DOCSLIB.ORG

Рецензия На Книгу Е.Н. Панова Опубликована В Журнале British Birds

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Рецензия На Книгу Е.Н. Панова Опубликована В Журнале British Birds Reviews The True Shrikes (Laniidae) of the World: ecology, behavior and evolution By E. N. Panov Pensoft, 2011 Hbk, 910pp; many colour photographs and line-drawings ISBN 978-954-642-576-8 Subbuteo code M21133 £125.00 BB Bookshop price £112.50 Evigeniy Panov is one any other biological notes that the author con - of the great field siders interesting, depending on the taxa involved. ornithologists, and For example, there is a chapter dedicated to one of relatively few to have had a lifetime of hybridisation within the Red-backed/Isabelline access to the birds of Siberia and the republics of complex, illustrated with photographs of hybrid the former Soviet central Asia. A previous book of phenotypes, which contains much information his, The Wheatears of the Palearctic (Pensoft, 2005), not easily accessible to western ornithologists. In drew on first-hand study of plumage, vocalisa - general, the amount of information is exhaustive, tions, behaviour and hybridisation, combined with bordering on overwhelming. The descriptions of an extensive literature review, to make conclusions breeding behaviour are alive with first-hand infor - about the relationships of the wheatears Oenanthe mation. In contrast, the newly split Giant Shrike and to synthesise our knowledge of their ecology. (or Tibetan Grey Shrike) L. giganteus , formerly This current book, his long-awaited and massive treated as a race of Chinese Grey Shrike L. spheno - work on the shrikes of the world, follows a similar cercus , gets a chapter less than two and a half pages plan. Systematics and nomenclature figure heavily long, such is the paucity of literature, and much of throughout the book. Although this is not primar - that is a range map. ily an identification guide, the reviews of plumage Two appendices discuss specific issues relevant patterns, vocalisations and some important bio - to shrike taxonomy. The first, by Tom Cade, dis - metrics will ensure that it becomes an essential ref - cusses the pros and cons of different morpholog - erence work for those who are interested in ical and genetic methods of subspecific delineation identification of these taxa in the hand or in the in the Loggerhead Shrike L. ludovicianus . It con - field. cludes that a more rigorous quantification of The book, with 26 chapters and two appen - plumage colours and patterns is required, and dices, is broadly divided into eight parts, starting much greater genetic sampling of populations with a general view of shrike biology and ending from across the range of the species. The second, with a discussion and proposed phylogeny for the by Anna Bannikova, is a critical review of genetic genus Lanius . In between, the shrikes are organised studies of the phylogeny of shrikes – it warns in species groups correlating with some of their against widespread changes in taxonomy based major radiations. Thus the ‘large’ grey shrikes are only on mitochondrial DNA and argues against treated together, as are the ‘Mediterranean’ shrikes changes to prevailing taxonomy without a firm (Masked L. nubicus , Woodchat L. senator and basis of evidence. This echoes arguments made by Lesser Grey Shrikes L. minor ), the Red-backed/red- Panov in the main text – where there is a recurrent tailed (Isabelline) Shrikes L. collurio /isabellinus , the theme of potential conflict between genetic- and east Asian species (including Brown Shrike L. morphological-based phylogenies. Panov, for cristatus ) and the central/southeast Asian species. example, prefers to retain the current north/south The convergent African Laniids of the genera split of large grey shrikes (Great Grey L. excubitor Eurocephalus , Corvinella and Urolestes are included and Southern Grey Shrike L. meridionalis ), in con - in a section about African Lanius . For all the trast to the arrangements proposed by recent species, the author’s studies and other literature genetic studies, which recommend this group pos - are summarised to cover nomenclature, range, sibly be split into six or more species (Olsson et al . subspecies, status, migration and phenology, 2010, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 55: breeding and nest-site biology, diet, moult, and 347–357). Also of interest is that the author splits The BB Bookshop, brought to you by Subbuteo Natural History Books www.wildlifebooks.com/bb , and see our list after Recent reports 676 © British Birds 104 • November 2011 • 676 –680 Reviews Turkestan Shrike as L. phoenicuroides (previously backed Shrike, which would suggest that the name included as a subspecies within Isabelline Shrike L. is invalid. The author’s approach, to respond to the isabellinus ), and discusses the greyer-backed form confused taxonomic situation by sitting tight and ‘karelini’ as an entity still in limbo, without any doing nothing to exacerbate the ‘capricious’ (his formal subspecific delineation. His treatment of word) taxonomic history of Isabelline Shrikes, may the remaining ‘Isabelline’ shrikes follows that of strike a chord with many people who maintain Stegmann from 1930, retaining the name L. checklists. isabellinus speculigerus for Daurian Shrike. The Overall, the book represents a phenomenal arrangement proposed in 2000 by Pearson ( Bull. body of work and an essential resource for anyone BOC 120: 22–27), under which Daurian Shrike with an interest in any aspect of shrike biology. It became L. i. isabellinus , is discounted. This is in is not cheap, and it is not an easy read, but it will spite of the fact that Panov has already shown that repay any number of hours of study afforded to it. the type specimen of speculigerus shows some fea - tures indicative of a hybrid origin involving Red- Martin Collinson Winged Sentinels: birds and climate change By Janice Wormworth and Ça ğan Şekercio ğlu Cambridge University Press, 2011 Pbk, 262pp; many colour photographs ISBN 978-0-521-12682-3 Subbuteo code M21131 £24.99 BB Bookshop price £22.49 The subject of climate provided from every continent, and a good cov - change is rarely out of erage of the European literature. One chapter the news and its effects deals specifically with the oceans, the changes in are obvious to anyone sea temperatures, acidification and water-current with an interest in systems that underlie some of the major repro - weather, landscape or natural history. Many biolo - ductive