Ostrich

Cannibalism is rarely documented in raptorial birds, despite the widespread occurrence of siblicide. This study focused on this phenomenon in the Critically Endangered Madagascar Fish Eagle Icthyophaga vociferoides (family Accipitridae) within the Tsimembo Manambolomaty Complex Protected Area (TMC-PA). During the 2023 breeding season, camera traps were installed at two nests containing two nestlings each. A review of 3 490 images from both nests and 394 video recordings from one of them revealed that siblicide occurred between 7 and 10 days after the hatching of the second nestling in both nests. The older sibling killed the younger through intermittent pecking, averaging 32.6 +/- 3.7 pecks per day over a three-day period in both nests, inflicting a bloody wound that led to death. The day after siblicide in both nests, camera trap footage captured a cannibalistic event involving the adult female. She approached the deceased nestling, dissected abdominal and thoracic regions, and consumed portions herself. She then fed smaller fragments to the surviving nestling. This provisioning behaviour lasted 30 minutes, alternating between self-consumption and feeding. This is the first documented case of cannibalism in the Madagascar Fish Eagle. We suggest that resource constraints are unlikely to explain this phenomenon. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed to clarify the underlying causes. Le cannibalisme est rarement document & eacute; chez les rapaces, malgr & eacute; la fr & eacute;quence du fratricide. Cette & eacute;tude s'est pench & eacute;e sur ce ph & eacute;nom & egrave;ne chez le Pygargue de Madagascar Icthyophaga vociferoides (famille Accipitridae), une esp & egrave;ce en danger critique d'extinction, au sein de l'Aire Prot & eacute;g & eacute;e du Complexe de Tsimembo Manambolomaty. Durant la saison de reproduction de 2023, deux pi & egrave;ges photographiques ont & eacute;t & eacute; install & eacute;s sur des nids, chacun contenant deux poussins. L'analyse de 3 490 images issues des deux nids et de 394 vid & eacute;os provenant d'un des nids a r & eacute;v & eacute;l & eacute; que le fratricide s'est produit entre 7 et 10 jours apr & egrave;s l'& eacute;closion du second poussin dans les deux cas. L'a & icirc;n & eacute; a tu & eacute; son cadet par des coups de bec intermittents, avec une moyenne de 32,6 coups par jour sur une p & eacute;riode de trois jours, finissant par lui infliger une blessure sanglante conduisant sa mort. Le lendemain du fratricide, dans les deux nids, les cam & eacute;ras ont enregistr & eacute; un acte de cannibalisme impliquant la femelle adulte. Celle-ci s'est approch & eacute;e du cadavre du poussin, en a consomm & eacute; les parties abdominales et thoraciques, puis a nourri le poussin survivant avec de petits fragments. Ce comportement de nourrissage a dur & eacute; environ 30 minutes, alternant entre consommation directe et alimentation du jeune. Ceci constitue la premi & egrave;re observation document & eacute;e de cannibalisme chez le Pygargue de Madagascar. Nous sugg & eacute;rons que les contraintes de ressources sont peu susceptibles d'expliquer ce ph & eacute;nom & egrave;ne. Cependant, des & eacute;tudes suppl & eacute;mentaires, men & eacute;es sur un & eacute;chantillon plus large, sont n & eacute;cessaires pour en clarifier les causes sous-jacentes.

