Search

This paper provides data on cases of atypical nesting by the Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis in niches of abandoned stone and brick buildings in Primorsky Krai. This phenomenon was only recorded first in 2019, and during a survey of abandoned military bases in the southwestern part of Primorye, it was found out that nesting in the niches of the walls of abandoned barracks is not an isolated case but is quite widespread here. We found nine similar nests, including incubation of eggs and fledging of nestlings. Apparently, the Oriental Turtle Dove is currently at the next stage of synanthropization. The paper also discusses the modes of synanthropization of other representatives of the Columbidae family.

Introduction: Wild birds are considered reservoirs of poultry pathogens although transmission routes have not been conclusively established. Here we use camera trapping to study wild bird communities on commercial layer and red-legged partridge farms over a one-year timeframe. We also analyze direct and indirect interactions of other bird species with the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), a potential bridge host. Methods: We conducted camera trapping events between January 2018 and October 2019, in two caged layer farms, one free-range layer farm, and two red-legged partridge farms in South-Central Spain. Results and Discussion: We observed wild bird visits on all types of farms, with the significantly highest occurrence on red-legged partridge farms where food and water are more easily accessible, followed by commercial caged layer farms, and free-range chicken farms. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) followed by spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor) was the most encountered species on all farms, with the highest frequency in caged layer farms. On partridge farms, the house sparrow accounted for 58% of the wild bird detections, while on the free-range chicken farm, it made up 11% of the detections. Notably, the breeding season, when food and water are scarce in Mediterranean climates, saw the highest number of wild bird visits to the farms. Our findings confirm that the house sparrow, is in direct and indirect contact with layers and red-legged partridges and other wild birds independent of the type of farm. Contacts between house sparrows and other bird species were most frequent during the breeding season followed by the spring migration period. The species most frequently involved in interactions with the house sparrow belonged to the order Passeriformes. The study provides a comparative description of the composition and seasonal variations of bird communities in different types of layer/ poultry farms in Southern Spain i.e. a Mediterranean climate. It confirms the effectiveness of biosecurity measures that restrict access to feed and water. Additionally, it underscores the importance of synanthropic species, particularly the house sparrow, as potential bridge vector of avian pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionWild birds are considered reservoirs of poultry pathogens although transmission routes have not been conclusively established. Here we use camera trapping to study wild bird communities on commercial layer and red-legged partridge farms over a one-year timeframe. We also analyze direct and indirect interactions of other bird species with the house sparrow (Passer domesticus), a potential bridge host.MethodsWe conducted camera trapping events between January 2018 and October 2019, in two caged layer farms, one free-range layer farm, and two red-legged partridge farms in South-Central Spain.Results and DiscussionWe observed wild bird visits on all types of farms, with the significantly highest occurrence on red-legged partridge farms where food and water are more easily accessible, followed by commercial caged layer farms, and free-range chicken farms. The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) followed by spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor) was the most encountered species on all farms, with the highest frequency in caged layer farms. On partridge farms, the house sparrow accounted for 58% of the wild bird detections, while on the free-range chicken farm, it made up 11% of the detections. Notably, the breeding season, when food and water are scarce in Mediterranean climates, saw the highest number of wild bird visits to the farms. Our findings confirm that the house sparrow, is in direct and indirect contact with layers and red-legged partridges and other wild birds independent of the type of farm. Contacts between house sparrows and other bird species were most frequent during the breeding season followed by the spring migration period. The species most frequently involved in interactions with the house sparrow belonged to the order Passeriformes. The study provides a comparative description of the composition and seasonal variations of bird communities in different types of layer/ poultry farms in Southern Spain i.e. a Mediterranean climate. It confirms the effectiveness of biosecurity measures that restrict access to feed and water. Additionally, it underscores the importance of synanthropic species, particularly the house sparrow, as potential bridge vector of avian pathogens.

