Australian Field Ornithology 2016, 33, 187–197 http://dx.doi.org/10.20938/afo33187197 Field techniques in the study of Australian pigeons and doves Andrew Peters1, 2*, Shane R. Raidal2 and David A. Roshier3 1Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia 2School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia 3Australian Wildlife Conservancy, P.O. Box 8070, Subiaco East WA 6008, Australia *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] Abstract. Pigeons and doves (Family Columbidae) represent a significant component of Australia’s avifauna, possessing unusually diverse phenotypic and behavioural characteristics. The importance of many of them as ecosystem service providers and the emergence of new threats to them in Australia and the region warrant the development of standardised research methods such as effective and humane capture and collection of biological samples. We present here techniques, including novel mist-net set-ups that we trialled for the capture of Australian pigeons and doves. These were successful in 12 out of 14 species in which attempts were made, including the arboreal Brown Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia amboinensis, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus regina and Torresian Imperial-Pigeon Ducula spilorrhoa, as well as both escarpment-dwelling rock-pigeons Petrophassa spp. Methods for the collection of biological samples are also presented. Introduction 100% mortality in infected flocks of Rock Doves C. livia), emerged in Victoria (Department of Primary Industries Australo-Papua has a rich diversity of pigeons and doves Victoria 2011; Walker & Phalen 2011). For conservation, (Family Columbidae) with 59 of the 301 extant species animal production and human health reasons, there is a globally, of which 22 breed in mainland Australia (Frith need for a better understanding of the factors that facilitate 1982; Higgins & Davies 1996; Coates & Peckover 2001; the movement and transmission of disease by wildlife, both BirdLife International 2008). Phylogenetic studies over within and between wildlife populations, and to humans the last decade strongly support the Australasian region (Garamszegi & Moller 2007; Altizer et al. 2011). (Australo-Papua, Wallacea and the South Pacific) as a Pigeons and doves are of great international significance, shared biogeographic centre, along with South America, considering both the ecosystem services that various for the world’s pigeons and doves (Pereira et al. 2007; species provide and the alarming fact that almost a third of Gibb & Penny 2010; Jønsson et al. 2011). This evidence them (100 species) are threatened (BirdLife International supports a Late Cretaceous and Gondwanan origin for 2008). Although all but one Australian species are them, suggesting a deep biogeographic association considered by the IUCN as of Least Concern (the Partridge between Australasia and this avian lineage that may have Pigeon Geophaps smithii is listed as Near Threatened), contributed to the current phenotypic and behavioural changes in distribution and abundance (often presumed to diversity of these birds in continental Australia. be caused by anthropogenic factors) have been recorded in Of the 22 species of pigeons and doves that breed in 15 other Australian species (Higgins & Davies 1996). This mainland Australia, most are confined to or have ranges is of concern as six Australian columbids are considered that extend into the tropics, and at least two move between excellent seed-dispersers for Australian rainforest plants Australia and New Guinea (Higgins & Davies 1996; Coates (Cadow 1933; Crome 1975a; Healey 1992; Bhattacharyya & Peckover 2001). From a conservation and infectious 1994; Whittaker & Turner 1994; McConkey & Drake 2002; disease perspective, this is significant because future McConkey et al. 2004; Price 2004, 2006; Meehan et al. emerging disease hotspots due to zoonotic pathogens from 2005; Westcott et al. 2009) and many of the remainder both vector-borne and wildlife pathogens are expected to may perform previously unrecognised ecosystem functions be more concentrated in low-latitude countries (Jones et such as seed predation and nutrient linkage, especially al. 2008). Pigeons and humans have long been in contact where oligotrophic soils are found (Heine & Speir 1989; through domestication, and emerging infectious diseases Maron & Vila 2001; Croll et al. 2005; Sekercioglu 2006). in humans and wildlife are increasing worldwide alongside Investigation into the ecology of Australian columbids is an other forms of global change (Morens et al. 2004; Daszak important step toward their effective conservation. et al. 2007a,b; Jones et al. 2008). There is increasing evidence of the introduction of exotic