Size differences in migrant sandpiper flocks: ghosts in ephemeral guilds

Summary Scolopacid sandpipers were studied from 1980 until 1984 during spring migration in North Dakota. Common species foraging together in mixed-species flocks differed in bill length most often by 20 to 30 percent (ratios from 1.2:1 to 1.3:1). Observed flocks were compared to computer generated flocks drawn from three source pools of Arctic-nesting sandpipers. The source pools included 51 migrant species from a global pool, 33 migrant species from a Western Hemisphere pool, and 13 species that migrated though North Dakota. The observed flocks formed randomly from the available species that used the North Dakota migration corridor but the North Dakota species were not a random selection from the Western Hemisphere and global pools of Arctic-nesting scolopacid sandpipers. In short, the ephemeral, mixed-species foraging flocks that we observed in North Dakota were random mixes from a nonrandom pool. The size-ratio distributions were consistent with the interpretation that use of this migration corridor by sandpipers has been influenced by some form of sizerelated selection such as competition.     

Low Foraging Success of Semipalmated Sandpipers at the Edges of Groups

Variation in foraging success in relation to spatial position in a group is little known in species that feed on mobile prey that can hide or flee upon disturbance by foragers. I examined the foraging success of individuals located either at the edge or at the centre of flocks of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) feeding on a burrowing amphipod (Corophium volutator) during migration stopover in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. The rates of pecking, prey capture and success were lower for individuals foraging at the edge than at the centre of flocks. Edge birds spent more time running and more time flying than centre birds. Edge birds moved away from the centre of the flock and made frequent short flights towards the centre. In contrast, centre birds rarely moved in a specific direction and flew mostly to relocate elsewhere with the whole flock. Sandpiper flocks foraged over a large area in a relatively short amount of time. In addition, amphipod density is high in this habitat. It thus appears unlikely that prey depletion or low food availability at the edges of groups could explain the spatial variation in foraging success. Low foraging success at the edges of flocks thus arose mainly because of time costs related to flock expansion and retraction. The effect of mutual interference among foragers and of predation risk by falcons is discussed with respect to flock expansion and retraction.     

Why migrate during the day: a comparative analysis of North American birds

Migration can take place primarily during the day or at night, or during both depending on the species. Why the timing of migration varies among species has been the object of much research but the underlying ecological processes are still unclear. Proximally, migration timing may be influenced by the timing of other activities or may be more prevalent in species that migrate over long distances. Adaptive scenarios emphasize the reduction in flight costs at night especially in smaller species and the advantages of travelling in groups during the day to locate staging sites more efficiently. I used phylogenetic independent contrasts to examine these hypotheses in all North American nesting birds. I uncovered 24 evolutionary transitions in migration timing, most of which involved a switch from nocturnal to diurnal migration. Few of these transitions involved a concomitant change in the timing of foraging habits or migration distance. However, species in diurnal clades were larger, travelled in larger flocks and were generally more sociable than their nocturnal counterparts. The results support the hypotheses that a reduction in flight costs and the ability to pool information from companions are associated with migration timing in North American bird species.     

Avian collision risk at an offshore wind farm

We have been the first to investigate whether long-lived geese and ducks can detect and avoid a large offshore wind farm by tracking their diurnal migration patterns with radar. We found that the percentage of flocks entering the wind farm area decreased significantly (by a factor 4.5) from pre-construction to initial operation. At night, migrating flocks were more prone to enter the wind farm but counteracted the higher risk of collision in the dark by increasing their distance from individual turbines and flying in the corridors between turbines. Overall, less than 1% of the ducks and geese migrated close enough to the turbines to be at any risk of collision.     

Importance of intraspecifically gregarious species in a tropical bird community

In both single- and mixed-species social groups, certain participants are known to play important roles in providing benefits. Identifying these participants is critical for understanding group dynamics, but is often difficult with large roving social groups in the wild. Here, we develop a new approach to characterize roles in social groups and apply it to mixed-species bird flocks (flocks hereafter) in an Indian tropical evergreen forest. Two types of species, namely intraspecifically gregarious and sallying species, are thought to play important roles in flocks because studies have shown they attract other flock participants. However, it is unclear why these types are attractive and whether they are essential for flock formation. We address these questions by focusing on the composition of the subset of flocks containing only two species each. In two-species flocks, it is reasonable to assume that at least one species obtains some kind of benefit. Therefore, only those species combinations that result in benefit to at least one species should occur as two-species flocks. Using data from 540 flocks overall, of which 158 were two-species flocks, we find that intraspecifically gregarious species are disproportionately represented in two-species flocks and always lead flocks when present, and that flocks containing them are joined significantly more by other species. Our results suggest that intraspecifically gregarious species are likely to be the primary benefit providers in flocks and are important for tropical flock formation. Our study also provides a new approach to understanding importance in other mixed-species and single-species social groups.     

