{"title":"The European laurel <i>Laurus nobilis</i> berries in the diet of the blackbird <i>Turdus merula</i>","authors":"Fabrizio Bulgarini, Fulvio Fraticelli","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.693","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.693","url":null,"abstract":"The feeding activity of frugivorous birds is influenced by the selection criteria for berry size. European laurel (Laurus nobilis), a dioecious species with high lipid and protein content in its berries, is dispersed by blackbird (Turdus merula). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between berry size and feeding behavior of blackbird. Field data was collected in a botanical park near Rome (Italy) and included seed collection, observation of regurgitation events, and bird population surveys. The volume and shape index of berries and seeds were measured, and statistical analyses were performed. The results showed a positive linear correlation between berry and seed volume. Blackbird selectively consumed larger berries, resulting in a higher percentage of pericarp as an energy resource. The birds exhibited a bimodal strategy, feeding on both large ellipsoidal and large round berries, which had a higher percentage of pericarp. The shape index of berries and seeds showed a significant difference between the control collection and those consumed by blackbird. The findings suggest a case of coevolution, with the plant optimizing seed dispersal by offering berries of different sizes to accommodate the feeding behavior of blackbird. This study provides insights into the ecological relationship between frugivorous birds and plants, highlighting the role of berry size in seed dispersal strategies.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":" 9","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135243571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Salvatore Surdo, Paolo Galasso, Manuel Andrea Zafarana
{"title":"The Red-throated pipit <i>Anthus cervinus</i> is a regular wintering in Sicily","authors":"Salvatore Surdo, Paolo Galasso, Manuel Andrea Zafarana","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.706","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.706","url":null,"abstract":"We present a review of the phenology of the Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus and its wintering status in Sicily. We collected and analysed 91 different records related to a total of 280 individuals. Data were collected both through direct observations on the field and by consulting recent literature and ornithological databases. The species has been regularly found overwintering during the last 11 winters (December 2012-January 2023), with the only exception of the winter of 2014/2015, likely due to the lack of coverage and targeted research, with an estimated population of 180-190 individuals. The average value is 3.07 individuals/records observed in 18 different locations related to four Sicilian provinces (Caltanissetta, Catania, Siracusa, Trapani), mainly near wetlands and, more specifically, in Mediterranean and thermo-Atlantic halophytic meadows and Mediterranean salt meadows. The number of wintering sites in the recent years appears to be increasing.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":" 33","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135243588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"First Record of Leucistic Jungle Babbler (<i>Turdoides striata</i>) from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh","authors":"Ankit Sinha, Preeti Gupta","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.699","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.699","url":null,"abstract":"Leucism is a genetic trait caused by a lack of melanin pigment in an animal’s skin, feathers, or fur. Unlike albinism, which is defined by a total lack of melanin synthesis, leucism is characterised by a partial loss of pigmentation. The definitions of leucism and various aspects of albinism are exceedingly vague. This very first documented report of a leucistic Jungle Babbler (Turdoides striata) in Northern India was made in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. More study is needed to look at the additional places of occurrence of these leucistic individuals, as well as the genetic basis of leucism in Jungle Babblers.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":" 30","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135243926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"First nesting of Goosander (Mergus merganser) in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont).","authors":"Pierluigi Beraudo","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.643","url":null,"abstract":"During 2022, at least three females were observed entering rock cavities overhanging streams or woods. At least one female has been observed accompanying five flightless chicks. [Article in Italian]","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89483906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New data on the expansion of the Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus oedicnemus in Sicily. A consideration of citizen science.","authors":"Salvatore Surdo, C. Cusimano, Rocco Lo Duca","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.671","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.671","url":null,"abstract":"In this work, we collected records of Eurasian Thick-knee observations in Sicily by using scientific literature, citizen science programs, and social networks as data sources. The aims of this work is creating a complete and up-to-date dataset, which also includes the authors’ targeted research in the field. As compared with records previously reported in literature, the data collected here, which cover the last fifteen years, show a clear expansion trend for the Eurasian Thick-knee in Sicily. About one third of these new records come from Facebook groups dedicated to biodiversity, thus underlining the usefulness of unconventional sources to gather data on species with poorly known distributions. [Article in Italian]","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88108810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Leo, G. Romanenghi, Diego Franchini, Marco Gobbini