How species move through fragmented landscapes is critical to the resilience of ecological interactions, yet movement data are scarce for most taxa. Habitat loss and fragmentation affect the movement of nectar-feeding bird species, impacting plant-pollinator interactions. Here we use 75 years (1950-2025) of bird ringing data obtained from the South African Bird Ringing Scheme (SAFRING). Our main aims were to (i) determine the spatial movement patterns of nectar-feeding birds with varying degrees of habitat specialisation, and (ii) elucidate nectar-feeding bird movement between breeding and non-breeding seasons. The study focused on the four most abundant nectarivorous bird species in a region of the southwestern Cape, South Africa, marked by Velddrif and Witsand as the northern- and eastern-most points, respectively. These are the Southern Double-collared Sunbirds Cinnyris chalybeus (SDcS), Orange-breasted Sunbirds (ObS) Anthobaphes violacea, Malachite Sunbirds (MS) Nectarinia famosa and Cape Sugarbirds (CSb) Promerops cafer. All movements were mapped, and distances travelled during the breeding and non-breeding seasons were compared. Fire and ringing records were then assessed to determine movement in response to fire. Recaptures, resightings and recoveries were combined as 'repeats'. No clear movement pattern was discernible, owing to an insufficient number of repeats. Repeat rates ranged from 2.8% for MS to 10.1% for CSb. The habitat-generalist MS and SDcS travelled further than the fynbos-dependent CSb and ObS. If only considering the distance between a single breeding and non-breeding season, MS travelled the farthest (28.9 km) and ObS the least (1.8 km). The concentration of ringing effort within the urban zone of influence means movement patterns between natural and transformed landscapes remain largely unknown. This highlights the need for targeted sampling across urban gradients combined with modern technology, such as GPS tracking, to fully understand pollinator movement in fragmented landscapes. Comment les esp & egrave;ces se d & eacute;placent dans des paysages fragment & eacute;s est essentiel pour la r & eacute;silience des interactions & eacute;cologiques, mais les donn & eacute;es sur les d & eacute;placements sont rares pour la plupart des organismes. La perte et la fragmentation des habitats affectent les d & eacute;placements d'esp & egrave;ces d'oiseaux nectarivores, ce qui a des r & eacute;percussions sur les interactions entre les plantes et les pollinisateurs. Nous utilisons 75 ann & eacute;es (1950-2025) de donn & eacute;es de baguage d'oiseaux du programme sud-africain de baguage SAFRING. Nos principaux objectifs & eacute;taient (i) de d & eacute;terminer les strat & eacute;gies de d & eacute;placement spatial des oiseaux nectarivores pr & eacute;sentant diff & eacute;rents degr & eacute;s de sp & eacute;cialisation, et (ii) d'& eacute;lucider les d & eacute;placements de ces oiseaux entre les saisons de reproduction et de non-reproduction. L'& eacute;tude s'est concentr & eacute;e sur les quatre esp & egrave;ces d'oiseaux nectarivores les plus abondantes dans une r & eacute;gion du sud-ouest du Cap, en Afrique du Sud, d & eacute;limit & eacute;e par Velddrif au nord et Witsand & agrave; l'est : le Souimanga chalyb & eacute; (SDcS) Cinnyris chalybeus, le Souimanga orang & eacute; (ObS) Anthobaphes violacea, le Souimanga malachite (MS) Nectarinia famosa et le Prom & eacute;rops du Cap (CSb) Promerops cafer. Tous les d & eacute;placements ont & eacute;t & eacute; cartographi & eacute;s, et les distances parcourues pendant les saisons de reproduction et hors reproduction ont & eacute;t & eacute; compar & eacute;es. Les donn & eacute;es relatives aux incendies ont & eacute;t & eacute; & eacute;valu & eacute;es afin de d & eacute;terminer les d & eacute;placements en r & eacute;ponse au feu. Les recaptures, les observations et les r & eacute;cup & eacute;rations ont & eacute;t & eacute; regroup & eacute;es sous le terme 'r & eacute;p & eacute;titions'. Aucun sch & eacute;ma de d & eacute;placement n'a pu & ecirc;tre discern & eacute;, en raison d'un nombre insuffisant de r & eacute;p & eacute;titions. Les taux de r & eacute;p & eacute;tition variaient de 2,8 % pour les MS & agrave; 10,1 % pour les CSb. Les esp & egrave;ces g & eacute;n & eacute;ralistes MS et SDcS ont parcouru de plus longues distances que les esp & egrave;ces d & eacute;pendantes du fynbos, CSb et ObS. Si l'on ne tient compte que de la distance entre une seule saison de reproduction et une saison hors reproduction, c'est MS qui a parcouru la plus grande distance (28,9 km) et ObS la plus courte (1,8 km). La concentration des efforts de baguage dans la zone d'influence urbaine signifie que les d & eacute;placements entre les paysages naturels et les paysages transform & eacute;s restent largement m & eacute;connus. Cela souligne la n & eacute;cessit & eacute; d'un & eacute;chantillonnage cibl & eacute; sur l'ensemble des gradients urbains, combin & eacute; & agrave; des technologies modernes telles que le suivi GPS, afin de comprendre pleinement les d & eacute;placements des pollinisateurs dans des paysages fragment & eacute;s.

Tristram's Warbler Curruca deserticola, a North African endemic, remains poorly understood in terms of its ecological niche and habitat preferences. This study offers a comprehensive multi-scale habitat assessment combining macroecological species distribution modelling across Algeria and Tunisia with fine-scale microhabitat analysis at occupied sites using generalised linear models. The species' distribution was concentrated in mountainous regions of northeastern Algeria and northwestern Tunisia, highlighting its reliance on structurally heterogeneous shrublands. Elevation emerged as the most influential factor, with optimal suitability at similar to 1 250 m, while intermediate Enhanced Vegetation Index values (0.15-0.2) and moderate annual temperatures (12-14 degrees C) further defined suitable habitats. The integration of both spatial scales highlights the species' strong association with structurally heterogeneous shrublands in moderately elevated, semi-arid zones. Microhabitat modelling highlighted preferences for abundant small trees, moderate shrub cover (2-4 m), and steeper slopes. These findings demonstrate the species' vulnerability to habitat fragmentation and climate change, reinforcing the need for scale-integrated conservation strategies focused on structurally heterogeneous highland habitats.

The Grey-necked Rockfowl Picathartes oreas Reichenow, 1899 is a flagship African bird associated with rocky areas in evergreen forests. This paper reports the first confirmed detection of the species in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a new camera trap record in the Republic of Congo (RoC), suggesting a potential range extension of over 390 km south of its previously known distribution area. Between December 2020 and February 2021, five camera trap events confirmed the presence of at least one individual in the core zone of the Luki Biosphere Reserve (DRC). Further surveys in February 2023 and September 2024 documented at least three individuals in Conkouati- Douli National Park (RoC). Further research is needed to assess population viability in these two protected areas.

African Penguins Spheniscus demersus are typically monogamous with biparental care. However, this long-term study on individuals of known identity and sex on Robben Island from 2001 to 2023 revealed several alternative parental care strategies. In rare cases (n = 3, 0.3% of monitored breeding attempts by marked birds), individual penguins were observed incubating eggs and provisioning chicks at two different nests simultaneously. Cooperative breeding occurred in approximately 4% of monitored attempts, where three birds raised chicks at a single nest. In one-third of these cases, all three individuals participated from the incubation stage. Most notably, in 18% of breeding attempts where both pair members were sexed, both individuals were females, suggesting same-sex pairing as a significant reproductive strategy in this population, possibly due to an adult sex-bias ratio in the breeding population.