THE MIGRATION OF RAPTORS AND STORKS THROUGH THE NEAR EAST IN AUTUMN

Between 1963 and 1965 three expeditions have investigated the autumn migration of raptors and storks, on two occasions in southeast Turkey, and once in Lebanon.
Nearly all the soaring birds leaving Europe by the Bosphorus cross Asia Minor and turn south at the Gulf of Iskenderun. The commonest of these migrants are White Stork Ciconia ciconia , Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus , and Eagles Aquila spp.
Other species such as Common Buzzard Buteo buteo are not usually seen crossing the Bosphorus, but occur in large numbers in the flocks seen south of the Gulf of Iskenderun. It is suggested that these are birds from Russia and north Turkey. Common Buzzards also occur on Cyprus in autumn, but their point of origin is not clear. Short-toed Eagles Circuetus gullicus and vultures join the migration from their breeding grounds in Turkey and the Levant.
Different species tend to migrate at different times of year. White Storks, Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus and Black Kites Milvus migruns move chiefly between late August and mid-September, while eagles Aquilu spp. start in late September and continue until November. Other species are intermediate, or spread their migration out over a longer period.
The volume of migration at different times of day is discussed. No general conclusions are possible but in 1964 a correlation was obtained between cloud cover and the start of the migration.     

Satelliten-Telemetrie beim Wei?storchCiconia ciconia: Wanderung eines Ost-Storchs westlich bis Nigeria

A male White Stork, for the first time equipped with a mini-transmitter operated by a solar battery, was tracked on the eastern migration route from E Germany to central African winter quarters and during part of the return migration, for a total distance of about 10 000 km. The individual moved westward into Nigeria, i.e. into the wintering area of western Storks. Since a number of other eastern Storks were tracked as far as Chad, the possibility is discussed that individuals migrating to central Africa along the eastern or western route may eventually return on the opposite route when attracted to flocks of the population from the other side of the migration divide. Some ringing recoveries are consistent with a U-shaped abmigration.     

Reproductive Biology of Rainbow Smelt Osmerus dentex (Osmeridae) of the Amur River

Journal of Ichthyology - Spawning flocks of rainbow smelt Osmerus dentex, in an anadromous migration in the Amur River were represented by individuals of length 15–25 cm at ages 3–5,...     

Enumeration of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. from poultry carcasses at the end of the slaughter-line

AIM: To enumerate Campylobacter on poultry carcasses at the end of the slaughter-line, and investigate the extent to which Campylobacter from a positive flock were transmitted to other flocks during slaughter. METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence (in caeca) and the level (from carcasses) of Campylobacter were determined. The isolates were fingerprinted by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). A total of three of 13 broiler flocks and three of four-layer flocks harboured caecal Campylobacter. Carcasses from the caeca-positive broiler flocks were Campylobacter positive with numbers ranging from 2.6 x 10(4) to 2.6 x 10(6) CFU per carcass. Two caeca-negative broiler flocks, slaughtered directly after the positive broiler flocks, had the first carcasses contaminated with Campylobacter, with numbers below 2 x 10(4) CFU per carcass of the same AFLP haplotypes as the preceding flock. Campylobacter was detected on carcasses from only one of the caeca-positive layer flocks in numbers below 2 x 10(4) CFU per carcass. No Campylobacter was detected on carcasses from a flock succeeding the positive-layer flocks. CONCLUSION: Carcasses from Campylobacter-positive broiler flocks were heavily contaminated with Campylobacter, and transmitted low levels of Campylobacter to carcasses from negative flocks, slaughtered directly after. Campylobacter-positive layer flocks had low numbers of Campylobacter on the carcasses. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results indicate limited cross-contamination of Campylobacter between flocks at the slaughterhouse, reducing the advantage of logistic slaughter.     