{"title":"Spontaneous renaturalization of open ecosystems in the hills of Brescia seen through the bird community","authors":"R. Leo, G. Romanenghi, Diego Franchini, Marco Gobbini","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.667","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.667","url":null,"abstract":"The sun-exposed open areas of the Brescia hills overlooking the Po Valley (Avanalpica region) were created by man starting from the 11th century. After the Second World War, following agro-pastoral abandonment, these areas have significantly shrunk. The evolution underway is towards the deciduous forest although in some areas the strong presence of quarries is blocking the vegetational succession or delaying it. Local birds are now largely associated with woodland coenosis and more scarcely with open areas, shrublands and wood edges. Seven open areas species have become extinct over the past 30 years: Woodchat Shrike, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, Corn Bunting and Ortolan Bunting. Others, like Red-backed Shrike, Common Whitethroat, Cirl Bunting and Wood Lark have declined. Only the generalist Sardinian Warbler and Blue Rock-Thrush, typical of rocky areas with grassy spaces, are still relatively widespread although slightly decreasing. The Cirl Bunting, a species linked to traditional vineyards and orchards, is not expanding in the new intensively cultivated lands. The Eastern Subalpine Warbler is on the rise even though, due to its very low presence and lack of specific surveys, it may not have been detected in the past. The factors determining the presence of these species, i.e. traditional crops, flat open areas, soils with low grass and often with outcropping and/or rocky substrate, are in sharp decline. We can state that this bird community is negatively influenced by the percentage of tree cover and positively influenced by the presence of quarries which, however, represent an ephemeral and strongly impacting environment. In the absence of fires and/or natural disasters as well as human interventions, which are not likely to occur due to their poor economic sustainability, the prognosis for these birds is to be considered poor and a reduction in both bird and general biodiversity is to be expected.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80948752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marek Dostál, J. Škrábal, R. Raab, Matteo Caldarella, I. Literák
{"title":"Insight in a behaviour of Central European Red Kites wintering in Italy","authors":"Marek Dostál, J. Škrábal, R. Raab, Matteo Caldarella, I. Literák","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.630","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.630","url":null,"abstract":"Migration and over-wintering strategy of raptors can be influenced by many factors such as sex, age and experience of birds, habitat variability and food availability. Based on the telemetry data of nine Red Kites (Milvus milvus), we observed in situ their wintering grounds in southern Italy during winter 2019/2020. Red Kites originated from Austria and the Czech Republic arrived to their wintering grounds from 10th September to 5th December 2019 and departed between 9th February and 7th May 2020. Tagged Kites stayed in their wintering grounds from 73 to 207 days (mean 135±46 SD). These birds occupied home range and the core area from 39 to 9,351 km2 (KDE 95%; mean 3,591±3,460 SD) and 6 to 1,998 km2 (KDE 50%; mean 566±483 SD), respectively. We observed a total of 242 Red Kites at nine communal roost sites (min. = 14, max. = 45 individuals) used by tagged Red Kites. Roosts were situated at an average altitude of 630 m above sea level. Agricultural countryside with small or large fields, small or large forest patches, meadows, pastures, sheep or cattle farms surrounded areas around communal roosts of Red Kites.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"76 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88857535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Notes on a new breeding site for the endangered Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) in a touristic beach of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy","authors":"Giosué Cuccurullo, Elena Zwirner","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.663","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.663","url":null,"abstract":"We describe a new breeding site for the endangered Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), the first recorded in recent years along the coastline of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (NE Italy), and report the impact of the first protective measures implemented at this site. Throughout the breeding season, we recorded a total of 8 nests, 10 eggs, and 6 fledglings. These results show that simple measures have a highly positive effect on nesting attempts and on the overall reproductive success, and they highlight the possible coexistence of conservation measures and tourism.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"339 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77652896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A new successful breeding site of Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola along the northern Adriatic coastline","authors":"S. Sponza, Paolo Salvador","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.648","url":null,"abstract":"The Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola has a large and fragmented breeding distribution in the Palearctic. In Italy it is an uncommon migrant breeder and the breeding sites are very patchily distributed and irregularly used, with most frequent occurrences in the N Adriatic, N Apulia, Campania, Sardinia and Sicily. We report a new breeding site for the species along the northern Adriatic coastline in the Marano and Grado Lagoon (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, NE Italy), which represents the first breeding evidence for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73801382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. Fraticelli, F. Franco, Simone Martinelli, Sergio Muratore, Nicola Larroux, A. Pavesi
{"title":"Merlin Falco columbarius preys and feeds offshore","authors":"F. Fraticelli, F. Franco, Simone Martinelli, Sergio Muratore, Nicola Larroux, A. Pavesi","doi":"10.4081/rio.2023.664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2023.664","url":null,"abstract":"This short report describes two cases of predation carried out by Merlin Falco columbarius in open sea, highlighting the ability of this species to feed during active migration.","PeriodicalId":53351,"journal":{"name":"Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia Research in Ornithology","volume":"1996 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82462784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}