Some observations on the histology of oesophagus of crimsonbreasted barbet, Megalaima haemacephala, and whitebreasted kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis.

Histological observations were made on the oesophagus of 2 birds showing different feeding habits. The birds taken for study included frugivorous form, M. haemacephala and H. smyrnensis, which is primarily piscivorous. Various histological modifications such as relative development of mucosal folds, mucous-secreting glands and musculature have been shown to be correlated with the specific feeding habits of the birds.     

西藏墨脱发现猛隼和白胸翡翠

正2013年10月至11月在岗日噶布山脉南翼山脉(即西藏自治区墨脱县境内),观察记录到猛隼(Falco severus)和白胸翡翠(Halcyon smyrnensis),经查阅以往文献,这两种鸟应为西藏自治区鸟类新纪录。10月31日至11月4日,在墨脱县德兴乡德兴大桥(29°19'23.21″N,95°17'29.23″E,海拔722 m)观察到猛隼2只,分别为黑色和栗红色,体型小于其他隼类,翅膀较长,尾较短;胸腹部为栗红色,区别于其他隼属鸟类(图1a)。11月2日对猛隼的捕食行为进行了观察。其休息时停于德兴大桥旁的枯树上,捕食时飞至空中,然后迅速     

Are levels of digestive enzyme activity related to the natural diet in passerine birds?

Digestive capabilities, such as the rates nutrient hydrolysis and absorption, may affect energy intake and ultimately feeding behavior. In birds, a high diversity in gut biochemical capabilities seems to support the existence of a correlation between the morphology and physiology of the intestinal tract and chemical features of the natural diet. However, studies correlating the activity of digestive enzymes and the feeding habits at an evolutionary scale are scarce. We investigated the effect of dietary habits on the digestive physiological characteristics of eight species of passerine birds from Central Chile. The Order Passeriformes is a speciose group with a broad dietary spectrum that includes omnivorous, granivorous and insectivorous species. We measured the activity of three enzymes: maltase, sucrase and aminopeptidase-N. Using an autocorrelation analysis to remove the phylogenetic effect, we found that dietary habits had no effect on enzymatic activity. However, we found that granivorous and omnivorous species had higher levels of disaccharidase activities and insectivores had the lowest. The major difference in enzymatic activity found at the inter-specific level, compared to the reported lower magnitude of enzyme modulation owing to dietary acclimation, suggests that these differences to some extent have a genetic basis. However, the lack of a clear association between diet categories and gut physiology suggested us that dietary categorizations do not always reflect the chemical composition of the ingested food.     

6种猛禽消化系统的比较研究

对6种猛禽(普通鵟Buteo buteo、毛脚鵟B.lagopus、红隼Falco tinnunculus、长耳鸮Asio otus、短耳鸮A.flammeus和鸮Bubo bubo)的消化系统形态结构进行了解剖测量和比较,以了解鸟类消化系统形态结构与食性的关系.结果显示,长耳鸮的消化管最长,是体长的2.08倍;鸮的消...     

Blood of the common indian weaver birds Ploceus philippinus and Ploceus benghalensis (Linnaeus).

The blood contents of two common Indian weaver birds, Ploceus philippinus and Ploceus benghalensis have been studied. Morphology of RBC and WBC, total differential count, the number of RBC and WBC, Hb contents, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ESR, haemin crystal structures, coagulation and prothrombin time, glucose and cholesterol contents were calculated and compared with the haematological data recorded for other birds and vertebrates. Variation with respect to length and breadth of the erythrocytes and length of the nucleus of the RBC were also discussed. Males have higher RBC number and Hb content in these birds. The mean RBC number and Hb content were also more than in fishes, amphibians and reptiles but little less than in man. The RBC number for males of both the species do not differ significantly but the Hb contents in males and females of P. benghalensis differ significantly but this was not found in P. philippinus. Again the Hb content in male of both the species differ significantly but this was not true in females. Like Passer and Columba large number of polymorphs and lymphocytes were present but only a few basophils was observed in most of the slide preparations. No special type of haemin crystals were observed in any sex of both the species. The coagulation time was more than Passer and Columba but less than in man. There was also no marked difference in both the species with respect to prothrombin time. In both the species blood glucose was more in female than male but there was no marked difference in both the species.     