Specific features of in vivo and in vitro sperm storage in birds

This review focuses on some of the main features of sperm selection and storage in birds mainly on the basis of studies performed in poultry species, with emphasis on the initial selection of sperm at the female vagina level prior to migration towards the sperm storage tubules. Sperm originating from low-quality males or subjected to inappropriate in vitro storage conditions are rapidly discarded, resulting in impaired fertility in corresponding flocks. In the absence of accessible and appropriate technology for matching the 'storing' potential of sperm in the oviduct, conditions for prolonged sperm storage under a liquid (through the use of semen extenders) or a solid state (cryopreservation) have received only limited attention, despite their potential interest to facilitate male and female management in poultry flocks. Despite this, technology for short-term liquid storage is currently used in turkeys, guinea fowl and muscovy ducks and also in progress in chickens. In addition, technology for cryopreservation of avian semen has become available for some species (chicken, goose) to facilitate the management of genetic resources, including the preservation of rare and economically important breeds.     

Molecular tracking, through processing, of Campylobacter strains colonizing broiler flocks

Many of the poultry flocks produced in the United Kingdom are colonized with Campylobacter, and the intensive nature of poultry processing usually results in contaminated carcasses. In this study, a previously reported molecular oligonucleotide probe method was used to track a specific flock-colonizing strain(s) on broiler carcasses during processing in two United Kingdom commercial poultry processing plants. Five Campylobacter-positive flocks were sampled at four points along the processing line, postbleed, postpluck, prechill, and postchill, and two Campylobacter-negative flocks processed immediately after positive flocks were sampled prechill. flaA was sequenced from Campylobacter strains isolated from these flocks, and strain-specific probes were synthesized. Skin and cecal samples were plated onto selective agar to give individual colonies, which were transferred onto membranes. These were then hybridized with the strain- and genus-specific probes. For all the 5 positive flocks, there was a significant reduction in campylobacters postbleed compared to postpluck but no subsequent fall on sampling pre- and postchill, and the strain(s) predominating on the carcasses throughout processing came from the flock being processed. This indicates that strains from the abattoir environment were not a significant cause of carcass contamination in flocks with well-established campylobacter colonization. However, negative flocks that were preceded by positive flocks were contaminated by strains that did not generally originate from the predominating strains recovered from the ceca of the previous positive flocks. This suggests that the abattoir environment has a significant role in the contamination of carcasses from negative but not fully colonized flocks.     

Why migrate? A test of the evolutionary precursor hypothesis

The question of why birds migrate is still poorly understood despite decades of debate. Previous studies have suggested that use of edge habitats and a frugivorous diet are precursors to the evolution of migration in Neotropical birds. However, these studies did not explore other ecological correlates of migration and did not control for phylogeny at the species level. We tested the evolutionary precursor hypothesis by examining the extent to which habitat and diet are associated with migratory behavior, using a species-level comparative analysis of the Tyranni. We used both migratory distance and sedentary versus migratory behavior as response variables. We also examined the influences of foraging group size, membership in mixed-species flocks, elevational range, and body mass on migratory behavior. Raw species analyses corroborated some results from studies that put forth the evolutionary precursor hypothesis, but phylogenetically independent contrast analyses highlighted an important interaction between habitat and diet and their roles as precursors to migration. Foraging group size was consistently associated with migratory behavior in both raw species and independent contrast analyses. Our results lead to a resource variability hypothesis that refines the evolutionary precursor hypothesis and reconciles the results of several studies examining precursors to migration in birds.     

Distribution and migration of Mississippi Kites in South America

Mississippi Kites (Ictinia mississippiensis) are trans‐equatorial, long‐distance migrants that breed in North America and overwinter in South America. Information about their migration routes and winter distribution in the Neotropics is mostly anecdotal. By compiling records of Mississippi Kites in South America from the literature and previously unpublished observations (1904–2010), we identified 96 locality records (a location where a flock or individual was recorded) and 146 independent records of flocks (observations of flocks irrespective of year, location, or time of year). Our locality records included 38 (39%) during southbound migration (1 September–30 November), 18 (19%) during northbound migration (15 February–30 April), 38 (39%) during austral summer (1 December–14 February), and two (3%) during austral winter (1 May–31 August). Most Mississippi Kites (84, 88%) were observed between the 11°S and 32°S latitudinal band in central South America. Of our independent records of flocks, 133 (92%) were observed between 11°S and 32°S, 12 (7%) between 11°N and 10°S, and a lone vagrant (1%) between 33°S and 43°S. Our data suggest that Mississippi Kites are common and widespread in the austral summer between 11°S and 32°S in central South America. On the basis of the number of locality records (N = 52, 54%) and number of flocks of Mississippi Kites observed between 22°S and 32°S (N = 61, 42%), the Chaco forest appears to be the main wintering grounds for the species. However, additional monitoring is needed to further test this hypothesis. A large portion of Chaco habitat is now under cultivation, and how this habitat transformation might influence the annual cycle of Mississippi Kites is unknown.     

