This work provides the first confirmed evidence of successful inland breeding of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) in the AlUla region of northwestern Saudi Arabia, significantly expanding the known breeding range and population size of this globally threatened ("Vulnerable") species. Surveys conducted across six nature reserves and six areas rich in biodiversity between 2023 and 2024 documented at least 38 breeding pairs, primarily concentrated in the Sharaan National Park, with additional pairs observed in Gharameel Nature Reserve and Wadi Nakhlah Nature Reserve. Breeding behaviours, including courtship, copulation, territorial nest defence, hunting, and the successful fledging of juveniles, were predominantly observed either on top of small inselbergs or on steep sandstone cliffs and rocky escarpments, highlighting the suitability of these habitats, which are widespread throughout the AlUla region. This newly identified population represents nearly 2% of the estimated global breeding population of the species, underscoring the conservation significance of this discovery. The findings demonstrate the ecological adaptability of the Sooty Falcon to arid inland environments and emphasize the critical role of conservation areas, such as those established by the Royal Commission for AlUla, in safeguarding and enhancing core habitats and protecting populations of threatened raptors. Further research and long-term monitoring are essential to refine population estimates, understand species ecology, habitat suitability, and inform adaptive conservation strategies.
Five (2 juvenile, 3 adult) Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) were tracked in 2021 and 2022 on their southward migration. Falcons made stopovers along their migratory route where food may have been abundant, but potentially exposed themselves to heightened risks associated with those locations. Juveniles made inland and (SE African) coastal stopovers. Adults did not make inland stopovers, but two did stopover at the coast before crossing to Madagascar. Inland stopovers (n=6) constituted up to 51.4% of migration time of juveniles. Inland and coastal stopovers (n=10) were 42.9-79.4% of southward migration time. Mean duration of inland stopovers was 9.3 +/- 7.7 days, 18.0 +/- 8.5 days for coastal stopovers. 50% utilization distribution isopleths of inland stops covered 8,437 +/- 8,674 km2, and 53,638 +/- 18,672 km2 for coastal stops. The most important habitats were Shrubland, Tree cover, and Grassland. We found no link between weather and stopover behaviour, whether inland or on the coast. The data identify the location of stopovers, and suggest their relative importance for feeding and potential for heightened risks, at least in the years of tracking. Analysing data from a larger sample over more years, coupled with information on prey (e.g. locusts and Quelea) and threats (e.g. pesticide use) would clarify the ecological role of migratory stopovers, potential areas of risk, and enable targeted conservation action.
Ventotene Island, a small Mediterranean island off the Latium coast (Central Italy), is an important stopover site for several migratory bird species. The migration pathways of these species have been largely studied with classical approaches, such as bird ringing activities, bio-logging, isotope studies, and radar networks. The latest methodological approaches involve bioacoustics analyses (i.e. sonogram analyses), making advantage of the availability of new low-cost ARUs (Autonomous Recording Units) technology. However, although bird species are known to emit breeding and non-breeding vocalizations during migrations, scientific knowledge on these vocalizations is still scarce, particularly in insular stop-over areas. In this study, 54 field surveys were carried out on Ventotene Island during the early spring migration season (April 2024), following a recording protocol of 10-min per sample-point on different day-hours. Three surveys were carried out for each sample-point, resulting in a total of 540 minutes (9 hours) of audio-recording. The vocalizations of the bird species were identified through acoustic and visual sonogram analyses and categorized by their structural similarity. A total of 19 bird species were identified from the audio-recordings. Among them, Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto), European Serin (Serinus serinus), Sardinian Warbler (Curruca melanocephala), Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) were the most frequently contacted. The majority of bird vocalizations consisted of alarm and social calls, while reproductive songs were recorded for nine species: Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), Eurasian Blackbird (Turdus merula), Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus), Common Whitethroat (C. communis), Sardinian Warbler, European Serin, Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava). The results of this study highlight the potential of bioacoustics as a promising and non-invasive tool for detecting the presence of both migratory and sedentary bird species during spring migration. However, future research should aim to refine recording protocols and field survey techniques, as well as compare the effectiveness of bioacoustics monitoring with other established methods.
