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Over the past decades, the Magpie, which has ecological and behavioral flexibility, has colonized many cities. In this study, we examine the effect of urban disturbance on nesting density of the Magpie and nest height in a city in the south-eastern Baltic region. The studies were carried out in Kaliningrad (54°43’N, 20°30’E) during the leafless period in 2018–2021 in green residential areas with a predominance of 5-storey buildings (“residential area”) and low-rise individual housing areas (“individual houses”). In the residential area, nest counts were carried out separately in the central part of the city and outside the city center. Based on literature data on urban populations of the Magpie in other cities, we predict that: (1) in the central part of the city there will be a higher nesting density of magpies and (2) in the central part of the city, nests will be located higher than outside the central part of the city. The results obtained did not confirm these assumptions. The average nesting density in residential areas in the city center and outside the city center was virtually the same. And, in addition, in the residential area in the city center, nests were on average located lower than in the residential area outside the central part of the city, but the differences were not statistically significant and the median values of these city zones coincide. The work also provides data on the placement of nests on various types of trees and shrubs. The Hooded crow, being the main predator and competitor of the Magpie, shares the same habitats in Kaliningrad. This coexistence could potentially slow down the increase in Magpie nesting density, especially in the residential area of the city centre, where the nesting density of the Hooded crow is significantly higher than outside the city centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In medieval tales of oriental origin, the parrot appears as a bird with the ability to speak like humans. This characteristic makes it the protagonist of some stories because it allows it to act as a spy for the jealous husband. However, ultimately, this will be the cause of its death as the bird will fall into the trap of the cunning spied wife. This paper will trace a brief journey from the tales of the Castilian Calila e Dimna and the Sendebar to their later derivations and will analyse the causes of the substitution of the colourful parrot for the more ordinary magpie in these later texts, now fully peninsular.

Individual differences in cognitive performance can have genetic, social and environmental components. Most research on the heritability of cognitive traits comes from humans or captive non-human animals, while less attention has been given to wild populations. Western Australian magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen dorsalis, hereafter magpies) show phenotypic variation in cognitive performance, which affects reproductive success. Despite high levels of individual repeatability, we do not know whether cognitive performance is heritable in this species. Here, we quantify the broad-sense heritability of associative learning ability in a wild population of Western Australian magpies. Specifically, we explore whether offspring associative learning performance is predicted by maternal associative learning performance or by the social environment (group size) when tested at three time points during the first year of life. We found little evidence that offspring associative learning performance is heritable, with an estimated broad-sense heritability of just −0.046 ± 0.084 (confidence interval: −0.234/0.140). However, complementing previous findings, we find that at 300 days post-fledging, individuals raised in larger groups passed the test in fewer trials compared with individuals from small groups. Our results highlight the pivotal influence of the social environment on cognitive development.

Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the detection of plexus sacralis and its branches of Magpie (Pica pica) and Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) and to correlate the anatomic differences between these studied species. Materials and Methods: In the study, 20 each magpies and Chukar partridges were used. Under anesthesia, the studied birds were sacrificed. Then all the nerves separating from the plexus sacralis were separately dissected and photographed Results: In wingeds, plexus sacralis usually occurs as a result of a combination of ventral primary branches of 1-5 sacral spinal nerves. In the study, it was observed that formation of plexus sacralis and general anatomic distribution of nerves arising from plexus in both the species were similar with other species of birds. However, nerves forming the plexus sacralis and their branches were thicker in Chukar partridge than Magpie. Conclusion: In conclusion, in the Magpie and Chukar partridge, anatomical distribution and nerve structure of plexus sacralis were determined, and it was observed that there was no major anatomical difference between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most serious diseases affecting poultry worldwide. In 2022, we studied two strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from pigeons and magpies identified by PCR and propagated in SPF chicken embryos. The whole genome of the virus was then expanded and its biological characteristics were studied. The results showed that NDV was isolated from pigeons and magpies. Virus present in the allantoic fluid could agglutinate red blood cells and could not be neutralized by serum positive for avian influenza. Sequencing showed that the gene length of the two isolates was 15,191 bp, had high homology and was located in the same branch of the phylogenetic tree, both belonging to genotype VI.1.1. The sequence of 112–117 amino acids in the F gene sequence was 112R-R-Q-K-R-F117, which constituted virulent strain characteristics. The HN gene contained 577 amino acids, which is also consistent with the characteristics of a virulent strain. The results from the study of biological characteristics revealed that the virulence of SX/TY/Pi01/22 was slightly stronger. There were only four different bases in the complete sequence of the two strains. Comprehensive analysis revealed that the G at 11,847 site of the SX/TY/Ma01/22 strain may change to T, leading to translation of amino acids from R to S, thereby weakening viral virulence. Therefore, NDV was transmitted from pigeons to magpies, indicating that the pathogen could be transmitted between poultry and wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) population and to give a detailed characterization of the nest site selection in the lower Zeta area. Data were collected in spring 2022. The findings of this study are compared to those obtained in other studies. A total of 73 active Magpie nests were censused in the River Zeta valley (lower part). One of the key factors is food availability. Breeding density, or nests, of Magpies in lower Zeta valley was 0.86 pairs/10 ha. The results showed that the first nest building occurred at the end of February, but most pairs started in March. Nests were found in 23 trees and in two shrub species. Magpies build nests in strong and tall trees. Taller tree species were preferred to shorter ones and also broadleaved trees (ca 93%) were preferred to coniferous ones (over 40 % of all nests in 2 tree species but also over 60% of all nests in 5 tree species). The type of tree arrangement most frequently used for nesting was single trees (57.5%). The nests distance from the top of the canopy was 0.5 to 4.0 m, demonstrating the Magpie's tendency to place their nests high in the very tops of trees in the rural areas. Distance of nests from the source of food (pigsty, hen