pathogens into Live capture is important in the study of birds, especially Australia with the potential to impact on wild populations where mark–recapture, telemetry or haematological of columbids (Walker 2011). These include the protozoan investigation is required, and methods for live capture must Trichomonas gallinae, which has been responsible for comply with the high standards of animal welfare expected mass mortalities in several pigeon species in the Northern by Australian permitting authorities and the community Hemisphere and which is a significant obstacle to recovery (Farnsworth & Rosovsky 1993; Gaunt et al. 1999; of the endangered Mauritian Pink Pigeon Nesoenas Monamy & Gott 2001; Bangert 2005; Animal Research mayeri (Ostrand et al. 1995; Höfle et al. 2004; Bunbury et Review Panel & Department of Primary Industries NSW al. 2007; Gaspar da Silva et al. 2007). Recently a strain 2011). Few studies describe methods for the capture of of Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV-1, which is causing up to Australia’s endemic columbids (Crome 1975b; Price 188 Australian Field Ornithology A. Peters et al. requires an innovative approach in field techniques. Here we describe a suite of techniques designed and trialled for the live capture and collection of biological samples from many of Australia’s unique pigeons and doves. Methods Species and sites Attempts to capture and sample individuals from 14 species of native pigeons and doves were made between August 2009 and October 2011 at 14 sites across northern and eastern Australia (Figure 1, Table 1). The habitats ranged from open savannah dominated by Eucalyptus spp. to dense, tall, late-succession rainforest and mangrove forest. Taxonomy follows the BirdLife Australia Working List v. 1.2. Call-playback Figure 1. Distribution of attempted capture sites in Responsiveness to call-playback was assessed for targeted Australia (see Table 1). species in an attempt to lure birds into a net or trap. Call recordings (Plowright et al. 2007) were played on constant repeat at maximum volume using a portable mp3 player 2006), in contrast with the capture of feral Domestic (iPod Nano, Apple Inc.) connected to a portable speaker Pigeons (DeMent et al. 1987; Clayton et al. 1999) or native (1.8 W, Moshi Bassburger, Lomis International). For each columbids in other regions (Curtis et al. 1983; Clout et al. species, the recorded call was played for 5 minutes when 1995), which differ markedly in their ecology from those birds were observed, with observers standing at least species of columbids in Australia. The unique phenotypic 20 m away from the speaker. Response was categorised and behavioural diversity of Australian pigeons and doves as either no obvious response (0), response without Table 1. Capture sites of pigeons and doves in this study. AWC = Australian Wildlife Conservancy, NP = National Park. Code Site Location Relevant habitats AT Private rural/bush property Millaa Millaa, Queensland Tropical rainforest Introduced pasture CH Private rural/bush property The Channon, New South Wales Subtropical rainforest Introduced pasture Garden CW Private bush property Cape Weymouth, Iron Range, Queensland Tropical sclerophyll woodland Mangrove DW Private urban property Lee Point, Darwin, Northern Territory Introduced pasture Garden FH Public nature reserve Fingal Head, New South Wales Littoral subtropical rainforest GG Public nature reserve Smith & Black Points, Garig Gunak Barlu NP, Tropical sclerophyll woodland Northern Territory Monsoon rainforest IR Island nature reserves Restoration Rock & Rocky Island, Iron Range NP, Littoral tropical rainforest Queensland Grassland KD Public nature reserve Western Arnhem escarpment, Kakadu NP, Sandstone outcrops Northern Territory Tropical woodlands LI Public nature reserve Low & Low Wooded Isles, Queensland Littoral tropical rainforest Mangrove MZ Private nature reserve AWC property, Paluma Range, Queensland Tropical sclerophyll woodland PG Private nature reserve AWC property, Calvert River, Northern Territory Tropical sclerophyll woodland Open woodland with Triodia ST Public nature reserve Sturt NP, New South Wales Xeric scrubland Riparian woodland VR Public nature reserve Victoria River escarpment, Gregory NP, Northern Sandstone escarpment Territory WW Private urban property Wagga Wagga, New South Wales Introduced pasture Garden Field techniques for studying Australian pigeons and doves 189 Figure 2. A. Parallel nets set on two 12-m-high carbon-fibre poles next to a fruiting Carpentaria Palm. B. 8-m-high carbon-fibre pole showing serial nets running in both directions. C. 8-m-high serial nets set beside a lake for the capture of Common Bronzewings. Photos: Andrew Peters approaching within 5 m of the playback device (e.g. head-