failures and population declines wit - gists believe that, if change continues at its current nessed in recent years among some British rate, it is likely to present the major conservation seabirds. But it is not just ‘our’ seabirds that are problems of the coming decades and that many being affected, as similar events are occurring at plant and animal species will become extinct. Not various localities around the world. Although surprisingly, the scientific literature on the effects many bird species are likely to ‘benefit’ from of climate change on plants and animals has climate changes, developing larger populations mushroomed over the last 20 years or so, but this that extend over wider areas, others are expected book is an attempt to summarise this literature as to decline in numbers and distributions. It is the it relates to birds. The first author is a freelance potential problem-species that the authors con - science writer, while the second is an academic and centrate on throughout. The last chapter conservationist, working as an Assistant Professor describes how conservation thinking and actions in the Department of Biology at the University of are being modified and developed to take account Utah. of the population and range changes that are As expected, the book covers all the major already underway, but are likely to gather pace in known effects of climate change on bird popula - the coming years. According to the literature that tions, from shifts in the timing of seasonal events, the authors quote, extinctions are inevitable. such as migration and breeding, to changes in Some of the research in this field is based on population levels and distribution patterns, dis - what has happened already, and any argument cussing, wherever known, the mechanisms about it is likely to centre on the importance of involved. In the northern hemisphere, the climate as opposed to other human impacts that breeding ranges of many bird species are could have caused the changes observed. But other spreading northwards or upwards, while at the research, just as necessary, is concerned with the same time retracting from the southern and prediction of further changes likely to occur in the lower limits of their recent ranges. The book is coming years. However well founded, this is essen - truly international in its approach, with examples tially speculative. This is not a criticism, but a The BB Bookshop, brought to you by Subbuteo Natural History Books www.wildlifebooks.com/bb , and see our list after Recent reports British Birds 104 • November 2011 • 676 –680 677.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • First Record of Brown Shrike (Lanius Cristatus) in British Columbia. by Rick Toochin, Peter Hamel and Margo Hearne. Submitted: April 15, 2018
    First record of Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) in British Columbia. By Rick Toochin, Peter Hamel and Margo Hearne. Submitted: April 15, 2018. Introduction and Distribution The Brown Shrike (Lanius cristatus) is a small species that is found throughout East Asia breeding south of the northern tundra from Eastern Chukotka Peninsula, Kamchatka Peninsula, Sea of Okhotsk, Japan, Korea, China, from northern Mongolia westward into Central Siberia approximately Yenisei and Anadyr Rivers (Lewington et al. 1992, Brazil 2009, Pyle et al. 2015). This species is highly migratory throughout its vast range. The Brown Shrike winters from India to southern China, Indonesia, and the Philippines (Lewington et al. 1992). There are 4 subspecies of Brown Shrike found throughout this species range. These include the nominate subspecies of Brown Shrike is (Lanius cristatus cristatus) which is found breeding from eastern Siberia to northwestern Mongolia. This subspecies is highly migratory and travels far to the wintering grounds (Pyle et al. 2015). This subspecies winters in India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladeshi, Burma, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, southern Vietnam and the Malayan Peninsula (Pyle et al. 2015, Clements et al. 2016). The first Alaska record was tentatively identified as (L. c. lucionensis) (Gibson 1981), but has subsequently been identified as nominate (L. c. cristatus) (Gibson and Withrow 2015). This is the subspecies that now widely accepted as the subspecies that accounts for most, if not all North American records (Hamilton et al. 2007). The second subspecies of Brown Shrike is (Lanius cristatus confuses) which is found breeding in Manchuria and Amurland (Clements et al. 2016). This subspecies winters in Southeast Asia on the Malayan Peninsula and Sumatra (Clements et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Diversity in Northern Myanmar and Conservation Implications
    ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH Bird diversity in northern Myanmar and conservation implications Ming-Xia Zhang1,2, Myint Kyaw3, Guo-Gang Li1,2, Jiang-Bo Zhao4, Xiang-Le Zeng5, Kyaw Swa3, Rui-Chang Quan1,2,* 1 Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar 2 Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla Yunnan 666303, China 3 Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary Offices, Putao Kachin 01051, Myanmar 4 Science Communication and Training Department, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla Yunnan 666303, China 5 Yingjiang Bird Watching Society, Yingjiang Yunnan 679300, China ABSTRACT Since the 1990s, several bird surveys had been carried out in the Putao area (Rappole et al, 2011). Under the leadership of We conducted four bird biodiversity surveys in the the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division (NWCD) of the Putao area of northern Myanmar from 2015 to 2017. Myanmar Forestry Ministry, two expeditions were launched in Combined with anecdotal information collected 1997–1998 (Aung & Oo, 1999) and 2001–2009 (Rappole et al., between 2012 and 2015, we recorded 319 bird 2011), providing the most detailed inventory of local avian species, including two species (Arborophila mandellii diversity thus far. 1 and Lanius sphenocercus) previously unrecorded in Between December 2015 and May 2017, the Southeast Asia Myanmar. Bulbuls (Pycnonotidae), babblers (Timaliidae), Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences pigeons and doves (Columbidae), and pheasants (CAS-SEABRI), Forest Research Institute (FRI) of Myanmar, and partridges (Phasianidae) were the most Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary (HPWS), and Hkakabo Razi abundant groups of birds recorded.