Simple Summary: Monk Parakeets are invasive birds globally. Through the construction of communal nests, they shape urban bird life. Monk Parakeets were introduced in Chile in 1972 and are now widely distributed in urban environments. Through the description of ecological parameters, we aim to assess the state of the Monk Parakeet in Santiago of Chile after 50 years of invasion. We characterized 1458 Monk Parakeets' nests on 546 trees, 91% of which were introduced species. Tasmanian blue gum and black locust were the trees preferred by parakeets for nesting. The average nest height was at 14.2 m with an occupancy rate of 89.7% and associated to nest height. During two reproductive seasons, chambers had an average of 4.5 eggs and 4.2 nestlings. Results and conclusions obtained will help in understanding the ecology of this avian invasion. Other urban metropolises such as Washington DC, Mexico City, Rome, Berlin, Paris, London, Tokyo, Nairobi, Casablanca and City of Singapore also suffer Monk Parakeet invasion. To aid in the understanding of Monk Parakeet invasive biology, we aim to contribute to better informed decisions in invasive synanthropic species management. Monk Parakeets are considered one of the most invasive bird species given its unique capacity among psittacines to build their own communal nests. Originally introduced as pets in houses from where they escaped or were released, they are currently considered invasive in more than 20 countries worldwide. This is the case in Chile, where Monk Parakeets were introduced during the 1970s. Between 2016 and 2019 we searched Monk Parakeets' nests structures in the Santiago metropolis region. We identified 1458 Monk Parakeets' communal nests on 546 trees belonging to 34 tree species. Ninety-one percent of the occupied trees were also introduced. Paraná pine and cedar of Lebanon were the tree species with highest abundance of nests, averaging more than four nests/tree/species, with 23 and 18 maximum number of nests, respectively. Tasmanian blue gum and black locust were selected by parakeets more often than expected, based on availability. From all trees, 24.6% denoted health problems and 47.3% were pruned. The average nest height was 14.2 m and nests were observed mainly in secondary branches (59.3%). The occupancy rate was 89.7% and was associated to nest height and type of branch. During two reproductive seasons we quantified eggs and nestlings in chambers averaging 4.5 and 4.2, respectively. We provide a rough population size estimate and the characteristics of Monk Parakeets nest and tree selectivity, aiming to characterize several decades of a neglected urban invasion to warrant strategies for improved management measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to antibiotics is well-known global phenomenon. There are places contributing to the development of antibiotic resis)tance such as waste landfills, especially ones that accept medical waste which did not undergo disinfection and livestock waste with bacteria not sensitive to antibiotics. An extensive system of transfer of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is formed on these territories (zoochory, groundwater, transport etc.). The aim of the research was to determine the species composition of bacteria isolated from birds of Derhachi municipal solid waste landfills in Kharkiv city, Ukraine. Also, we determine the sensitivity of bacterial isolates to a number of standard antibiotic drugs. We collected droppings of feral pigeons (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789; Columbidae) and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758; Sturnidae) during the winter period in 2020/2021; both species are dominants of waste landfills. We isolated 15 bacteria species of 4 families by bacteriological methods (growing on simple and selective media and identification by biochemical properties): Enterobacteriaceae (Enterobacter asburiae, E. dissolvens, E. cancerogenus, E. cloacae, E. sakazakii, Escheri)chia coli, Klebsiella terrigena, K. ornithinolytica, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis), Yersiniaceae (Serratia ficaria, S.rubidaea, S. entomophila), Morganellaceae (Providencia stuartii) and Pseudomonadaceaе (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Sensitivity was deter)mined by the disk-diffusion method to 18 antibiotics. Ten isolates turned out to be multiresistant-resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial drugs. A promising direction for future research is the determination of the pathogenicity of the isolates and checking the roles of birds of Derhachi solid waste landfills as reservoirs of pathogens. Currently, it can be assumed that large concentrations of synanthropic birds (especially those that forage on solid waste landfills) with a high probability are reservoirs of many bacteria, in par)ticular those that have developed resistance to drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The European Commission requested that EFSA provide study designs for the investigation of four research domains according to major gaps in knowledge identified by EFSA in a report published in 2019: (i) the patterns of seasonality of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boar and domestic pigs in the EU; (ii) the epidemiology of ASF in wild boar; (iii) survival of ASF virus (ASFV) in the environment and (iv) transmission of ASFV by vectors. In this Scientific Opinion, the fourth research domain on ASFV transmission by vectors is addressed. Eleven research objectives were proposed by the EFSA working group and broader ASF expert networks, such as ASF stop, ENETWILD, VectorNet, AHAW network and the AHAW Panel Experts. Of the 11 research objectives, six were prioritised based on the following set of criteria: (1) the impact on ASF management; (2) the feasibility or practicality to carry out the study; (3) the potential implementation of study results in practice; (4) a possible short time‐frame study (< 1 year); (5) the novelty of the study and (6) if it was a priority for risk managers. The prioritised research objectives were: (I) Studies on the potential vector fauna at the pig–wild boar interface and the feeding preference of blood‐feeding potential vectors in ASF‐affected areas; (II) Assessment of the efficacy of insect screens on indoor/outdoor pig holdings to prevent the entry of blood‐sucking vectors (i.e. Stomoxys) in ASF endemic areas; (III) Assess the role of mechanical vectors in the virus transmission in ASF‐affected areas; (IV) Distribution of the potential mechanical transmission vectors in ASF‐affected areas of the EU; (V) ASFV transmission by synanthropic birds; and (VI) Assessment on the presence/absence of the soft tick Ornithodoros erraticus in ASF‐affected areas in Europe. For each of the selected research objectives, a research protocol has been proposed considering the potential impact on ASF management and the period of 1 year for the research activities.