house, cowshed, stable, barn, granary, etc.) was up to 50 m in 80.8% of nests. The study shows that Magpies can adapt to changing climate factors, and changes in the choice of introduction tree species help the Eurasian magpie to adapt to climatic and anthropogenic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust understanding of cognitive variation at the individual level is essential to understand selection for and against cognitive traits. Studies of animal cognition often assume that within-individual performance is highly consistent. When repeated tests of individuals have been conducted, the effects of test order (the overall sequence in which different tests are conducted) and test number (the ordinal number indicating when a specific test falls within a sequence)—in particular the potential for individual performance to improve with repeated testing—have received limited attention. In our study, we investigated test order and test number effects on individual performance in three inhibitory control tests in Western Australian magpies (Cracticus tibicen dorsalis). We presented adult magpies with three novel inhibitory control tasks (detour-reaching apparatuses) in random order to test whether experience of cognitive testing and the order in which the apparatuses were presented were predictors of cognitive performance. We found that neither test number nor test order had an effect on cognitive performance of individual magpies when presenting different variants of inhibitory control tasks. This suggests that repeated testing of the same cognitive trait, using causally identical but visually distinct cognitive tasks, does not confound cognitive performance. We recommend that repeated testing effects of cognitive performance in other species be studied to broadly determine the validity of repeated testing in animal cognition studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The selection of a nest site is crucial for successful reproduction of birds. Animals which re‐use or occupy nest sites constructed by other species often have limited choice. Little is known about the criteria of nest‐stealing species to choose suitable nesting sites and habitats. Here, we analyze breeding‐site selection of an obligatory “nest‐cleptoparasite”, the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis. We collected data on nest sites at Muraviovka Park in the Russian Far East, where the species breeds exclusively in nests of the Eurasian Magpie Pica pica. We sampled 117 Eurasian Magpie nests, 38 of which were occupied by Amur Falcons. Nest‐specific variables were assessed, and a recently developed habitat classification map was used to derive landscape metrics. We found that Amur Falcons chose a wide range of nesting sites, but significantly preferred nests with a domed roof. Breeding pairs of Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo and Eurasian Magpie were often found to breed near the nest in about the same distance as neighboring Amur Falcon pairs. Additionally, the occurrence of the species was positively associated with bare soil cover, forest cover, and shrub patches within their home range and negatively with the distance to wetlands. Areas of wetlands and fallow land might be used for foraging since Amur Falcons mostly depend on an insect diet. Additionally, we found that rarely burned habitats were preferred. Overall, the effect of landscape variables on the choice of actual nest sites appeared to be rather small. We used different classification methods to predict the probability of occurrence, of which the Random forest method showed the highest accuracy. The areas determined as suitable habitat showed a high concordance with the actual nest locations. We conclude that Amur Falcons prefer to occupy newly built (domed) nests to ensure high nest quality, as well as nests surrounded by available feeding habitats.

The purpose of the research is to systematize the long-term data on study of nematode fauna of Corvidae family birds of Volga river delta. Materials and methods. Data of helminthological researches carried out during the period from 1936 to 2017 in different landscape zones of Volga river delta are included into the project. The study of the species composition of the nematode fauna was carried out based on analysis of own and literature data received during helminthological autopsy of the Corvidae family birds belonging to 3 species: hooded crow (Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758), rook (Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758), magpie (Picapica Linnaeus, 1758). Traditional methods were used during collection and handling of helminthological material (Skryabin, 1928; Dubinina, 1955). Nematodes have been fixed by the mixture made from equal parts of 70% alcohol, lactic acid and 50% glycerol, 4% formalin solution or in Barbagallo liquid. Nematodes have been identified by famous indicators. Results and discussion. 480 specimen of Corvidae family birds, 170 specimen of which had been infested by nematode worms, were investigated in order to study helminthofauna at Volga river delta from 1936 to nowadays. Having summarized the literature data with the results from own study of Corvidae family parasitophauna we have made a taxonomical list including 17 species of nematodes. During the period from 1976 to 2017 we have been discovering 3 species of nematodes for the first time: Microtetrameres helix (Cram, 1927) - in a rook, Oxyspirura sygmoidea (Molin, 1860) - in a rook, a magpie and a hooded crow, Pseudaprocta decorata (Li, 1933) - in a magpie. 2 species of nematodes have been registered in Corvidae family as in new hosts in the studied region too. Baruscapillaria corvorum (Rudolphi, 1819) - in a hooded crow, a magpie and Diplotriaena tricuspis (Fedtschenko, 1874) - in a hooded crow.

Natural hybridization increases a lot phenotypic and genetic diversity and shapes intra-species patterns, which is a subject of phylogeography. We studied mitochondrial and complete genome variation in the bird family Corvidae, genera Corvus, Pica, Cyanopica, Perisoreus and Nucifraga. In the classic case of natural hybridization between carrion and hooded crows in Siberia, we found no decreased fitness of hybrids, but instead positive assortative mating which should restrict hybrid zone width. Several genetic markers were unable to discriminate between pure carrion and hooded crows. Mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed no difference between carrion and hooded crows, but instead two diverged haplogroups within the eastern part of the distribution range of the carrion crow. NGS resulted in a clear pattern of diversification of pure forms and hybrids (by using SNPs), and showed genomic regions of increased variability, the so-called “speciation islands”. Comparing European and Siberian crow hybrid zones, differences in genome regions bearing genes of melanogenesis supposedly under divergent selection were found. Comparative phylogeographic analysis of 10 widely distributed Palearctic species revealed two kinds of patterns: one with a division into two haplogroups, western and eastern, and another one without such a division. These two phylogeographic patterns might be explained by different habitat preferences: mainly open fields for the first group and forests for the second one. One glacial refuge was assigned to the latter group, while west-east group species might have survived in several refuges. One of such species, the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) has a gap in its range in Transbaikalia, which is currently shrinking before our eyes. The two subspecies divided by this gap differ in phenotype, mtDNA and vocalization. In their young contact zone, some hybridization occurs with small introgression limited by certain post-zygotic isolation.