A histochemical and immunohistochemical study of digestive enzymes and hormones during the larval development of the sea bream, Sparus aurata L.

Summary The distribution of different hydrolytic enzymes and the localization of the hormones which regulate glucose metabolism during development of the digestive tract of the sea bream, Sparus aurata L., were studied. The yolk sac contains trypsin, glucose-6-phosphatase, ATPases and acid and alkaline phosphatase activities. Positive insulin, glucagon and somatostatin cells were observed in the pancreas and in the lumen of the intestinal tract during endogenous feeding. From hatching until 3 days later, the digestive tract of sea bream larvae shows no enzymatic activities. During exogenous feeding, the activities of the phosphatases and trypsin generally increase, as do the amounts of the hydrolytic enzymes and trypsin, as well as the pancreatic and intestinal hormones. The enzymatic activities gradually decrease from the anterior part towards the posterior part of the digestive tract.     

The ecology of skylarks on arable farmland

Skylarks are common birds on arable farmland throughout Britain and have recently been implicated in grazing damage to sugar-beet seedlings in Eastern England. Their feeding habits and their relationship to variations in food supplies were described.     

Testosterone accelerates the onset of photorefractoriness in baya weaver Ploceus philippinus.

The baya weaver Ploceus philippinus, despite its purely tropical origin and tropical/subtropical distribution, exhibits all features of a typically photoperiodic species. The onset of reproduction in this species is triggered by increasing daylength and breeding is terminated by the development of distinct photorefractory phase. In order to ascertain the involvement of androgens in the development of photorefractoriness the long day response of birds was tested after a prior exposure to varied doses of testosterone. Testosterone treatment accelerated the onset of photorefractoriness as judged from the gonadal status, LH-dependent yellow plumage and testosterone-dependent beak pigmentation. While gonadal development and yellow plumage occurred in the control birds due to the stimulatory long photoperiod, the testosterone administered birds failed to show such developments. These findings indicate that testosterone might impair the higher photoresponding mechanisms resulting in the development of photorefractoriness.     

Birds and their food resources at Christchurch International Airport,New Zealand

The diversity and seasonal abundance of birds at Christchurch Airport, their food and feeding habits, and the phenology of the food resource were studied in 1968–69 as part of an investigation of the bird hazard to aircraft. The birds either fed and roosted on the airport or flew over or close to it. Seasonal trends in the diet of black‐backed gulls (Larus dominicanus), black‐billed gulls (L. bulleri), starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen hypoleuca) were determined by examining the gizzard contents of birds shot while they were feeding on the airfield. Marked food preferences were noticeably lacking, except that black‐backed gulls fed exclusively on earthworms. Black‐billed gulls, starlings, and magpies took a variety of insects, earthworms, arachnids, and, to a less extent, seeds. Species diversity, seasonal distribution, and abundance of invertebrates and seeds showed that the birds were opportunist feeders on a succession of temporarily abundant food, and their presence on the airfield was determined largely by the availability of invertebrates and seeds.     

不同食性野生鸟类肠道微生物研究进展

肠道微生物是庞大而多样的微生物群落,通过促进营养摄取、宿主防御、免疫调节等,在维持机体健康方面起着至关重要的作用。宿主外部或内部环境的任何变化都会影响肠道微生物的组成,鸟类具有复杂的生活史和多样化的食性,飞翔生活使它们的生理活动面临更大的选择性压力,导致肠道微生物菌群的变化更加复杂。近年来,随着基因测序技术的发展以及对鸟类肠道微生物研究的日益重视,导致了鸟类肠道微生物研究呈指数增长。但目前的研究主要以家禽为主,野生鸟类肠道微生物报道则相对较少。野生鸟类肠道微生物结构变化及其维持机制等的研究仍处于起步阶段,有较大的研究空间。从植食性、肉食性、杂食性三种食性的鸟类肠道微生物组成及特点、影响因素等方面对前人的文献进行了全面梳理,以期为野生鸟类肠道微生物研究提供参考。总的来说,植食性鸟类肠道微生物多样性最低,以高丰度的变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）为主;而杂食性鸟类肠道微生物多样性最高。遗传、生活史特征、人类活动、城市化、圈养行为等对鸟类肠道微生物的组成具有显著性的影响。     

Enzymatic and functional analysis of a protein phosphatase, Pph3, from Myxococcus xanthus

A protein phosphatase, designated Pph3, from Myxococcus xanthus showed the enzymatic characteristics of PP2C-type serine/threonine protein phosphatases, which are metal ion-dependent, okadaic acid-insensitive protein phosphatases. The pph3 mutant under starvation conditions formed immature fruiting bodies and reduced sporulation.     