The Pemba Green Pigeon Treron pembaensis, a frugivorous species endemic to Pemba Island, Tanzania, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is increasingly threatened by habitat loss due to anthropogenic pressures. Although the Pemba Green Pigeon is adapted to forest habitats, limited knowledge exists on how vegetation variables influence its abundance. To establish the relationship between the Pemba Green Pigeon and vegetation parameters, we used the point count method, which overlapped with vegetation sampling across 44 nested quadrats (20 & times; 20 m) with subplots (2 & times; 5 m) for young trees. At each vegetation sampling location, we counted Pemba Green Pigeons seen and heard, and assessed tree height, diameter at breast height, canopy cover, tree density and the density of feeding and perching plant species. The density of Pemba Green Pigeons was significantly higher inside the forest than outside the forest. Overall, 20% of the recorded plant species were used as feeding (nine species) and perching trees (three species). Five previously undocumented feeding plant species were identified: Ficus sur, Sorindeia madagascariensis, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium guineense and Chrysalidocarpus pembeanus. Pemba Green Pigeon abundance correlated positively with diameter at breast height, canopy cover, tree density, tree height, and perching and feeding plant availability, suggesting that structurally complex, diverse habitats enhance its survival by providing food and protection. This study highlights the need to conserve native forest structures, particularly including mature trees, which provide essential feeding, perching and roosting sites to sustain a viable population of this vulnerable and endemic species.

Afromontane forest covers a small proportion of the African continent yet supports disproportionately high biodiversity. Forest structural characteristics, particularly large-tree abundance and vertical complexity, are key determinants of habitat suitability for forest birds. We compared forest structure and bird community composition in two Afromontane forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Umgano Forest, characterised by a high density of large emergent podocarps, and Karkloof Forest, which contains fewer large trees and a canopy dominated by angiosperms. Umgano had significantly taller trees and greater mean stem diameters, whereas Karkloof exhibited a denser understorey and higher stem density. Despite these structural differences, bird species richness and diversity were similar between forests. However, community composition differed. Umgano supported a greater proportion of canopy-associated and cavity-nesting species, while Karkloof supported more understorey- associated species. Both forests maintained comparable numbers of forest specialist birds. These results indicate that variation in large-tree abundance and vertical structure influences functional and compositional patterns without necessarily altering overall diversity. Our findings suggest that forests with fewer large trees can retain comparable bird diversity while supporting compositionally distinct assemblages. Conserving structurally heterogeneous Afromontane forests may therefore maximise regional avian diversity by maintaining complementary community configurations rather than relying solely on stands dominated by large trees.

Wind energy is vital for climate change mitigation, but poses risks to some bird species, particularly raptors. This study investigated raptor flight behaviour at the Kipeto Wind Farm in southern Kenya and exposure to potential collision risk related to time of day, season and weather. Observers monitored raptor flights from 09:00-18:00 daily for five years, beginning January 2020, and assigned flight time to height classes above, below or at collision risk height (CRH, 30-180 m). Raptors were categorised as falcons/kestrels, medium raptors, large raptors, vultures or Palaearctic migrants. Vultures accounted for 44% of all raptor sightings, with passage rates of 0.3-0.6 birds per hour, 86% of flights entirely above CRH and only 3% of flight time at CRH overall. Migrants also mainly flew above turbines (5.1% of time at CRH), with resident species spending more flight time at CRH (11.0%, 18.6% and 22.8% for large raptors, medium raptors, and falcons/kestrels respectively). Vulture time at CRH was least during the cool, dry mid-year months and peaked around the short rains in November-December. Other than migrants, other raptor categories did not show strong seasonal patterns in activity. Except for falcons/kestrels, time at CRH was highest before 11:00 for all categories. Controlling for confounding factors, vulture and migrant passage rates at CRH were elevated at lower barometric pressures, owing to greater overall activity. Resident raptors (falcons, medium and large raptors) made more flights at CRH in dry and sunny weather, or (for large raptors) when wind speed was low. For vultures, large raptors and migrants, activity patterns appear related to physical requirements for soaring flight. Species' actual collision risk at a site will depend on many factors, not only on time spent at collision risk height. A better understanding of raptor flight activity in relation to environmental factors nevertheless helps inform risk assessment and mitigation for wind energy developments.

Vultures provide important ecosystem services by rapidly disposing of carcasses and limiting disease transmission, yet their populations are collapsing across Africa. In West Africa, particularly Nigeria, this decline has been shaped not only by ecological pressures but also by deep-rooted cultural beliefs. This study examined how traditional perceptions and taboos influence regional disparities in vulture abundance and conservation across Nigeria. Using an ethno-ornithological approach, data were collected through 300 structured questionnaires across six states, 20 in-depth interviews, a focus group discussion, and market observations in two additional states (Akwa Ibom and Delta). Results revealed a pronounced regional divide in both vulture presence and public attitudes. In Kano (North) and Ekiti (West), negative perceptions portraying vultures as symbols of death and their use in traditional medicine have driven near-extirpation. Conversely, in Anambra (South-East) and Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta (South-South), enduring taboos and reverence, such as burial rituals for vultures, have sustained relatively stable populations. About 81% of respondents recognised a population decline, linking it to increased sanitation costs and higher disease risks. Awareness of vultures' ecological roles remained low (45%), pointing to the need for education and cultural engagement. The study concludes that useful beliefs and taboos are pivotal to vulture survival in Nigeria. Conservation efforts should integrate indigenous knowledge, strengthen enforcement against wildlife trade, promote community awareness, and establish culturally grounded 'vulture guardian' zones to preserve the country's remaining strongholds.