Scavengers perform crucial ecological role by consuming animal carrion and thereby controlling the spread of harmful diseases. In recent decades, vulture species populations have declined across Southeast Asia due to anthropogenic disturbances such as indirect poisoning, land-use change, electrocution and shortage of carrions. This study was conducted aiming to assess the distribution, abundance, and habitat evaluation of Asian vultures in Kaligandaki Corridor, Nepal. Field observations were conducted through the birding routes, visit of nesting and roosting sites and fixed-point surveys. A questionnaire survey was also done to identify people's perception of the status and threats on Asian vultures. In total, 99 individuals representing five vulture species were recorded in total 21 observation points along the Kaligandaki River Corridor (57 individuals in 12 different points during the summer visit and 42 individuals in nine different points during the winter visit). Remarkably only two species, White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), were recorded at Khaireni Community Forest (KCF) with a total of 63 individuals (37 individuals in summer and 26 in winter). Vulture sightings and abundance were relatively higher during summer than in winter. The White-rumped Vulture was the most abundant species and Red-headed Vulture was found to be the least abundant species recorded in both seasons in the study area. Only the nest of White-rumped Vulture was observed at KCF. Simal (Bombax ceiba) was found to be the most used tree species for nesting by vultures. Vultures were found in highest densities in the forest habitat followed by agricultural land, riverbank, settlements and rocky areas. Distance to water, distance to forest and distance to agricultural land showed positive association with abundance of vulture in summer whereas distance to settlement land, distance to Vulture Safe Feeding Sites (VSFS) showed significant association to abundance of vulture species during winter. Food scarcity, habitat loss, lack of conservation awareness, use of chemicals and hunting were some of the threats for population decline of vultures in the area. For the long-term conservation of vulture species, community-based conservation programs, awareness campaigns and provision of economic incentives to local people should be conducted in all its range areas by government authority and concerned organizations.
The main objective of this study was to improve understanding of the distribution and breeding areas of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) in Egypt, in support of the implementation of the International Action Plan for the species. Between August 2023 and November 2024, we conducted a census of Sooty Falcon breeding colonies in the Egyptian Red Sea Islands, the White Desert, South Sinai, and the Nile Valley. Breeding pairs were counted, and nests were recorded where possible. We documented 182 breeding pairs in the Eastern Desert and Red Sea Islands, 123 pairs in the Western Desert, 20 pairs in South Sinai, and five pairs in the Nile Valley. In 2024, a previously unknown breeding colony was discovered in the Dakhla Oasis, comprising approximately 15 breeding pairs. A very small proportion of the population appears to reside in Egypt year-round, although their exact numbers remain poorly known. At Red Sea colonies, we recorded field evidence of breeding activity, including pellets and plucked feathers. In addition, a transitional-phase individual was observed during the first week of April near the Hamata mangrove. Securing long-term funding is essential to ensure the continuation of annual surveys, the exploration of additional potential breeding areas, and the effective monitoring of Sooty Falcon populations in Egypt. Such efforts will contribute to more accurate population estimates and improved assessment of distributional trends and conservation status.