Pb and Cd accumulation and phyto-excretion by salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge)

The accumulation and excretion of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by salt cedar (Tamarix smyrnensis Bunge) were investigated in this study. Tamarix smyrnensis plants were exposed to the mixtures of Pb and Cd and high salinity for 10 wk. Subsequently, Pb and Cd uptake was quantified in the shoots and roots of the plants by ICP-AES. In addition, physiological parameters such as biomass production, shoot length, plant appearance, and chlorophyll content were examined. The roots accumulated the highest amount of Pb. Salinity was found to not have an important effect on Pb translocation to the leaves. Cd was translocated into the aerial part in a higher portion than Pb. Cd content in leaves of T. smyrnensis increased with the increasing salinity. The visible toxicity symptoms, if present, were connected only to the high salinity. The excretion of Pb and Cd by salt glands was observed and quantified. T. smyrnensis excreted a significant amount of metals on the leaf surface. This characteristic of salt cedar plants can be viewed as a novel phytoremediation process for the remediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals that we have termed "phyto-excretion."     

西藏南部8种鸟类的新分布记录

2016年9和10月,在西藏自治区林芝及日喀则开展鸟类多样性调查期间新记录到8种鸟类,包括白胸翡翠指名亚种(Halcyon smyrnensis smyrnensis)、黑冠山雀指名亚种(Periparus rubidiventris rubidiventris)和栗腹?指名亚种(Sitta cinnamoventris cinnamoventris)、斑尾鹃鸠(Macropygia unchall)、红喉姬鹟(Ficedula albicilla)、黄胸柳莺(Phylloscopus cantator)、棕脸鹟莺(Abroscopus albogularis)以及田鹨(Anthus richardi)。     

Harvesting of Onion Grass,Romulea rosea L. by Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo,Cacatua galerita Latham

The harvesting of Onion Grass (Romulea rosea) corms by flocks of Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is well known. Individual birds and large flocks feed on the weed in pastures, grasslands and recreational turf. Flocks of Sulphur‐crested Cockatoo were observed feeding on Onion Grass at seven sites along the Maribyrnong River at Keilor, Victoria. Flock size and feeding habits were noted, as were the depth of corms, the time taken to remove corms from the ground and the number of eaten and lifted but uneaten corms. From the data collected, it was estimated that an individual bird can extract and eat about 200 plants per hour and that even a small flock can consume several thousand plants in a feeding session. Corms were typically within 20 mm of the soil surface and were removed primarily by the cockatoo with its beak, but the left foot was sometimes used to excavate the corm from the soil. Flock feeding sessions lasted from about 0.5 to 2.5 hours, but feeding by individual or pairs of birds was often shorter. Plants that had been removed from the soil appeared to have intact corms, but all that was left were the outer scales. Of the plants removed from the soil, only 6% had intact corms attached. The removal of large numbers of Onion Grass plants could impact on their population numbers over time if there was repeated annual harvesting.     

Habitat partitioning and antagonistic behaviour amongst the birds of a West African scrub and plantation plot

A study was made of feeding patterns and antagonistic behaviour amongst 11 common bird species frequenting an abandoned rubber plantation and scrub plot in southern Nigeria.
The examination of feeding patterns involved a comparison of foraging habits and an analysis of the use made by each species of the major vertical and horizontal subdivisions of the habitat. Two species of muscicapid flycatchers showed a striking similarity, both in foraging habits and their use of the major habitat zones. In general, however, species with otherwise similar foraging habits were found to feed in habitat zones which were spatially separated.
A number of these latter species showed antagonistic reactions to one another. However, unlike most reported instances of such behaviour in birds, neither species in the pairs we observed played a consistently dominant role. Dominance was usually shown by whichever individual made most use, for feeding purposes, of the encounter zone.
Under these circumstances it seems possible that interspecific antagonism allows species to adjust to local variations in habitat structure and to capitalise on the temporary absence of potential competitors. In which case it is more appropriate to regard this type of behaviour as an important component in the process of habitat partitioning, rather than to dismiss it as an activity which will ultimately be rendered redundant in the course of evolution.     