The Uluguru Nature Forest Reserve (UNFR) in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania is a vital biodiversity hotspot housing unique flora and fauna. This study focused on two endangered bird species, the Uluguru Bushshrike (UBS) Malaconotus alius and Loveridge's Sunbird (LS) Cinnyris loveridgei, which are endemic to the UNFR. During a 2006-2007 survey, 387 individual birds representing 31 species were recorded, of which 19% were classified as threatened. UBS and LS constituted significant proportions of the total observations. Within the surveyed area of 9 km(2), 59 UBS and 79 LS were recorded, and extrapolations to the entire UNFR (241 km(2)) return population sizes of similar to 1 236 UBS and similar to 1 935 LS individuals, underscoring their vulnerability. Altitude, canopy height and canopy cover influenced species distribution. UBS predominantly occupied altitudes between 1 200 and 1 800 metres, whereas the LS ranged from 1 200 to 2 400 m. Canopy height was positively correlated with UBS sightings in the 30-40 m range. LS was weakly correlated with canopy cover, indicating that it can occur across a gradient of canopy covers from open to closed. Because there is virtually no forest left in the lower montane region, the forested altitudinal range with its diverse canopy structures should be conserved to ensure the survival of endemic forest species in the UNFR.

Magombera and Kimboza forests in Tanzania are small lowland fragments on the eastern foothills of the Udzungwa and Uluguru mountains, respectively. In July-August of 2023 and 2024, we conducted surveys of the forest birds in the forests, using mist nets, opportunistic observations and audio playback. We recorded 58 species in Magombera and 69 in Kimboza including 7 and 12 species new to the sites, respectively. This increases the total number of species to 71 in Magombera and 89 in Kimboza. The majority are widespread in forest habitats in Tanzania, and are either forest generalists or forest visitors, with the number of species belonging to these categories similar in the two forests. More than twice as many obligate forest specialists are known from Kimboza Forest, compared to Magombera Forest, including seven with their main distribution in the Eastern African coastal forests. We identify three possible explanations for these differences: less field work has been carried out in Magombera; differences in forest community structure and floristic composition; and distance from coastal forests. We also recorded more seasonal altitudinal migrants (species and individuals), from nearby mountain areas, in Kimboza relatively to Magombera. This difference is possibly due to the loss of lowland forest in the Uluguru Mountains where the migrants would 'winter' previously, whilst in the Udzungwas a continuous forest cover still exists down to 300 m, providing a lowland forest retreat for altitudinal migrants. Instead, migrants from the Ulugurus appear to have to move through at least 11 km of open land to isolated lowland forests in the foothills, such as Kimboza Forest.

The Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is a species of Old-World vulture endemic to southern Africa. Currently listed as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN, they face increasing threats from anthropogenic hazards, such as collisions with man-made infrastructure and poisoning events, leading to ongoing population declines. This study aimed to investigate the survival probabilities of a sample of 20 Cape Vultures, fitted with GPS tracking devices whilst fledglings at the Skeerpoort breeding colony, in the Northwest province of South Africa. These individuals were then monitored for a period of 1 683 days, with a known fate index created to track any deaths or removal from the population, allowing for both cumulative and annual estimated survival rates to be calculated. Cumulative survival probability decreased from 0.512 at one year to 0.171 by year four, with 64% of all confirmed mortalities occurring within the first year and electrocution and collisions with power lines being the most prevalent causes (accounting for 20% and 15% of all outcomes respectively). Whilst annual survival probabilities appeared more stable, 0.512 in the first year and 0.540 in the fourth, these survival rates are markedly lower in comparison to those of other studies on Cape Vultures, as well as other vulture species and, furthermore, an extrapolated model for future survival predicted a survival probability of just 0.014 ten years after the GPS device was fitted. These findings highlight the need for targeted conservation measures, such as improved power line management and supplementary feeding stations to reduce mortality during the juvenile and subadult life stages of Cape Vultures. Le Vautour chassefiente Gyps coprotheres est une esp & egrave;ce de vautour de l'Ancien Monde end & eacute;mique d'Afrique australe. Actuellement class & eacute; comme Vuln & eacute;rable par l'UICN, il est confront & eacute; & agrave; des menaces croissantes li & eacute;es & agrave; des risques anthropiques, tels que les collisions avec des infrastructures artificielles et l'empoisonnement, qui entra & icirc;nent un d & eacute;clin continu de sa population. Cette & eacute;tude visait & agrave; & eacute;tudier les probabilit & eacute;s de survie d'un & eacute;chantillon de 20 Vautours chassefiente, & eacute;quip & eacute;s de dispositifs de suivi GPS alors qu'ils & eacute;taient encore oisillons dans la colonie de reproduction de Skeerpoort, dans la province Northwest de l'Afrique du Sud. Ces individus ont ensuite & eacute;t & eacute; suivis pendant une p & eacute;riode de 1 683 jours, avec un indice de destin connu cr & eacute;& eacute; pour suivre les d & eacute;c & egrave;s ou les retraits de la population, ce qui a permis d'estimer les taux de survie cumul & eacute;s et annuels. La probabilit & eacute; de survie cumul & eacute;e a diminu & eacute; de 0.512 & agrave; un an & agrave; 0.171 & agrave; quatre ans, avec 64% de tous les d & eacute;c & egrave;s confirm & eacute;s survenant au cours de la premi & egrave;re ann & eacute;e, et les & eacute;lectrocutions et collisions avec des lignes & eacute;lectriques & eacute;tant les causes les plus fr & eacute;quentes (repr & eacute;sentant respectivement 20% et 15% de tous les d & eacute;c & egrave;s). Si les probabilit & eacute;s de survie annuelles semblaient plus stables, avec 0.512 la premi & egrave;re ann & eacute;e et 0.540 la quatri & egrave;me, ces taux de survie sont nettement inf & eacute;rieurs & agrave; ceux d'autres & eacute;tudes sur les Vautours chassefiente, ainsi que sur d'autres esp & egrave;ces de vautours. De plus, un mod & egrave;le extrapol & eacute; pour la survie future pr & eacute;voyait une probabilit & eacute; de survie de seulement 0.014 dix ans apr & egrave;s la pose du dispositif GPS. Ces r & eacute;sultats soulignent la n & eacute;cessit & eacute; de mettre en place des mesures de conservation cibl & eacute;es, telles qu'une meilleure gestion des lignes & eacute;lectriques et la cr & eacute;ation de stations d'alimentation suppl & eacute;mentaires, afin de r & eacute;duire la mortalit & eacute; des Vautours chassefiente au stade juv & eacute;nile et subadulte.