Long‐Distance Calling by the Willow Tit,Poecile montanus,Facilitates Formation of Mixed‐Species Foraging Flocks

The occurrence of mixed‐species foraging flocks is a worldwide phenomenon in terrestrial bird communities. Previous studies suggest that individuals participating in flocks might derive benefits in terms of improved feeding efficiency and/or reduced risk of predation. However, very little is known about how individuals establish mixed‐species flocks. Here, I provide the first experimental evidence that long‐distance calling by the willow tit, Poecile montanus, facilitates the establishment of mixed‐species flocks at a foraging patch. Observations at experimental foraging patches showed that willow tits that find a food source produce long‐distance calls, particularly when they are isolated from conspecific flockmates. The probability of long‐distance calling was negatively correlated with the number of heterospecific foraging individuals near the food source. A playback experiment confirmed that calls attract both conspecific and heterospecific members of foraging flocks. This study demonstrates that willow tits use long‐distance calls to attract conspecific flockmates to foraging patches, and these calls can also facilitate the formation of mixed‐species flocks on patches.     

Study on the epidemiology and control of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry broiler flocks.

Broiler flocks are frequently infected with Campylobacter jejuni. The origin of the infection is still unclear. The question of whether colonization of flocks results from transmission of C. jejuni from breeder flocks to progeny (vertical transmission) or from environmental sources (horizontal transmission) remains to be answered. Therefore, in this study samples were taken from successive broiler flocks in two broiler houses (house A on farm A and house B1 on farm B) as well as from the environment of the houses. All C. jejuni isolates were typed by using the Penner serotyping system, and part of the isolates from farm B were typed by using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-typing system. In poultry house A, C. jejuni was isolated from the first flock but not from subsequent flocks. In poultry house B1, C. jejuni strains of the same Penner serotypes and exhibiting identical DNA profiles were isolated from successive flocks. Infection of the flocks from a common source via horizontal pathways is suspected, while a vertical route of infection is not likely to exist. Application of measures to control horizontal transmission of C. jejuni on farm B was successful.     

Study on the epidemiology and control of Campylobacter jejuni in poultry broiler flocks.

Broiler flocks are frequently infected with Campylobacter jejuni. The origin of the infection is still unclear. The question of whether colonization of flocks results from transmission of C. jejuni from breeder flocks to progeny (vertical transmission) or from environmental sources (horizontal transmission) remains to be answered. Therefore, in this study samples were taken from successive broiler flocks in two broiler houses (house A on farm A and house B1 on farm B) as well as from the environment of the houses. All C. jejuni isolates were typed by using the Penner serotyping system, and part of the isolates from farm B were typed by using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-typing system. In poultry house A, C. jejuni was isolated from the first flock but not from subsequent flocks. In poultry house B1, C. jejuni strains of the same Penner serotypes and exhibiting identical DNA profiles were isolated from successive flocks. Infection of the flocks from a common source via horizontal pathways is suspected, while a vertical route of infection is not likely to exist. Application of measures to control horizontal transmission of C. jejuni on farm B was successful.     

Cryptosporidium in commercially produced turkeys on-farm and postslaughter

Aims:  To determine the presence of Cryptosporidium species in commercially produced turkey flocks on farm and postslaughter.
Methods and Results:  Three separate turkey flocks were sampled at a single farm and again postslaughter at a commercial processing facility. DNA was extracted and purified from faecal (farm) or caecal (postslaughter) samples and a fragment of 18S rDNA was amplified using a nested PCR approach. Amplified fragments were sequenced, aligned and a neighbour joining tree was constructed. Cryptosporidium meleagridis was not identified in any of the flocks tested. However, all flocks tested positive for Cryptosporidium parvum species. One of the flocks tested positive at the farm and postslaughter.
Conclusions:  While C. parvum was present in birds at the farm and postslaughter, turkeys at this facility are not likely to be a significant reservoir for this species.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  Cryptosporidium meleagridis infects avian and human hosts and is increasingly being recognized as a significant human pathogen. However, this study found no evidence of C. meleagridis in commercially produced turkeys at a single location.     