The passage and propagation of fecal indicator phages in birds

The presence of F-specific phages in the diet of birds influenced the presence of these fecal indicators in their feces. F-specific phage concentrations in the feces of Canada geese and pigeons, which are normally low, increased greatly the same day coliphage MS2 was added to their diets. F-specific phage concentrations decreased to the original low levels a week after the phage-spiked feed was removed. Geese kept in pens that were cleaned regularly to reduce fecal-oral contamination had significantly lower somatic coliphage concentrations in their feces than wild geese had in their feces. Somatic coliphage concentrations in feces of feral pigeons were typically low with an occasional fecal sample having high numbers of either one of the two types of phages seen in this population of birds. Sometimes many birds had high numbers of only one type of phage in their feces. This lasted only a day and was probably due to fecal contamination of the feeding pans by the pigeons. The degree to which birds are a source of phage indicators of fecal pollution can change in a short period of time. Thus the presence of contaminated feeding sites should be considered before ruling out animals as a possible source of fecal indicators. F-specific phages may be useful tracers for modeling viral transmission and tracking feeding habits in birds. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 127–131. Received 06 July 1999/ Accepted in revised form 07 November 1999     

Diet of stone martens: an example of ecological flexibility

The feeding ecology of the stone marten in a rural area of Central Italy was assessed by faecal analysis. Habitat analysis, performed through a Geographical Information System, and intensive radio-tracking allowed us to investigate intra-population variations of diet in relation to habitat. The species'feeding habits were opportunistic: fruit and berries were the staple diet but mammals and birds were also important. Diet varied seasonally in relation to resource availability, with a predominance of fruit in autumn and frequent presence of insects in summer. Individuals living in adjacent areas but in different habitats (wooded and rural) showed significant variations of diet, adapting their feeding habits to local availability of foods. The great adaptability of the stone marten to very different resource conditions can represent a key to the species'success through its wide range.     

棕胸竹鸡觅食行为的观察

对笼养条件下棕胸竹鸡（Bambusicola fytchii fytchii）每日的觅食节律的时间、频次、求偶取食行为和社群等级之间的关系进行了观察。结果表明：影响棕胸竹鸡觅食行为的主要因素是一天中它在地面上活动、静栖、游走及饮水等项行为所占时间的长短。影响求偶取食行为的主要因素是它在地面上活动的总时间和理羽、攻击及其它的求偶活动所占的时间多少。社群等级对棕胸竹鸡的觅食行为有一定的影响,但不甚显著。     

Ants as a Major Food Source of the Chough

Few birds are more captivating in their behaviour, more exciting in their aerial manoeuvres, than the Chough, a species now restricted to the wilder parts of our western coasts. This field study of its specialised feeding habits shows how closely its future welfare may depend upon the continuance of a grazing regime on islands and headlands within its range.     

Black-backed jackal diet at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana

We examined the feeding habits of black‐backed jackals at Mokolodi Nature Reserve, Botswana, by analysing 237 scats collected between November 1995 and February 1997. Jackal dietary habits reflected the availability of a wide variety of food items and the differential vulnerability of prey. Potential animal and plant food available to jackals varies throughout the year because of its seasonal character. Seasonality of prey occurrence in scats was pronounced for small mammals, miscellaneous fruits and invertebrates. Across all seasons, mammals were the most common food resource (32.4%, n = 168), followed by anthropogenic items (14.8%), fruits (12.9%), invertebrates (10.8%), birds (8.5%), unidentified items (3.5%) and reptiles (1.4%). The presence of domestic mammals and poultry remains in scats reveals their importance in the diet of jackals and the tendency of jackals to frequent human settlements in search of food. Some ecological implications of jackal dietary habits are also explored.