Cocoa agroforestry expansion is widespread in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, posing a significant threat to the integrity of protected areas. Despite this threat, the impact of this expansion on forest bird communities remains largely unexamined. This study investigated bird community composition in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) and surrounding agroforestry areas using a combination of mist netting and passive acoustic monitoring. Specifically, it examined species richness, diversity, evenness, feeding guild abundance and habitat-specific indicator species across 19 sites. A total of 95 bird species were documented, with acoustic monitoring accounting for 73% and mist netting 43% of the recorded species. Significant differences in species richness, diversity and evenness were observed across habitat types. While cocoa farms exhibited higher species richness than primary forest sites or annual cultures, primary forests had the highest diversity indices, followed by cocoa farms and annual cultures. Bird communities were most even in annual cultures, compared to primary forest sites and cocoa farms. Additionally, 18 bird species showed strong associations with specific habitat types based on combined data from both mist netting and acoustic methods. This study highlights the importance of protected areas such as the OWR for sustaining bird communities, as well as emphasising the potential value of structurally complex agroforestry landscapes for subsets of forest bird communities. Furthermore, it demonstrates the effectiveness of combining mist netting and acoustic monitoring methods in understanding avian community composition amid land use changes. L'expansion des agrofor & ecirc;ts & agrave; cacao est tr & egrave;s r & eacute;pandue dans l'est de la R & eacute;publique D & eacute;mocratique du Congo, ce qui constitue une menace importante pour l'int & eacute;grit & eacute; des zones prot & eacute;g & eacute;es. Malgr & eacute; cette menace, l'impact de cette expansion sur les communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux forestiers reste largement m & eacute;connu. Cette & eacute;tude a examin & eacute; la composition des communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux dans la R & eacute;serve de faune & agrave; Okapis (OWR) et les zones agroforesti & egrave;res environnantes & agrave; l'aide d'une combinaison de captures avec filets et de suivis acoustiques passifs. Elle a examin & eacute; la richesse, la diversit & eacute; et l'uniformit & eacute; des esp & egrave;ces, l'abondance des guildes alimentaires et les esp & egrave;ces indicatrices sp & eacute;cifiques & agrave; l'habitat sur 19 sites. Au total, 95 esp & egrave;ces d'oiseaux ont & eacute;t & eacute; r & eacute;pertori & eacute;es, dont 73% document & eacute;es par le suivi acoustique et 43% par captures. Des diff & eacute;rences significatives en termes de richesse, de diversit & eacute; et d'uniformit & eacute; des esp & egrave;ces ont & eacute;t & eacute; observ & eacute;es entre les diff & eacute;rents types d'habitats. Si les plantations de cacao pr & eacute;sentaient une richesse en esp & egrave;ces plus & eacute;lev & eacute;e que les sites forestiers primaires ou les cultures annuelles, les for & ecirc;ts primaires affichaient les indices de diversit & eacute; les plus & eacute;lev & eacute;s, suivies par les plantations de cacao et les cultures annuelles. Les communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux & eacute;taient plus uniformes dans les cultures annuelles que dans les sites de for & ecirc;t primaire et les plantations de cacao. En outre, 18 esp & egrave;ces d'oiseaux ont montr & eacute; une forte association avec des types d'habitats sp & eacute;cifiques. Cette & eacute;tude souligne l'importance des zones prot & eacute;g & eacute;es, telles que l'OWR, pour la pr & eacute;servation des communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux, tout en mettant en avant la valeur potentielle des paysages agroforestiers & agrave; structure complexe pour certaines populations d'oiseaux forestiers. Elle d & eacute;montre en outre l'efficacit & eacute; de la combinaison des m & eacute;thodes de suivis par captures (filets japonais) et enregistrements acoustiques pour comprendre la composition des communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux dans un contexte de changements d'utilisation des sols.