Between 1995 and 2024, during a long term population monitoring of partially migratory Common Kestrels in Hungary, we identified potential second brooding pairs on several occasions. In 2020, we were able to conclusively prove the occurrence of second broods within the same breeding season. Following these findings, in 2023, during an exceptionally strong vole outbreak year, we identified the commencement of second broods in several waves. In 2023, a total of 379 Common Kestrel breeding attempts were observed, of which 42 involved second broods. While replacement broods were exclusively identified in closed kestrel-specific nesting boxes, second broods occurred both in artificial colonies and solitary sites, with breeding taking place in kestrel-designed nest boxes, as well as three cases in natural nests. In our study, we found that after a mild winter and a food-rich year, the earliest breeders were those that later attempted a second brood. Second-breeder Common Kestrels did not search for alternative nesting sites, and without exception, they reused the same nest used for their first brood. It is noteworthy that most second-brooding pairs started laying eggs for their second clutch before the young from the first clutch had actually fledged, meaning there was overlap between the two breeding attempts. On average, the initiation of the second clutch occurred two days earlier than the fledging of the last chick from the first clutch. Our observations suggest that Common Kestrels engage in second broods as an active strategy to enhance their reproductive success, rather than as a compensatory response to a low-success first clutch. We provide recommendations for adjustments in the monitoring of rodent-hunting raptor species that may exhibit similar adaptive responses.
Urban wetlands and modified riverine systems are vital yet vulnerable habitats for waterbirds. This study explores the feeding ecology of Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), a key bioindicator species, in a modified riverine wetland in Patna, India. A detailed observation on Black-winged Stilt (BWS) foraging behaviour was conducted across five sites during January-March 2025. We also assessed the microhabitat characteristics, water quality, and prey availability. The spatial and temporal variation in BWS abundance and feeding activity, prey selection, and their correlations with environmental parameters (nutrient concentration and water depth) and the impact of human disturbance was investigated. BWS showed a strong preference for shallow (5-10 cm), highly eutrophic sites (nitrate = 3.25 +/- 0.14 mg/L, phosphate = 2.63 +/- 0.16 mg/L), which correlated with high densities of Chironomus larvae, Tubifex and Moina. Pecking was the dominant foraging technique (72%), with activity peaking in the early morning. These findings highlight the BWS's adaptability and bioindicator potential in urban environments. Conservation efforts should prioritize maintaining critical microhabitats, regulating disturbances, and promoting community engagement for sustainable avifaunal conservation.
Parental infanticide followed by cannibalism remains a relatively understudied phenomenon, particularly among birds of prey. This behaviour, where parents kill their own offspring, is often considered an adaptive strategy for brood reduction in response to limited food availability during chick-rearing. In this brief report, we describe a case of siblicide followed by parental infanticide and cannibalism observed in a Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nest, monitored via webcam in Nebrodi Regional Park, Sicily (Italy). Using video footage from the entire breeding attempt, we documented the sequence of events in detail, including prey deliveries, feeding frequency for each chick, and the number and intensity of aggressive interactions from hatching to the chicks' deaths. Our analysis suggests that the primary driver of this behavior was a severe shortage of food, likely linked to adverse weather conditions during the nesting period. We conclude that the infanticide and subsequent cannibalism were a result of insufficient prey provisioning caused by unfavorable climatic factors.
The Guinea Savanna ecosystem in Nigeria is facing unprecedented threats from land use changes, which can have far-reaching consequences for the distribution of birds. This study employed remote sensing techniques to analyze land use changes retrospectively and predicted their future impacts on avifauna distribution in the Guinea Savanna region of Nigeria. Landsat imagery from 1982 to 2022 was used to assess land use changes, while the percentage average rate of change equation was employed to predict future changes. Point count method was used to record bird species in four stratified habitats: forest, woodland, grassland and riverside, which were identified as sites being mostly affected by anthropogenic activities. Sampling was done on four points within the four habitats of four selected sites of the region, making a total of 64 sampling points, for a period of two years (2023 and 2024). Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) was used to relate land use types with avifauna distribution. Our results indicated significant changes in land use, with a 50% increase in agricultural land and a 60% decrease in forest, among others like built-up areas and woodland deforestation. The result of the CCA showed the 20 most abundant bird species with clear-cut preference to a particular land use type, which predicted that future land use changes will lead to significant declines in the distribution of several bird species. We identified areas of high conservation value and recommended proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of future land use changes on avifauna distribution in the region.
The Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) is a distinctive wader of high-altitude river systems associated with shingle beds and braided glacial rivers of the Himalayan landscape. Understanding its activity time budget is crucial for elucidating behavioural strategies that facilitate survival in its challenging environment. This study investigates the diurnal activity patterns of Ibisbill across a seasonal gradient, emphasizing foraging, maintenance, vigilance, and locomotion behaviours. Ibisbill was found to spend the majority of time on foraging activity (50%), followed by resting (27%), locomotion (10%), others (7%), and alertness (6%). Annual activity time budget sowed no significant difference, however, seasonal data revealed that the bird spent most of its time on foraging during winter season (60.55 +/- 1.15) and minimum in spring (41.78 +/- 1.42) season. The locomotion time also varied among the seasons with maximum locomotion (14.36 +/- 0.17) in summer and minimum in spring season (6.16 +/- 0.6%). Diurnal rhythm of foraging activity showed a maximum peak in the morning hours (08:00 to 10:00) whereas in winter, the maximum peak was observed in the afternoon (12:00 to 15:00) associating with ice melting along river edges. This study enhances understanding of the behavioural ecology of Ibisbill, providing critical insights into habitat use and activity patterns that are essential for developing effective long-term conservation and management strategies in high-altitude riverine ecosystems.
Long-lived and late-maturing top predators, such as the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), require long-term studies to collect meaningful data on trends in breeding density and productivity and on the effectiveness of conservation actions under large changes in food supplies and human pressure. The study of a remote population of a maximum of 11 pairs in SE Bulgaria detected changes in breeding density and productivity over three periods between 1988 and 2024. Breeding density gradually decreased from 5.3 to 3.4 pairs/1000 km2 corresponding to a 36.4% drop in the number of breeding pairs. The population's reproductive performances declined most between 1993 and 2005 and improved between 2012 and 2024 but without reaching levels seen in 1988-1992. These changes corresponded to the loss of previous food sources in the 1990s: a steep decline in livestock carrion during the winter months and a reduction in the main prey, tortoises, during the warmer half of the year leading a major dietary shift in prey sources. The analyzed characteristics of nesting mountain slopes and nest trees can inform management and conservation of the Golden Eagles. The declining population has an uncertain future due to the high mortality of adult eagles and their replacement by subadult mates in 57% of the pairs after 2020. The replacement of subadult mates with new subadults every 2.2 years on average was most likely caused by illegal shooting and poisoning.
Wetlands in Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India, represent vital habitats for migratory and resident waterbirds along the East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian Flyways. This study assessed waterbird diversity across 11 lotic and lentic wetlands from 2020 to 2025, analysing species richness, abundance, and diversity indices. Using modified total count methods, 78 species were recorded, with Durgapur Barrage and Burnpur Riverside showing the highest abundance and richness, respectively. Alpha-diversity indices revealed significant site-level variations, while beta-diversity analyses highlighted distinct species compositions, particularly at species-poor sites like Nachan Dam. Cluster analysis grouped sites based on species abundance, revealing both ecological similarity and distinctiveness. The widespread dominance of Lesser Whistling-Duck and localized records of rare species such as Falcated Duck and Common Merganser underscore the conservation significance of both high- and low-diversity wetlands. The findings stress the importance of a landscape-scale conservation strategy integrating habitat heterogeneity, anthropogenic impacts, and flyway connectivity. Long-term monitoring and habitat-specific management are essential to ensure the ecological integrity of these transitional wetlands during rapid urban and industrial expansion.