Take-off is a critical phase of flight, and many birds jump to take to the air. Although the actuation of the hindlimb in terrestrial birds is not limited to the sagittal plane, and considerable non-sagittal plane motion has been observed during take-off jumps, how the spatial arrangement of hindlimb muscles in flying birds facilitates such jumps has received little attention. This study aims to ascertain the 3D hip muscle function in the magpie (Pica pica), a bird known to jump to take-off. A musculoskeletal model of the magpie hindlimb was developed using μCT scans (isotropic resolution of 18.2 μm) to derive bone surfaces, while the 3D muscle path definition was further informed by the literature. Function was robustly characterized by determining the 3D moment-generating capacity of 14 hip muscles over the functional joint range of motion during a take-off leap considering variations across the attachment areas and uncertainty in dynamic muscle geometry. Ratios of peak flexion-extension (FE) to internal-external rotation (IER) and abduction-adduction (ABD) moment-generating capacity were indicators of muscle function. Analyses of 972 variations of the 3D muscle paths showed that 11 of 14 muscles can act as either flexor or extensor, while all 14 muscles demonstrated the capacity to act as internal or external rotators of the hip with the mean ratios of peak FE to IER and ABD moment-generating capacity were 0.89 and 0.31, respectively. Moment-generating capacity in IER approaching levels in the FE moment-generating capacity determined here underline that the avian hip muscle function is not limited to the sagittal plane. Together with previous findings on the 3D nature of hindlimb kinematics, our results suggest that musculoskeletal models to develop a more detailed understanding of how birds orchestrate the use of muscles during a take-off jump cannot be restricted to the sagittal plane.

The use of wind turbines for energy generation has complex impacts on ecosystems, especially for flying wildlife. Given the importance of birds in many ecosystems and food webs, they are often used as ecological indicators to evaluate the direct (e.g., collision mortality) and indirect (e.g., habitat degradation and loss, low food available) impact of wind farms. To test the effect of wind farms on the nest distribution of magpie (Pica pica), a common bird species in agroforestry systems on Chongming Island, China, the differences in magpie nest density variables and character variables were compared between quadrats inside and outside a wind farm. The relationship between magpie nest character variables and density variables in each quadrat was also examined and the impacts of landscape variables on magpie nest density variables were clarified in each quadrat. From March to December 2019, nest density variables (including total and in-use nest density) were recorded in quadrats inside and outside a wind farm in an agroforestry system on Chongming Island, Shanghai. Three nest character variables and five landscape variables were also recorded in each quadrat. The total nest density and nesting height in the quadrats outside were significantly higher than those inside the wind farm. There was a significant negative correlation between the average nest size in the quadrats and the total nest density, and a significant positive correlation between the average nesting height in the quadrats and both nest density variables. Moreover, farmland shelterbelt network cover and the distance to the nearest wind turbine were significantly positively related to the total nest density, whereas the farmland shelterbelt network cover was significantly positively related to the in-use nest density. These results indicate a negative effect of wind turbines on the nest density of magpies, which could be addressed by the provision of more farmland shelterbelt networks inside the wind farms located in agroforestry systems on Chongming Island, China.

The present article explicates a selection of bird imagery in Sasha Sokolov's second novel, Between Dog and Wolf (1980). It analyzes the author's use of certain birds and their folkloric and mythological subtexts for symbolic purposes. In particular, he pairs his protagonists with key birds (hoopoe, lapwing, goose, magpie, albatross) to underscore aspects of their personalities, behaviors, relationships, and experiences. This ornithic imagery emphasizes how the characters cannot overcome their temptations and other base feelings to attain higher meaning and ultimately remain bound to the physical, natural world. (For a plot synopsis of Between Dog and Wolf , please consult the introduction to this issue of CASS.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental care is a costly behaviour that raises the prospects of offspring survival. In species with biparental care these costs are shared by both parents, although there may be a conflict regarding the relative investment of each sex. Avian brood parasites leave all the costs of rearing offspring to their hosts. The magnitude of these costs and their consequences on the relative role of both sexes in parental care and future reproduction remain mostly unknown. Here, we investigate whether provisioning rate of nestlings by magpie hosts Pica pica differs between broods parasitized by the great spotted cuckoo Clamator glandarius and non‐parasitized broods, and whether the relative contribution of each sex to provisioning is affected by parasitism. Furthermore, we explore the effect of parasitism on magpie's future reproduction. We found that provisioning rate was similar in parasitized and non‐parasitized broods, and that the relative contribution of males and females was also similar, irrespectively of the parasitism status. However, rearing parasitic offspring seems to have a negative long‐term effect on magpie's breeding phenology in the following breeding season. Our results suggest that, although brood parasitism by great spotted cuckoos does not seem to influence the relative contribution of both sexes to parental care, it may entail long‐term extra costs in terms of breeding delay for magpies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes select and discriminate between potential avian hosts is critical for