The European Commission requested that EFSA provide study designs for the investigation of four research domains according to major gaps in knowledge identified by EFSA in a report published in 2019: (i) the patterns of seasonality of African Swine Fever (ASF) in wild boar and domestic pigs in the EU; (ii) the epidemiology of ASF in wild boar; (iii) survival of ASF virus (ASFV) in the environment and (iv) transmission of ASFV by vectors. In this Scientific Opinion, the fourth research domain on ASFV transmission by vectors is addressed. Eleven research objectives were proposed by the EFSA working group and broader ASF expert networks, such as ASF stop, ENETWILD, VectorNet, AHAW network and the AHAW Panel Experts. Of the 11 research objectives, six were prioritised based on the following set of criteria: (1) the impact on ASF management; (2) the feasibility or practicality to carry out the study; (3) the potential implementation of study results in practice; (4) a possible short time‐frame study (< 1 year); (5) the novelty of the study and (6) if it was a priority for risk managers. The prioritised research objectives were: (I) Studies on the potential vector fauna at the pig–wild boar interface and the feeding preference of blood‐feeding potential vectors in ASF‐affected areas; (II) Assessment of the efficacy of insect screens on indoor/outdoor pig holdings to prevent the entry of blood‐sucking vectors (i.e. Stomoxys) in ASF endemic areas; (III) Assess the role of mechanical vectors in the virus transmission in ASF‐affected areas; (IV) Distribution of the potential mechanical transmission vectors in ASF‐affected areas of the EU; (V) ASFV transmission by synanthropic birds; and (VI) Assessment on the presence/absence of the soft tick Ornithodoros erraticus in ASF‐affected areas in Europe. For each of the selected research objectives, a research protocol has been proposed considering the potential impact on ASF management and the period of 1 year for the research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild rock doves still breed in suitable habitats along southern and insular Italy, even if their colonies are threatened by the genetic intrusion of feral pigeons. One of their prominent behaviours is the daily foraging flights from colonial to feeding grounds which involves coming into contact with man-made buildings. These are exploited firstly as roosting places near crop resources and later for nesting. This incipient synanthropy is not extended to direct food dependence on humans, by which they tend to remain independent. In the same way that ferals genetically intruded the wild colonies, in urban habitats, rock doves mix with ferals because of the large interbreeding possibilities. In the natural range of the wild species, this has occurred since the appearance of the feral form of pigeons and still continues with the residual populations of rock doves, representing their endless contribution to the feral populations, at least until the dissolution of the gene pool of the primordial form of wild rock dove.