In the early 2000s, the ornithological community was alerted to the vulture population decline in West Africa. Since then, the situation of vultures in this area has not been updated, specifically in Burkina Faso's protected areas. To find out more, we used transect counts to explore the current status of vultures (species diversity, abundance) to be compared with previous counts in Nazinga Game Ranch, Burkina Faso. A total of 49 individuals from three species were recorded, the White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus (59.2%), Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus (38.8%) and White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis (2%). Two species previously recorded in small numbers were not detected: the Lappet-faced Torgos tracheliotos and the R & uuml;ppell's Gyps rueppelli vultures. Between the 1970s and 2004, numbers of White-backed and Hooded vultures declined significantly from 19 to 4.4 and 16 to 7.7 individuals per 100 km, respectively, a decrease of 76.8% and 51.9%. Between 2004 and 2019, there was a slight increase from 4.4 to 11.9 in the number of White-backed Vultures and a relative stability in the number of Hooded Vultures. The populations of White-headed Vulture have continued to decrease from 6 to 1.9 individuals per 100 km between the 1970s and 2004 and then from 1.9 to 0.4 between 2004 and 2019. Our results reveal that Nazinga Game Ranch remains one of the bastions of resilience for vultures in Burkina Faso and offers a real opportunity for vulture conservation. The apparent growth post-2004 in the White-backed Vulture population suggests the increasing dependence of vultures on the protected area, given the increase in threats to vultures outside of protected areas. Continuing research in protected and unprotected areas is needed to update data at a national and regional scale to have a better assessment of vulture population trends. Regardless, it is imperative to urgently address the specific threats faced by each of these vulture species. Au d & eacute;but des ann & eacute;es 2000, la communaut & eacute; ornithologique a & eacute;t & eacute; alert & eacute;e du d & eacute;clin des vautours en Afrique de l'Ouest. Depuis lors, la situation des vautours dans cette r & eacute;gion n'a pas & eacute;t & eacute; mise & agrave; jour, en particulier dans les zones prot & eacute;g & eacute;es du Burkina Faso. Pour en savoir plus, nous avons utilis & eacute; des comptages par transects afin d'& eacute;tudier la situation actuelle des vautours (diversit & eacute; des esp & egrave;ces, abondance) et de la comparer aux comptages pr & eacute;c & eacute;dents effectu & eacute;s au Ranch de Gibier de Nazinga, au Burkina Faso. Au total, 49 individus de trois esp & egrave;ces ont & eacute;t & eacute; recens & eacute;s : le Vautour africain Gyps africanus (59,2%), le Vautour charognard Necrosyrtes monachus (38,8%) et le Vautour & agrave; t & ecirc;te blanche Trigonoceps occipitalis (2%). Deux esp & egrave;ces pr & eacute;c & eacute;demment recens & eacute;es en petit nombre n'ont pas & eacute;t & eacute; d & eacute;tect & eacute;es : le Vautour oricou Torgos tracheliotos et le Vautour de R & uuml;ppell Gyps rueppelli. Entre les ann & eacute;es 1970 et 2004, le nombre de Vautours africains et charognards a d'abord consid & eacute;rablement diminu & eacute;, passant respectivement de 19 & agrave; 4,4 et de 16 & agrave; 7,7 individus pour 100 km, soit une baisse de 76,8% et 51,9%. Entre 2004 et 2019, on a observ & eacute; une l & eacute;g & egrave;re augmentation du nombre de Vautours africains, passant de 4,4 & agrave; 11,9, et une relative stabilit & eacute; du nombre de Vautours charognards. Les populations de Vautours & agrave; t & ecirc;te blanche ont continu & eacute; & agrave; diminuer, passant de 6 & agrave; 1,9 individus pour 100 km entre les ann & eacute;es 1970 et 2004, puis de 1,9 & agrave; 0,4 entre 2004 et 2019. Nos r & eacute;sultats r & eacute;v & egrave;lent que le Ranch de Gibier de Nazinga reste l'un des bastions de r & eacute;silience pour les vautours au Burkina Faso et offre une r & eacute;elle opportunit & eacute; pour la conservation des vautours. La croissance apparente de la population de Vautours africains apr & egrave;s 2004 sugg & egrave;re une d & eacute;pendance croissante des vautours & agrave; l'& eacute;gard des zones prot & eacute;g & eacute;es, compte tenu de l'augmentation des menaces qui p & egrave;sent sur eux en dehors de ces zones. Il est n & eacute;cessaire de poursuivre les recherches dans les zones prot & eacute;g & eacute;es et non prot & eacute;g & eacute;es afin de mettre & agrave; jour les donn & eacute;es & agrave; l'& eacute;chelle nationale et r & eacute;gionale et de mieux & eacute;valuer les tendances des populations de vautours. Quoi qu'il en soit, il est imp & eacute;ratif de s'attaquer de toute urgence aux menaces sp & eacute;cifiques auxquelles chacune de ces esp & egrave;ces de vautours est confront & eacute;e.