understanding the epidemiology of West Nile virus. Therefore, the present authors studied the behavioural responses of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) and Culex pipiens molestus (Forsskål) to headspace volatiles of three avian species [chicken and pigeon (sexes analysed separately), and magpie], presented either alone or in combination with 600 p.p.m. carbon dioxide (CO2). The attraction of Cx. quinquefasciatus to the headspace volatiles of both sexes of chicken, and of female pigeon, in combination with CO2 was significantly higher than that achieved by the CO2 and solvent control. Although Cx. p. molestus was attracted to headspace volatiles of chickens and magpies, it was repelled by those of female pigeons when combined with CO2. An increased effect between the avian volatiles and CO2 was observed for Cx. quinquefasciatus, whereas the addition of CO2 had no effect on the attraction of Cx. p. molestus females. The results of this study demonstrate that Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. p. molestus are attracted to the odour of potential avian hosts. Future studies aimed at identifying the bioactive volatile compounds in the headspace of chickens may contribute to the potential development of effective surveillance and control tools against Culex species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the strength or nature of a host-parasite interaction changes over the host life cycle, the consequences of parasitism can depend on host population age structure. Avian brood parasites reduce hosts' breeding success, and host age may play a role in this interaction if younger hosts are more likely parasitized and/or less able to defend themselves. We analyzed whether the age of female magpie (Pica pica) hosts is associated with parasite attack or their ability to reject foreign eggs. We recorded parasitism and model egg rejection of known-age individuals over their lifetime and established whether the likelihood of parasitism or egg rejection changed with age or longevity. Parasitism probability did not change with female age, and there was a trend toward longer-lived females being less likely to be parasitized. However, model egg rejection probability increased with age for each individual female, and longer-lived females were more prone to reject model eggs. Most females in the population were young, and the majority of them accepted model eggs, suggesting that brood parasites exploiting younger host individuals are benefitting from a lower defense level of their hosts. Our results stress that the intensity of selection by brood parasites may be mediated by the age structure of host populations, a to-date neglected aspect in brood parasite–host research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that some members of the crow family (Corvidae) are important for seed dispersal either via frugivory (e.g., when feeding on berries) or by scatter hoarding (e.g., of nuts). Dispersal via gut passage of seeds within a fleshy fruit can be considered “classical endozoochory.” However, corvids are rarely recognized as vectors of plants lacking a fleshy fruit, or a large nut (such as plants with a dry achene, capsule or caryopsis). Dispersal of such seeds via gut passage can be considered “non-classical endozoochory.” A century ago, Heintze (1917a,b); Heintze (1918) reported on extensive field studies of seed dispersal by 11 species of European Corvidae. His work is overlooked in contemporary reviews of corvid biology. We resurrect his work, which suggests that contemporary views about seed dispersal by corvids are too narrow. Heintze identified 157 plant taxa from 42 families which were dispersed by corvids by endozoochory, as well as another nine taxa only dispersed by synzoochory (which includes scatter-hoarding). Most (54%) of the plant species dispersed by endozoochory lack a fleshy fruit and have previously been assigned to other dispersal syndromes, mainly associated with wind (10%), self-dispersal (22%) or epizoochory (18%). Plants lacking a fleshy fruit were particularly well-represented from the Caryophyllaceae (12 species), Poaceae (14 species), and Polygonaceae (8 species). Of 27 taxa germinated by Heintze from seeds extracted from corvid pellets or feces (71% of those tested), 20 lack a fleshy fruit. Similarly, of 32 taxa he recorded as seedlings having germinated from pellets in the field, 11 lacked a fleshy fruit. However, Heintze's quantitative data show that classical endozoochory is dominant in Magpies Pica pica and Hooded Crows Corvus cornix, for which 97% of seeds dispersed were fleshy-fruited. Corvids overlap with waterfowl as vectors of terrestrial plants dispersed by non-classical endozoochory, and 56 species are dispersed by both corvids and dabbling ducks according to the lists of Heintze and Soons et al. (2016). Finally, Heintze's data show that corvids were already dispersing alien plants in Europe a century ago, such as the North American Dwarf Serviceberry Amelanchier spicata.

The Magpie Pica pica occurs all over open agricultural areas in Poland, especially near human settlements (particularly in western Poland). The aim of this study was to estimate the size of the local Magpie population and characterize, in detail, nest site selection in a medium size city Górzów Wlkp. in the XXI century. For this study, the whole city was divided into a total of 114 squares of 1 × 1 km. Data were collected in spring 2014. A total of 474 Magpie pairs were recorded. The average density was 5.5 pairs/km2 (min = 0, max = 22 nests/square), in the non-urbanized habitat type—3.7 p/km2, and in the urbanized habitat type—13.5 p/km2. Magpie nests were found most often on Spruces Picea sp. and Poplars Populus sp. The mean height of the nest site was 11.5 m, while the mean height of trees used for nesting was 13.4 m. The type of tree arrangement most frequently used for nesting was tree rows (26.3%), followed by single trees (24.6%) and clusters of 4–10 trees (20.1%). The results for the Magpie’s environmental preferences do not differ from the general patterns described earlier. The study shows that magpies can adapt to changing urbanization factors, and changes in the choice of conifers help the species to adapt to highly anthropogenic habitats.