Introduction: Worldwide urban pigeons (Columba livia domestica) are an important reservoir of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR). Plasmids are key genetic elements in the dissemination of antimicrobial drug resistance in bacteria, including beta-lactams and quinolones, which are the most important classes of drugs for treatment of Enterobacteriaceae infections in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) harboring plasmids containing extend-spectrum (ESBL) and pAmpC beta-lactamases, also plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in urban pigeons from São Paulo State, Brazil. Methodology: A collection of 107 isolates of E. coli from urban pigeons from four cities was screened by antimicrobial resistance phenotypic and PCR for genes encoding ESBL, pAmpC and PMQR genes. Clonality was evaluated by ERIC-PCR. Results: We found three strains positive for blaCTX-M genes. In two clonally related CTX-M-8-producing strains, the gene was associated with IncI1 plasmids. An MDR strain harboring blaCTX-M-2, the plasmid could not be transferred. No strain was positive for PMQR genes. Conclusion: These results indicate that CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-8-producing E. coli are present in urban pigeons, which could serve as a reservoir for ESBL-producing E. coli in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sparrows (Passer spp.) have long been presumed to rely on railway traffic during their long-distance terrestrial dispersion. The currently ongoing range expansions of the Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) and the Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica) in Central Europe provide an opportunity to develop this idea into a testable hypothesis. Both species are small, synanthropic passerines but the latter one is highly aerial and mobile. Therefore, Red-rumped Swallows are not supposed to rely on railways for spatial dispersion so that their distance from railway lines is supposed to reflect observers' distribution, but not otherwise influenced by railway proximity. I have analyzed published data from Hungary and North Serbia (Vojvodina, except for its South Banat District) from 2000 onward. During this period, both species exhibited a slow northward range expansion on the Southern edge of the study area but have not yet established self-sustaining populations. Vagrant individuals of the Spanish Sparrow and its hybrid Italian Sparrow (Passer italiae) occurred significantly closer (N = 8, range = 0.01-3.36 km) to railway lines than vagrant Red-rumped Swallows (N = 23, range = 0.45-13.76 km). This constitutes an empirical evidence supporting the idea that sparrows tend to rely on railway traffic for long-distance dispersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of free-ranging urban birds is a risk factor for transmitting pathogens to captive animals and humans alike, including Salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. Cloacal swabs from 156 synanthropic Great egrets ( Ardea alba) and feral pigeons ( Columba livia domestica) that inhabit the surroundings of an urban zoo were processed for the identification of Salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes. Bacterial species identification and genotypic characterization employed the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and PCR techniques, respectively, comparing their phylogenetic profiles through amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. A total of 11 birds were positive for Salmonella Typhimurium (7%) and 9 individuals (5.8%) for diarrheagenic E. coli (enteropathogenic E. coli/Shiga-toxin producing E. coli [EPEC/STEC]) strains. S. Typhimurium strains presented highly similar AFLP profiles (85-100%), whereas EPEC/STEC strains showed more polymorphism. The results show free-ranging birds as carriers for both microorganisms in a zoo environment in Brazil for the first time and suggest these species as possible sources of infection to other animals as well as exposing personnel and visitors to potential zoonotic microorganisms. The presence of carriers highlights the importance of a surveillance system and the need for preventive measures to avoid attracting growing number of synanthropic avian species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to evaluate the consequence of a hospitalisation period on antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from wild bird species admitted in the wildlife rescue centre of the Department of Veterinary Sciences (Turin University, Italy). Samples were collected from 121 raptors and 51 synanthropic animals, at the time of arrival as well as 5 and 10 days afterwards for a total of 372 faecal samples, and the susceptibility of E. coli strains was tested to a panel of seven antibacterials. Of the total, 109 animals (63.37 %) presented at least one sample positive for E. coli, 36 strains (39.6 %) were multi-drug resistant (MDR) and 12 (13.2 %) were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli. During the first 10 days of hospitalisation E. coli strains increased the number of resistances towards each antimicrobial principle, the number of ESBL E. coli and the therapy with fluoroquinolones developed resistance towards ceftriaxone, marbofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and tetracycline. Our results suggest that wild birds act as reservoirs of MDR bacteria, being potential sources for their spreading in the environment and to other species • Wildlife rescue centres play a fundamental role in AMR surveillance. • Diurnal birds of prey harbour more MDR bacteria than other categories of birds. • Wild birds developed one new resistance every 6 days of hospitalisation. • Cephalexin is the tested antibacterial with the highest resistance levels. • Prolonged recovery time and antibacterial therapy increases AMR in wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present report investigated the potential of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay of the flagellin gene (fla-DGGE) for direct detection, identification and typing of Campylobacter spp., and pathogenic Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in samples without cultivation. Faecal samples obtained from synanthropic bird species inhabiting areas around broiler chickens fattening farms, and wild-type C. jejuni strains isolated from a poultry slaughterhouse were assayed. The PCR assay for Campylobacter spp. and the specific PCR assays for C. jejuni and C. coli generated fragments sized 816, 735 and 500 bp, respectively. Out of the 34 faecal samples studied, 13 were positive for Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni was detected in 10 (76.9%) and C. coli -- only in one (7.69%) out of Campylobacter positive samples. The employed fla-DGGE was applicable in faecal DNA concentrations over 150 ng/mL. Common genotypes with similar fla- DGGE profiles were found out in both faecal samples from synanthropic birds and broiler chicken isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research study which described the parasitologic findings for 60 synanthropic bird carcasses recovered in the Campania region of southern Italy and examined the presence of ectoparasites and helminth species. Findings revealed the prevalence of chewing lice and Pseudolynchia canariensis in pigeons. A number of helminth species that included nematodes, cestoda, trematoda and acanthocephalans were identified.