We compare Blue Crane Grus paradisea breeding productivity in the Western Cape wheatlands in Overberg and Swartland (2018-2021), Karoo (2009-2011) and eastern grasslands (2009-2011 and 2013). Productivity was higher in the grasslands (0.95 fledglings/attempt, 95% CI = 0.86-1.30, n = 95) and Karoo (1, 95% CI = 0.79-1.55, n = 90), than in the Overberg (0.55, 95% CI = 0.42-0.80, n = 98) or Swartland (0.48, 95% CI = 0.34-0.75, n = 63). Swartland pairs fledged two chicks half as often as Overberg, grasslands and Karoo pairs. In 2019-2021, juveniles comprised 4.0% (range = 2.8-5.0%) of winter flocks in the Overberg, and 3.6% (3.4-4.0%) in the Swartland, which is approximately half of the estimates from the Overberg 30 years ago. Low breeding productivity and recruitment could explain the declining population in the Western Cape wheatlands and may indicate that the region has become an ecological trap for the species. Breeding productivity could be improved by reducing disturbance at nests, preventing chick drownings in water troughs and reducing fence entanglements. Nous comparons la productivit & eacute; reproductive de la Grue de paradis Grus paradisea dans les plaines c & eacute;r & eacute;ali & egrave;res du Cap-Occidental entre 2018 et 2021 (Overberg et Swartland), dans le Karoo (2009-2011) et dans les prairies orientales (2009-2011 et 2013). La productivit & eacute; & eacute;tait plus & eacute;lev & eacute;e dans les prairies (0.95 oisillons/tentative, IC & agrave; 95 % = 0.86-1.30, n = 95) et dans le Karoo (1, IC & agrave; 95 % = 0.79-1.55, n = 90) qu'au Overberg (0.55, IC & agrave; 95 % = 0.42-0.80, n = 98) ou & agrave; Swartland (0.48, IC & agrave; 95 % = 0.34-0.75, n = 63). Les couples de Swartland ont & eacute;lev & eacute; deux poussins deux fois moins souvent que les couples d'Overberg, des prairies et du Karoo. En 2019-2021, les juv & eacute;niles repr & eacute;sentaient 4.0 % (fourchette = 2.8-5.0 %) des groupes hivernants dans l'Overberg et 3.6 % (3.4-4.0 %) dans le Swartland, soit environ la moiti & eacute; des estimations de l'Overberg il y a 30 ans. La faible productivit & eacute; reproductive et le faible recrutement pourraient expliquer le d & eacute;clin de la population dans les plaines c & eacute;r & eacute;ali & egrave;res du Cap-Occidental et indiquer que la r & eacute;gion est devenue un pi & egrave;ge & eacute;cologique pour l'esp & egrave;ce. La productivit & eacute; reproductive pourrait & ecirc;tre am & eacute;lior & eacute;e en r & eacute;duisant les perturbations au niveau des nids, en emp & ecirc;chant les poussins de se noyer dans les abreuvoirs et en r & eacute;duisant les enchev & ecirc;trements dans les cl & ocirc;tures.

The White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus is Critically Endangered because of its decline across its range in Africa, largely due to poisoning. The western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem in northern Tanzania hosts a significant number of individuals of this species. However, there is no published information on the breeding population status and breeding success. Here, we report findings from five riparian aerial surveys conducted between 2013 and 2021 in the Ikorongo and Grumeti Game Reserves and the Ikona Wildlife Management Area, and examine changes in nest encounter rates. Nest surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 to examine breeding success and nesting site preferences. To better understand the potential drivers of the observed trends, we assessed changes in riparian tree cover between 2012 and 2020 using remote sensing techniques. The nest encounter rate within the survey area declined from 0.99 nests km-1 in 2013 to 0.43 nests km-1 in 2021. The breeding success was 29.4%, which was significantly lower than that reported in other sites. Tree cover declined by 28% during the study period and results suggest that habitat loss may be a contributing factor to the observed declines in the breeding population, but further investigation is needed. White-backed Vultures in the Serengeti ecosystem require continued monitoring, assessment of the drivers of tree cover decline and investigation of breeding population dynamics and the key factors influencing breeding success. Le Vautour africain Gyps africanus est en danger critique d'extinction en raison du d & eacute;clin de sa population dans toute son aire de r & eacute;partition en Afrique, principalement d & ucirc; & agrave; mort par empoisonnement. Le corridor occidental de l'& eacute;cosyst & egrave;me du Serengeti, dans le nord de la Tanzanie, abrite un nombre important d'individus de cette esp & egrave;ce. Cependant, aucune information n'a & eacute;t & eacute; publi & eacute;e sur l'& eacute;tat de la population reproductrice et le succ & egrave;s de reproduction. Nous pr & eacute;sentons ici les r & eacute;sultats de cinq relev & eacute;s a & eacute;riens effectu & eacute;s entre 2013 et 2021 dans les r & eacute;serves d'Ikorongo et de Grumeti et dans la zone de gestion de la faune sauvage d'Ikona, et nous examinons l'& eacute;volution du taux de rencontre des nids. Des relev & eacute;s de nids ont & eacute;t & eacute; effectu & eacute;s en 2021 et 2022 afin d'examiner le succ & egrave;s de reproduction et les pr & eacute;f & eacute;rences en mati & egrave;re de sites de nidification. Afin de mieux comprendre les facteurs potentiels & agrave; l'origine des tendances observ & eacute;es, nous avons & eacute;valu & eacute; les changements dans la couverture arbor & eacute;e des zones riveraines entre 2012 et 2020 & agrave; l'aide de techniques de t & eacute;l & eacute;d & eacute;tection. Le taux de rencontre de nids dans la zone & eacute;tudi & eacute;e a diminu & eacute;, passant de 0.99 nid km-1 en 2013 & agrave; 0.43 nid km-1 en 2021. Le succ & egrave;s de reproduction & eacute;tait de 29.4%, ce qui est nettement inf & eacute;rieur & agrave; celui rapport & eacute; dans d'autres sites. La couverture arbor & eacute;e a diminu & eacute; de 28% au cours de la p & eacute;riode & eacute;tudi & eacute;e et les r & eacute;sultats sugg & egrave;rent que la perte d'habitat pourrait & ecirc;tre un facteur contribuant au d & eacute;clin observ & eacute; de la population reproductrice, mais des recherches suppl & eacute;mentaires sont n & eacute;cessaires. Les Vautours africains dans l'& eacute;cosyst & egrave;me du Serengeti n & eacute;cessitent une surveillance continue, une & eacute;valuation des facteurs & agrave; l'origine du d & eacute;clin de la couverture arbor & eacute;e et une & eacute;tude de la dynamique de la population reproductrice et des facteurs cl & eacute;s influen & ccedil;ant le succ & egrave;s de reproduction