The selection of a nest site is crucial for successful reproduction of birds. Animals which re‐use or occupy nest sites constructed by other species often have limited choice. Little is known about the criteria of nest‐stealing species to choose suitable nesting sites and habitats. Here, we analyze breeding‐site selection of an obligatory "nest‐cleptoparasite", the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis. We collected data on nest sites at Muraviovka Park in the Russian Far East, where the species breeds exclusively in nests of the Eurasian Magpie Pica pica. We sampled 117 Eurasian Magpie nests, 38 of which were occupied by Amur Falcons. Nest‐specific variables were assessed, and a recently developed habitat classification map was used to derive landscape metrics. We found that Amur Falcons chose a wide range of nesting sites, but significantly preferred nests with a domed roof. Breeding pairs of Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo and Eurasian Magpie were often found to breed near the nest in about the same distance as neighboring Amur Falcon pairs. Additionally, the occurrence of the species was positively associated with bare soil cover, forest cover, and shrub patches within their home range and negatively with the distance to wetlands. Areas of wetlands and fallow land might be used for foraging since Amur Falcons mostly depend on an insect diet. Additionally, we found that rarely burned habitats were preferred. Overall, the effect of landscape variables on the choice of actual nest sites appeared to be rather small. We used different classification methods to predict the probability of occurrence, of which the Random forest method showed the highest accuracy. The areas determined as suitable habitat showed a high concordance with the actual nest locations. We conclude that Amur Falcons prefer to occupy newly built (domed) nests to ensure high nest quality, as well as nests surrounded by available feeding habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In poultry, the nervous system has many differences among species. The intumescentia lumbosacralis is one of the enlargements of the medulla spinalis, and the lumbosacral plexus originates from here. The nerves which are responsible for the innervation of the hind limbs and pelvic region originate in the lumbosacral plexus. The aim of this study was to compare the lumbar plexus (plexus lumbalis) of magpies (Pica pica) and chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar). In the present study, 20 magpies and 20 chukar partridges were used. The nerves that form the lumbar plexus were dissected separately and photographed in both species. In both studied species, the lumbar plexus was formed by the ventral rami of the second, third, and fourth synsacral spinal nerves at the ventrolateral part of the synsacrum. It was noted that the nervus (n.) cutaneus femoris, n. coxalis cranialis, n. femoralis, n. saphenus, and n. obturatorius originate from this plexus. In conclusion, in both species, the formation of the lumbar plexus and the nerves that originate from this plexus are similar to each other and similar to many winged species. There are also some minimal differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of mechanisms underlying host selection by brood parasites usually lays on selection by parasites of host traits that inform on host parental abilities or location. However, brood parasites might use information extracted from past reproductive performance of either their hosts or themselves, a possibility almost neglected. In this study, we use a long-term data set to analyze whether the probability of parasitism by great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius) of a magpie (Pica pica) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The restart of the Transient Reactor Test facility (TREAT) will once again provide the capability for rapid transient testing of fuel concepts. Under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Material Management and Minimization, research is underway to assess the feasibility of converting the current high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel in TREAT to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. The LEU concept retains the fuel process that results in micrometer-sized UO2 fuel grains dispersed in a graphite moderator matrix. The LEU fuel design includes more 238U, which fundamentally changes the feedback mechanisms in the fuel. To explore the effects of conversion on a pulse transient, a simplified semi-infinite TREAT fuel element model of both the HEU and proposed LEU configurations was simulated using MAMMOTH with the requisite multiscale and multiphysics coupling. The developed method incorporates fission energy deposition at microscale locations from the Mesoscale Atomistic Glue Program for Integrated Execution (Magpie), heterogeneity effects from the microscale model in the form of time lag, and independent feedback temperature sources from the microscale fuel grain model and surrounding moderator. The fuel grain size was varied along with temperature feedback sources to explore the feedback mechanisms. Significant differences between fuel and graphite temperatures were found to develop for transients with large energy depositions, for large fuel grains, and for fission-fragment irradiated graphite. These differences in temperature do not influence the feedback for HEU fuel but have a significant effect on LEU fuel. The difference between HEU and LEU fuel is caused by the fuel temperature feedback coefficient for LEU fuel that is roughly 20% of the graphite temperature feedback coefficient. The immediate equilibrium assumption is invalid for LEU fuel in certain TREAT operating regimes. As the conversion of TREAT to LEU fuel aims to conserve HEU capabilities, MAMMOTH simulations of the LEU model explore the effects of matching the same period, peak power density, and deposited energy of the HEU model. The same pulse shape was not achievable due to the feedback mechanism changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Machine Learning models are trained to predict bandgap and stability. • Validation of Regression model with Material Projects Data is performed. • Screening of ∼ 240 K prototypes to obtain 6855 new perovskites is done. • Comparative study is performed for DFT and ML predictions for RbSeF 3. In this work, machine learning (ML) techniques are used to discover perovskite structures. ML models are built using the bandgap, as a proxy to represent the efficiency of the solar cell materials. The dataset containing well-known perovskite materials along with bandgaps listed in the open-source database, is used in the learning process. 10-fold cross-validation results show that the random forest (RF) algorithm has better performance as compared to other models. A prediction pool of ∼ 240 K compounds with 7 different prototype structures is created, many of these compounds have never been explored. The RF model is then used to predict the bandgap of new perovskite materials. By screening materials based on formability 6855 new candidates are obtained. For the validation of results, DFT calculation is performed and compared with ML-predicted properties for a new compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acute oral LD50 of Compound 1080 to magpies was estimated at 1.78 mg/kg indoors, 1.91 mg/kg outdoors in summer, and 2.30 mg/kg outdoors in winter. Postmortem 1080 residues were detected in 75 of76 treated birds. Higher doses yielded higher 1080 residues. Within dose levels, birds surviving longer carried lower residues. In a separate test, an average residue of 0.09 ppm was found in 8 birds treated at 1.59 mg/kg and euthanized 24 h post dosing. The adjusted dietary LC50 of Compound 1080 to magpies tested indoors was estimated at 16 ppm. During LC50 tests, the influence of 1080 on food consumption and bird weight varied. Birds receiving low doses were unaffected and those receiving high doses died quickly. Birds that were affected but did not die quickly, usually lost weight but only slightly reduced food intake. All birds that died had detectable 1080 residue in breast muscle. Birds fed higher 1080 dietary concentrations probably exhibited higher residues postmortem. Our adjusted average LD50 (2.12 mg/kg) appeared somewhat higher than reported in the literature; nonetheless, magpies are very sensitive to 1080. No sex differences were noted. Age, metabolic influences, or cold temperatures might explain the high LD50 value estimated for winter. The detection of 1080 residue in tissue samples is a useful tool for assessing 1080 exposure in magpies−but it might not be unequivocal.