Is the Species Flock Concept Operational? The Antarctic Shelf Case

There has been a significant body of literature on species flock definition but not so much about practical means to appraise them. We here apply the five criteria of Eastman and McCune for detecting species flocks in four taxonomic components of the benthic fauna of the Antarctic shelf: teleost fishes, crinoids (feather stars), echinoids (sea urchins) and crustacean arthropods. Practical limitations led us to prioritize the three historical criteria (endemicity, monophyly, species richness) over the two ecological ones (ecological diversity and habitat dominance). We propose a new protocol which includes an iterative fine-tuning of the monophyly and endemicity criteria in order to discover unsuspected flocks. As a result nine « full » species flocks (fulfilling the five criteria) are briefly described. Eight other flocks fit the three historical criteria but need to be further investigated from the ecological point of view (here called « core flocks »). The approach also shows that some candidate taxonomic components are no species flocks at all. The present study contradicts the paradigm that marine species flocks are rare. The hypothesis according to which the Antarctic shelf acts as a species flocks generator is supported, and the approach indicates paths for further ecological studies and may serve as a starting point to investigate the processes leading to flock-like patterning of biodiversity.     

Comparison of performance,health and welfare aspects between commercially housed hatchery-hatched and on-farm hatched broiler flocks

On-farm hatching systems for broiler chicks are increasingly used in practice. We studied whether or not performance, health and welfare aspects differed between commercial flocks hatched on-farm or in a hatchery (control). In two successive production cycles on seven farms, a total of 16 on-farm hatched flocks were paired to 16 control flocks, housed at the same farm. Paired flocks originated from the same batch of eggs and were subjected to similar on-farm management. On-farm hatched and control flocks only differed with respect to hatching conditions, with on-farm hatched flocks not being exposed to, for example, chick handling, post-hatch feed and water deprivation and transport, in contrast to control flocks that were subjected to standard hatchery procedures, subsequently transported and placed in the poultry house. Day-old chick quality (navel and hock scores), 1^st week mortality, total mortality, BW at day (d) 0, d7 and at depopulation, and (total) feed conversion ratio were determined. Prevalence of footpad dermatitis, hock burn, breast discoloration/blisters and cleanliness, litter quality and gait score were determined at d21 of age and around depopulation (d39 on average). Gross pathology and gut morphology were examined at depopulation age in a sample of birds of five flocks per treatment. On-farm hatching resulted in a higher BW at d0 (Δ=5.4 g) and d7 (Δ=11.5 g) (P<0.001), but day-old chick quality as measured by navel (P=0.003) and hock (P=0.01) quality was worse for on-farm hatched compared to control birds. Body weight, 1^st week and total mortality, and feed conversion ratio at slaughter age were similar for both on-farm hatched and control flocks. On-farm hatched flocks had less footpad dermatitis (P=0.05), which indicated a better welfare. This was likely related to a tendency for better litter quality in on-farm hatched flocks at 21 days of age in comparison to control flocks (P=0.08). No major differences in gross pathology or in intestinal morphology at depopulation age were found between treatments. In conclusion, on-farm hatching resulted in better 1^st week broiler performance and better welfare compared to conventional hatching in a hatchery.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of thermophilic Campylobacter in organic and conventional broiler flocks

AIMS: To determine the flock prevalence and to estimate the within flock prevalence of Campylobacter in broiler flocks from different rearing systems, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Campylobacter isolates to selected antimicrobial substances. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and sixty broiler flocks originating from organic, conventional and extensive indoor production farms were investigated for the presence of Campylobacter at the time of slaughter. Campylobacter isolates from a subsample of positive flocks were subjected to susceptibility testing. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 100% of organic broiler flocks, from 36.7% of conventional broiler flocks and from 49.2% of extensive indoor broiler flocks. Six of 62 Campylobacter isolates were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the special characteristics of organic broiler production provide a high prevalence of Campylobacter-positive flocks. Antimicrobial resistance was scarce among Campylobacter isolates from all rearing systems. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Organic broiler flocks constitute a strong potential for introduction of Campylobacter to the processing line upon arrival at slaughter.