Authorship of the southernmost subspecies of the Green-headed Oriole, Oriolus chlorocephalus speculifer, has been variously attributed to both Hans Edmund Wolters (1915-1991) and Phillip Alexander Clancey (1917-2001), or to Clancey alone. Some doubt has also surrounded when and where the original description was published. We demonstrate beyond doubt that the new nomen was first published in a paper in the Durban Museum Novitates on 11 April 1969, wherein authorship of the name was unambiguously credited to both men but no type was designated. In a subsequent paper, published on 20 August of the same year by Wolters and Clancey, and clearly intended to be the original description, the type material was clarified in greater detail and a single type was circumscribed, which under the ICZN Code must be considered a lectotype designation. L'attribution de la sous-esp & egrave;ce la plus m & eacute;ridionale du Loriot & agrave; t & ecirc;te verte Oriolus chlorocephalus speculifer a & eacute;t & eacute; diversement attribu & eacute;e & agrave; Hans Edmund Wolters (1915-1991) et & agrave; Phillip Alexander Clancey (1917-2001) ou juste & agrave; Clancey. Des incertitudes subsistent quant & agrave; la date et au lieu de publication de la description originale. Nous d & eacute;montrons sans & eacute;quivoque que le nouveau nom a & eacute;t & eacute; publi & eacute; pour la premi & egrave;re fois dans un article des Durban Museum Novitates le 11 avril 1969, o & ugrave; la paternit & eacute; du nom & eacute;tait clairement attribu & eacute;e aux deux hommes, sans qu'aucun type ne soit d & eacute;sign & eacute;. Dans un article ult & eacute;rieur, publi & eacute; le 20 ao & ucirc;t de la m & ecirc;me ann & eacute;e par Wolters et Clancey, et manifestement destin & eacute; & agrave; constituer la description originale, le mat & eacute;riel type a & eacute;t & eacute; pr & eacute;cis & eacute; et un seul type a & eacute;t & eacute; d & eacute;sign & eacute;, lequel, selon le Code International de Nomenclature Zoologique, doit & ecirc;tre consid & eacute;r & eacute; comme une d & eacute;signation de lectotype.

We conducted transect surveys in urban Pretoria, South Africa, to document interspecific interactions involving the invasive Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and coexisting species. During 90 standardised transect surveys across three suburban sites from April to August 2022 (outside the main breeding season for many bird species), we recorded 36 interspecific interactions between Common Mynas and other birds. Common Mynas were observed chasing or being aggressive towards other birds such as sparrows (Passer diffusus, P. domesticus) and doves (Streptopelia capicola, Spilopelia senegalensis). Of these encounters, 26 (72%, 95% CI: 56-84%) involved aggression, with Common Mynas initiating 86% of aggressive incidents. In most aggressive incidents, the other bird fled; only larger species (Cape Starlings Lamprotornis nitens) successfully retaliated. Such aggression may facilitate the displacement of native and non-native species from feeding sites or nesting areas. These findings provide evidence for interference competition by Common Mynas in South African urban environments and highlight the need for targeted management strategies to protect native bird communities. Nous avons conduit des transects afin de documenter les interactions intersp & eacute;cifiques entre le Martin triste Acridotheres tristis, une esp & egrave;ce envahissante en Afrique du Sud, et les esp & egrave;ces avec lesquelles il co-existe dans la ville de Pretoria. Au cours de 90 transects standardis & eacute;es, men & eacute;es sur trois sites suburbains entre avril et ao & ucirc;t 2022 (en dehors de la principale saison de reproduction de la plupart des esp & egrave;ces d'oiseaux de la r & eacute;gion), nous avons enregistr & eacute; 36 interactions intersp & eacute;cifiques entre des Martins tristes et d'autres oiseaux. Nous avons observ & eacute; des Martins tristes poursuivre ou se montrer agressifs envers d'autres oiseaux tels que des moineaux (Passer diffusus, P. domesticus) et des tourterelles (Streptopelia capicola, Spilopelia senegalensis). Parmi ces rencontres, 26 (72%, IC & agrave; 95%: 56-84%) ont donn & eacute; lieu & agrave; des agressions, avec les Martins tristes & agrave; l'origine de 86% des incidents agressifs. Dans la plupart des incidents agressifs, l'autre oiseau s'est enfui; seules les esp & egrave;ces plus grandes (Choucador & agrave; & eacute;paulettes rouges Lamprotornis nitens) ont r & eacute;ussi & agrave; se d & eacute;fendre. Une telle agressivit & eacute; peut faciliter le d & eacute;placement des esp & egrave;ces indig & egrave;nes des sites d'alimentation ou des zones de nidification. Ces r & eacute;sultats fournissent des preuves de la comp & eacute;tition par interf & eacute;rence des Martins tristes dans les environnements urbains sud-africains et soulignent la n & eacute;cessit & eacute; de strat & eacute;gies de gestion cibl & eacute;es pour prot & eacute;ger les communaut & eacute;s d'oiseaux indig & egrave;nes.