In this study, scenarios of changes in land-use patterns, agricultural production and climate, and their effects on water demand and availability in the São Francisco river basin (Brazil) are analysed. The global driver population growth, economic development, and trade liberalization are included. Using the regionalized version of a global agro-economic land- and water use model, impacts are analysed for two scenarios: a regionalized world with slow economic development, high population growth, and little awareness of environmental problems (A2), and a globalized world with low population growth, high gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and environmental sustainability (B1). A regional ecohydrological model is used to analyse the effect of these scenarios on water demand and availability. The climate scenarios in general show a wetter future (years 2021 – 2050), with wetter rainy seasons and drier dry seasons. The water availability for irrigated agriculture is high, while hydropower generation is declining by 3.2% (A2) and 1.7% (B1) compared to the reference.

Common magpies (Corvidae: Pica pica) distribute through rural and urban areas of Turkey. Because of their distribution in urbanised regions, magpies may have some potential infectious agents which may relate to domestic animals and humans. In this study, eight common magpies brought to the animal hospital in need of medical intervention were examined for endoparasites and bacteria in a one-year period. Additionally, histopathologic examinations with related organs were carried out along with endo-parasitical, cytological and microbial examination the following necropsy. As results of the necropsies, three parasite species including two helminths and one protozoan (Passerilepis sp., Brachylaima sp., Isospora rochalimai, respectively) were identified, while Staphylococcus xylosus, S. sciuri, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella spp. were isolated after microbiological examination. Histopathology revealed that subacute focal mycotic pneumonia, chronic nonpurulent granulomatous gastroenteritis, verminous enteritis, and the presence of paratyphoid nodules in liver. Both of the parasites and bacteria are the first records for Turkey's helminth/bacterial fauna in wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—This paper analyzes the long-term (1978-2017) observations of the nesting dynamics of three corvid species, i.e., the gray crow, magpie, and rook. Inhabited nests were recorded at the beginning of the reproductive period of these Corvidae species in the northwestern part of the city of Moscow and Moscow oblast along railways and highways. From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, gray crows actively penetrated into the urban landscape and increased the number of breeding pairs in the areas studied. Nevertheless, over the next 25 years there was a decrease in breeding density. Currently, the number of breeding pairs has stabilized at 45-56 pairs per observation trek (from Leningradskii Railway Station to Kryukovo Station), which is lower than at the beginning of the observation period. Magpies have failed to move into the urban environment, but the breeding success of the species has increased in recent years. Rooks use the urban environment solely for hibernation, and this species does not nest in Moscow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to recognize the histological structure of retina in the eye of two Iraqi vertebrates, the difference of the class, the environment and the nature of nutrition; Magpie Pica pica, and Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus. The results showed that, the retina of the Magpie is avascular, while retina in Brown Rat is vascular , in both species the retina consists of two main layers: Pigmented epithelium and Neural layer which composed of nine layers are : Visual cells layer, Outer limiting membrane, External nuclear layer, External plexiform layer, Internal nuclear layer, Internal plexiform layer, Ganglion cell layer, Optic nerve fiber layer and Inner limiting membrane. The pigmented epithelium consists of cuboidal epithelial cells, extending cytoplasmic projection toward visual cells. Visual cell layer was composed of rods and cones in magpie, while in Brown Rat composed of rods only. The outer plexiform layer is less thicker than the inner plexiform layer in both type. The number of rows outer nuclear layer less than a number of rows the inner nuclear layer in magpie, while The number of rows outer nuclear layer more than a number of rows the inner nuclear layer in Brown Rat. The retina has been characterized in magpie by the presence of fovea . It can be concluded that the differences in the density of visual cells in the species studied were due to increase visual acuity and light level sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract relational concepts depend upon relationships between stimuli (e.g., same vs. different) and transcend features of the training stimuli. Recent evidence shows that learning abstract concepts is shared across a variety species including birds. Our recent work with a highly-skilled food-storing bird, Clark's nutcracker, revealed superior same/different abstract-concept learning compared to rhesus monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and pigeons. Here we test a more social, but less reliant on food-storing, corvid species, the Black-billed magpie ( Pica hudsonia). We used the same procedures and training exemplars (eight pairs of the same rule, and 56 pairs of the different rule) as were used to test the other species. Magpies ( n = 10) showed a level of abstract-concept learning that was equivalent to nutcrackers and greater than the primates and pigeons tested with these same exemplars. These findings suggest that superior initial abstract-concept learning abilities may be shared across corvids generally, rather than confined to those strongly reliant on spatial memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of oscine birds including crows, rooks, mag­pies, jays, chough, and ravens. These birds are migratory species, especially in the shortage of foods, so they can act like vectors for a wide range of microorganisms. They live generally in temper­ate climates and in a very close contact with human residential areas as well as poultry farms. There is no available information in the literature concerning the parasitic infections of these three species of corvidae in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, so this study was con­ducted to clarify this.Methods: As there are three species of corvid birds in Mazandaran Province, 106 birds including 79 magpies, 11 rooks, and 16 carrion crows were examined between winter 2007 and spring 2008 at post mortem for gastrointestinal helminths. The helminths were drawn and identified morphologi­cally in the Laboratory of Parasitology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Re­search Branch, Tehran and also partly in the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, based on the reference books and identification keys like Soulsby, Khalil et al. and Anderson et al.Results: Four species of nematodes, 2 species of cestodes, 1 species of trematodes and 1 species of acanthocephalans were identified in these three corvid species.Conclusion: Five species of the helminths are identified for the first time in Iran, and the acantho­cephalan species is new host record for rooks. It is clear that these corvid birds have di­verse range of helminths and can act as carriers for infecting the domestic fowls.