A comparative study was conducted to assess the species composition, diversity and abundance of avifauna in and around two contrasting oxbow lakes from lower Gangetic delta of West Bengal, India: Purbasthali lake (PL) and Hansadanga lake (HL). Comprehensive avian surveys were carried out for one year (January 2024 to December 2024) using fixed-radius point count method, followed by some analytical approaches. PL supported a markedly richer avian assemblage, with 82 species across 23 families, compared with 45 species across 19 families in HL. Family-level dominance also differed, as Anatidae dominated PL, while Ardeidae prevailed in HL, as reflected in Relative Diversity (RDi) values. Both lakes were dominated by carnivores, with transitional-zone species most frequent, especially in PL. Species richness and diversity were highest during post-monsoon months in both the lakes due to influx of migratory waterbirds. Winter migrants were more abundant in PL (51.2% of species) compared to HL (28.9%). Diversity indices and multivariate community analyses further demonstrated that PL, owing to its semi-lotic hydro-environmental condition, supports richer and more functionally diverse bird communities with greater migrant abundance than the closed-lentic HL. The current findings emphasize the ecological significance of semi-lotic oxbow lakes like PL as vital refuges for migratory and threatened waterbirds in the lower Gangetic delta, warranting strengthened conservation and management. In contrast, the degraded condition of closed-lentic oxbow lakes such as HL highlights the urgent need for ecological restoration and sustainable interventions to enhance their capacity to support diverse bird assemblages.
Urban and riparian habitats play distinct roles in supporting avian biodiversity amidst urbanization. This study compares bird assemblages in urban academic campuses and riparian zones along the Ganges River in Patna, Bihar, India, from February to April 2025. Using point count surveys, 62 bird species were recorded. Urban academic campuses (e.g. Patna Science College) were found to have higher species richness than the riparian zones. Probable reason could be greater anthropogenic disturbances in riparian areas (ghats). Cotton tree (Bombax ceiba) served as a keystone species in both the habitats, supporting diverse avian assemblages. Heron species showed nesting preferences for sacred fig (Ficus religiosa) and cluster fig (Ficus racemosa) in urban campuses and mango tree (Mangifera indica) and royal poinciana (Delonix regia) in riparian zones. These findings underscore the need for urban planning to mitigate anthropogenic impacts in riparian zones and preserve green spaces on academic campuses for avian conservation.
The national conservation status of the globally threatened Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Armenia was last updated in 2009, and there is an obvious need to revise it. The data collected in 2022-2024 show that there are 39-43 breeding pairs of Egyptian Vulture in Armenia, while its population trend declined by 25% in the years between 2003-2024 (p<0.01), which equals a decrease of 48% in 40 years (three generations of the species). The Area of Occupancy is 976 km(2), and the Extent of Occurrence is 19,024 km2. The species' national conservation status is marginal between the categories of Vulnerable and Endangered; however, the existing conservation measures remain insufficient for either category. To improve the status of the species, it is necessary to mitigate hazardous waste management policy, to secure proper Environmental Impact Assessments of construction and other developments in the buffer zones of known nests, and to restrict outdoor activities, including drone filming or photography in the same buffer zones in the breeding season, to review the policy on burial of dead cattle, and to study the influence of electric infrastructure on Egyptian Vultures. The implementation of conservation measures should be accompanied by continuous monitoring with minimum disturbance.
Today, technologies exist that allow for the efficient monitoring of large areas from both economic and practical perspectives. Our study is the first to investigate the species diversity of birds in the anthropogenically transformed ecosystems of the Bukovynian Carpathians by using the Song Meter Micro acoustic receiver from the American company, Wildlife Acoustics. The material analyzed in the study consists of audio files (n=843) with a total duration of 204 minutes, recorded in April 2023 at 14 locations in the anthropogenically transformed ecosystems of the Bukovynian Carpathians, Ukraine. The data were analyzed using two approaches: the BirdNET application, which operates based on machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence, and the Raven Pro software. In the second approach, the resulting sonograms were compared with the reference database of xeno-canto. The similarity of the avifauna species composition at different monitoring points was determined using binary similarity indices such as Jaccard and S & oslash;rensen-Czekanowski, as well as the Stugren-Radulescu coefficient. The highest similarity was observed between two sites within the area of a national park (Jaccard = 0.43). In contrast, the lowest similarity was recorded between these sites and a remote site outside the national park (Jaccard = 0.13). The species richness of birds at different locations was analyzed and compared using the Menhinick index. As a result of the study, 58 bird species were identified, 10 of which were recorded for the first time in the research region. These findings highlight the rich avian biodiversity of the study area and emphasize the importance of continued monitoring.