The present study aims to measure Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in feathers of Magpies in urban areas to investigate the possibility of using Magpies to monitor metal contamination in urban areas. A total of 15 bird samples were collected in October 2013 from Aran-O-Bidgol City, in Central Iran and the concentration of metals were measured using a PerkinElmer ICP-OES. The average concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in the feathers were 167.16, 26.74, 9.29 and 1.583 µg/g dw, respectively. There were no significant differences in metal concentrations between various genders, ages and sites. However, the highest and lowest concentrations of non-essential elements were observed in the adult males and adult females, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between the concentrations of Cu and Zn as well as Pb and Cd. Moreover, wing length had the highest correlation with metals concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreas is a gland, consisted of endocrine and exocrine areas and shows some characteristic and functional differences between animal species. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the macro-anatomical and histologic features of magpie (Pica pica)'s pancreas by histologic methods. In the study, magpies pancreas lobes obtained were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution. Fixed tissues were dehydrated in alcohol series, cleaned in xylene and embedded in paraffin blocks and paraffin block were cut and obtained 5-μm thickness of sections. The section was histologically and immunohistochemically stained and endocrine and exocrine areas were examined. Exocrine pancreas consisted of numerous serous acinus and endocrine pancreas were 1-2% ratio of total pancreas and located in especially near the blood vessels. Also, it was observed that endocrine islets were consisted of alpha, beta and mix islets. The results of this study revealed that endocrine and exocrine pancreas could show the some characteristic and functional differences depending on feeding habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of predators on bird populations is controversial and poorly understood, especially in urban areas where predator densities can be particularly high. We assessed if fine-scale spatial variation in predator activity and proximity have direct and indirect effects on urban songbird distributions and breeding success, by testing the hypotheses that (1) songbirds that are sensitive to nest predation select territories with reduced activity of nest predators; (2) blackbird Turdus merula, a species that experiences high nest predation rates, lays smaller clutches in territories located in areas with higher numbers of nest predators as predicted by Skutch's hypothesis; (3) songbirds that are sensitive to nest predation have higher nest predation rates in areas with greater predator activity. We tested these hypotheses using two sites in urban Sheffield, UK, and focus on nest predatory corvids and grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis. We found no evidence that songbirds that are most sensitive to nest predation adjust their territory location in response to fine-scale spatial variation in predator distributions. It thus seems unlikely that urban predators are indirectly regulating urban bird population size by restricting habitat availability. Blackbirds did not vary their clutch size in response to predator distributions. These findings generate the potential for an ecological trap in which prey species fail to avoid areas with the highest concentrations of nest predators, or to exhibit behavioural adjustments to reduce the risk of nest predation at such sites. We find some evidence for such ecological traps as, while fine-scale variation in grey squirrel occurrence and activity were not associated with nest predation rates, nests located in closer proximity to corvids and in areas with higher indices of corvid activity experienced slightly higher nest predation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Avian reoviruses (ARVs) cause a range of disease presentations in domestic, captive and free-living bird species. ARVs have been reported as a cause of significant disease and mortality in free-living corvid species in North America and continental Europe. Until this report, there have been no confirmed cases of ARV-associated disease in British wild birds. Case presentation: Sporadic individual magpie (Pica pica) mortality was detected at a single site in Buckinghamshire, England, April-September 2013. An adult female magpie was found moribund and subsequently died. Post-mortem examination identified hepatomegaly and splenomegaly as the most severe macroscopic abnormalities. Histopathological examination revealed extensive hepatic and splenic necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identified virions of a size (circa 78 nm diameter) and morphology consistent with ARV in both the liver and the small intestinal (SI) contents. Nucleic acid extracted from pooled liver and spleen was positive on both a pan-reovirus nested PCR targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene and a PCR using primers specific to the ARV sigma C protein gene. Virus isolated from the liver and the SI contents was characterised by a syncytial-type cytopathic effect, a reovirus-like appearance on TEM and sequence identical to that from PCR of tissues. In situ hybridisation confirmed co-localisation of ARV with lesions in the liver and spleen, implicating ARV as the causative agent. Splenic lymphoid atrophy and necrotic stomatitis associated with Aspergillus fumigatus infection were consistent with generalised immunosuppression and resultant opportunistic infection. Conclusions: The pathology and comprehensive virus investigations in this case indicate ARV as the primary pathogen in this magpie, with concurrent secondary infection subsequent to immunosuppression, as has been observed with reoviral infections in other bird species. ARV should be considered as a differential diagnosis for magpie, and potentially other corvid, disease and mortality incidents. This is the first demonstration of ARV-associated mortality in a wild bird in Britain. The prevalence and significance of ARV infection in British wild birds, and its implications for poultry and captive bird health, are currently unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely accepted in European culture that magpies ( Pica pica) are unconditionally attracted to shiny objects and routinely steal small trinkets such as jewellery, almost as a compulsion. Despite the long history of this folklore, published accounts of magpies collecting shiny objects are rare and empirical evidence for the behaviour is lacking. The latter is surprising considering that an attraction to bright objects is well documented in some bird species. The present study aims to clarify whether magpies show greater attraction to shiny objects than non-shiny objects when presented at the same time. We did not find evidence of an unconditional attraction to shiny objects in either captive or free-living birds. Instead, all objects elicited responses indicating neophobia in free-living birds. We suggest that humans notice when magpies occasionally pick up shiny objects because they believe the birds find them attractive, while it goes unnoticed when magpies interact with less eye-catching items. The folklore may therefore result from observation bias and cultural inflation of orally transmitted episodic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to successfully colonise the urban environment, birds must be able tolerate pedestrian and vehicle proximity, because exhibiting a strong fleeing response each time that a harmless traffic stimulus is encountered would be maladaptive. We examined whether a native 'urban adapter', the Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen), varied in its tolerance of human approach and a simulated vehicular traffic sound in urban Melbourne, Australia as a function of pedestrian or vehicular traffic volume in the local area. The flight initiation distance (FID) paradigm and presentation of a potentially startling sound stimulus (SSS) were used to measure the magpies' boldness in areas with differing traffic volumes. Magpies in areas with relatively high pedestrian traffic volumes exhibited a shorter FID to, and retreated a shorter distance from, an approaching human than conspecifics experiencing relatively low volumes of pedestrian traffic. Magpies in areas with a relatively high vehicular traffic volume were less likely to flee from a SSS than conspecifics in areas with little or no vehicular traffic. Habituation to human disturbance and/or adjustment of anti-predator effort seem the most likely explanations for these disparities and suggest that magpies have considerable behavioural flexibility. The ability to tolerate high volumes of traffic and the associated noise allows magpies to use: (a) ecologically suitable habitat adjoining city roads with heavy vehicular traffic and (b) urban areas with many pedestrians and consequently much human food waste, which the birds exploit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size and structure of birds’ nests can arise from evolutionary trade-offs between benefits, such as insulation from unfavourable conditions, maintenance of eggs or chicks, security against predation, and costs, such as energy spent in construction of the nest and the risk of predation in more visible nests. The relationships between nest characteristics and breeding success and survival probabilities of Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) eggs and nestlings were studied in Baghbadaran, central Iran during the 2008 and 2010 breeding seasons. Nesting success was modelled to assess the relationships between nest parameters and the probability of daily nest survival. Mean clutch and brood size, hatching, fledging and breeding success did not vary significantly between the two years. Mean internal diameter, external diameter, distance to feeding location and distance to open areas varied significantly between the two study years. Daily nest survival rate for both years (2008 and 2010) was 0.98 ± 0.002. Nest size and status of nests, defined as old or newly established nests, were the best factors predicting probabilities of nest survival. Nests with small internal diameters had higher overall nest productivity. Nest height was positively correlated with both fledging success and breeding success. Our results agree with previous findings that have shown that magpie pairs with large nests provided their nestlings with higher quality food compared with pairs with smaller nests and so nest size was an indicator of parental ability. Nest height is also recognized as an important determinant of nest predation, mostly because it may affect nest detectability and accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of oscine birds including crows, rooks, mag­pies, jays, chough, and ravens. These birds are migratory species, especially in the shortage of foods, so they can act like vectors for a wide range of microorganisms. They live generally in temper­ate climates and in a very close contact with human residential areas as well as poultry farms. There is no available information in the literature concerning the parasitic infections of these three species of corvidae in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, so this study was con­ducted to clarify this. Methods: As there are three species of corvid birds in Mazandaran Province, 106 birds including 79 magpies, 11 rooks, and 16 carrion crows were examined between winter 2007 and spring 2008 at post mortem for gastrointestinal helminths. The helminths were drawn and identified morphologi­cally in the Laboratory of Parasitology, Islamic Azad University, Science and Re­search Branch, Tehran and also partly in the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, based on the reference books and identification keys like Soulsby, Khalil et al. and Anderson et al. Results: Four species of nematodes, 2 species of cestodes, 1 species of trematodes and 1 species of acanthocephalans were identified in these three corvid species. Conclusion: Five species of the helminths are identified for the first time in Iran, and the acantho­cephalan species is new host record for rooks. It is clear that these corvid birds have di­verse range of helminths and can act as carriers for infecting the domestic fowls.

A total of 26 Gram-negative, motile, gently curved, and rod-shaped isolates were recovered, during a study to determine the faeco-prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in urban wild birds. Pairwise comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus Helicobacter and phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were separated into two divergent groups. The first group consisted of 20 urease-positive isolates sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity levels of 98.5–98.6% to H. mustelae ATCC 43772T, while the second group contained six urease-negative isolates with the sequence identity level of 98.5% to the type strain of H. pametensis ATCC 51478T. Five isolates were chosen and subjected to comparative whole-genome analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, gyr A and atp A gene sequences showed that Helicobacter isolates formed two separate phylogenetic clades, differentiating the isolates from the other Helicobacter species. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses between strains faydin-H8T, faydin-H23T and their close neighbors H. anseris MIT 04-9362T and H. pametensis ATCC 51478T, respectively, confirmed that both strains represent novel species in the genus Helicobacter. The DNA G+C contents of the strains faydin-H8T and faydin-H23T are 32.0% and 37.6%, respectively. The results obtained for the characterization of the wild bird isolates indicate that they represent two novel species, for which the names Helicobacter anatolicus sp. nov., and Helicobacter kayseriensis sp. nov., are proposed, with faydin-H8T(=LMG 32237T = DSM 112312T) and faydin-H23T(=LMG 32236T = CECT 30508T) as respective type strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]