The Hawar Islands, located near Bahrain, were designated a Ramsar Site in 1997, and a survey of Sooty Falcons (Falco concolor) began in 1998, documenting 15 breeding pairs. By 2006, numbers had declined to 10 pairs, with chick ringing efforts conducted to monitor the population. After a 15-year gap, surveys resumed in 2021 and 2023, identifying only 6 occupied nests in 2021 and a possible 5-7 pairs in 2023. The breeding season occurs in August, coinciding with extreme heat and the arrival of migratory birds, which serve as prey. Despite abundant nesting sites, Sooty Falcon numbers have declined, possibly due to changes in prey availability rather than human disturbance. Observations suggest a connection between Hawar and Oman populations, evidenced by a recovered ringed bird from Oman. Urgent conservation efforts, including better funding, advanced technology, and further ecological studies, are necessary to ensure the species' survival on Hawar.
This report presents the available data and the results of the first rapid assessment of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) population in Jordan, including a preliminary distribution model. The species was recorded at 18 sites, some of which were recently discovered, mainly in the Hizma basin close to the Saudi border, and along the southern and Dead Sea Rift Margins. The model, along with knowledge gained during recent fieldwork, will aid in planning a systematic breeding population survey, which will serve as the baseline for a monitoring program and conservation actions for this threatened species in Jordan. As the breeding population in southern Jordan appears to be continuous with the recently surveyed inland populations of north-western Saudi Arabia, the authors suggest cross-border cooperation, which could improve future actions to protect this species from further decline.
Monitoring bird populations is important for tracking trends and spotting declines early. Reliable population data helps guide conservation efforts and assess extinction risks. Gathering consistent data in remote or uneven terrains is challenging, especially for the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor), which was recently classified as Vulnerable due to various threats and a declining population trend. This study analyses the population trends of this small falcon based on breeding pairs over a 12-year period, using data from 10 countries within the species' range. A stochastic simulation, accounting for uncertainty through error classes, was performed using bootstrap methods to refine population projections. The global average change over three generations indicates a slight decrease of -5.45%, with confidence intervals ranging from -30% to +31%. Declines are observed in most countries, particularly across the Arabian Peninsula, where large islands and coastal areas have seen a 20-25% reduction. In contrast, desert regions have experienced a 20-30% increase, primarily due to expanded exploration, not necessarily to real population growth.This comprehensive study highlights the need for expanded monitoring and coordinated efforts to address the ongoing population decline, with particular attention to vulnerable populations in diverse environmental contexts.
The non-breeding ecology of the Sooty Falcon (Falco concolor) remains poorly understood despite its relevance for the conservation of this long-distance migratory species, which is undergoing population declines across its range. In this study, a georeferenced database of 535 non-breeding records from Africa and Madagascar was compiled to model climatic suitability across three phases of the annual cycle: post-breeding, wintering, and post-wintering. Current models indicate that post-breeding movements occur mainly through montane and sub-humid tropical regions of East Africa, whereas wintering areas are concentrated in Madagascar and, to a lesser extent, in the Mozambican and Malawian highlands. During the post-wintering (pre-breeding) phase, suitable habitats are largely confined to semi-humid zones in central Tanzania and eastern Zambia. Projections for 2050 and 2070 under warming scenarios suggest a progressive reduction and fragmentation of suitable areas, with climatic refugia persisting primarily in high-altitude and coastal environments. These findings highlight increasing climatic constraints on the species' migratory network. Conservation measures should prioritise the protection of humid montane and coastal ecosystems in Madagascar and East Africa, as well as key stopover areas that support migration. A coordinated flyway-level approach integrating climate adaptation and habitat management is recommended to ensure the long-term persistence of non-breeding populations.