    [Show full text]
  • True Shrikes), Including 31 Specieswithin Genera Are Coveredin Singlepage Overviews.Line Lanius, Coruinella and Eurocephalus
    Books SHRIKES. Norbert Lefranc. 1997. Yale University Some species have bright rufous or sandy caps Press, New Haven, Connecticut. Hard cover, 192 and backs. A few, such as the Long-tailedShrike, pp. $35.00 U.S. have strikinggeographic plumage variations. Some shrikesare as small as House Sparrows. The recentflood of world-wideidentification guides for specific groups of birds, such as seabirds, In 35 pages of introductorymaterial, the author waterfowl and shorebirds, has now reached presents informationon: taxonomy,overviews of passerine groupings, and the treatment has the genera, and a brief guide to the features of the expanded to include life history information.This species accounts. The overview of the genus is a welcome addition, as many bird enthusiasts Laniuscovers: names; morphology,plumages and have expanded their interests, and wish to learn molts; origins, present distribution,migration 'and more about the birds they see. Many of these wintering areas; habitat; social organization and guides are being written in Europe and cover general behavior;food habits,larders and foraging groupswhich occur primarilyin the Old World. behavior; nests, eggs and breeding behavior; population dynamics; population changes and Shrikes covers the three genera of the family presumedcauses; and conservation.The othertwo Laniidae(true shrikes), including 31 specieswithin genera are coveredin singlepage overviews.Line Lanius, Coruinella and Eurocephalus. Twenty- drawings in the introduction supplerbent the color sevenof thesespecies are in the firstgenus, whose plates. name is the Latin word for butcher, perhaps referringto their habit of hangingprey on spines. Species accounts average three pages (range 1- 9), and include a clear range map (1/4 to 1 page), Scientistsbelieve that the family Laniidae evolved identification details, measurements, distribution in Australia as part of a great radiation that and status, molt, voice, habitat, habits, food, produced the corvids, a number of Australian breeding and references.
    [Show full text]
  • The Birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an Annotated Checklist
    European Journal of Taxonomy 306: 1–69 ISSN 2118-9773 https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.306 www.europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu 2017 · Gedeon K. et al. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Monograph urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A32EAE51-9051-458A-81DD-8EA921901CDC The birds (Aves) of Oromia, Ethiopia – an annotated checklist Kai GEDEON 1,*, Chemere ZEWDIE 2 & Till TÖPFER 3 1 Saxon Ornithologists’ Society, P.O. Box 1129, 09331 Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Germany. 2 Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, P.O. Box 1075, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. 3 Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Centre for Taxonomy and Evolutionary Research, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author: [email protected] 2 Email: [email protected] 3 Email: [email protected] 1 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F46B3F50-41E2-4629-9951-778F69A5BBA2 2 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F59FEDB3-627A-4D52-A6CB-4F26846C0FC5 3 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:A87BE9B4-8FC6-4E11-8DB4-BDBB3CFBBEAA Abstract. Oromia is the largest National Regional State of Ethiopia. Here we present the first comprehensive checklist of its birds. A total of 804 bird species has been recorded, 601 of them confirmed (443) or assumed (158) to be breeding birds. At least 561 are all-year residents (and 31 more potentially so), at least 73 are Afrotropical migrants and visitors (and 44 more potentially so), and 184 are Palaearctic migrants and visitors (and eight more potentially so). Three species are endemic to Oromia, 18 to Ethiopia and 43 to the Horn of Africa. 170 Oromia bird species are biome restricted: 57 to the Afrotropical Highlands biome, 95 to the Somali-Masai biome, and 18 to the Sudan-Guinea Savanna biome.
    [Show full text]
  • SOUTH KOREA, in DECEMBER 2014 Petri Hottola ([email protected])
    BIRD TOURISM REPORTS 1/2015 SOUTH KOREA, IN DECEMBER 2014 Petri Hottola ([email protected]) Fig. 1. White-naped Cranes at Joonam Reservoir, SE South Korea. In December 2014, 16th to 25th, an eight-day solo visit to South Korea was completed, in an attempt to see 18 target species not yet on my world list. All of them, except Oriental Stork, could be located, with a Grey-backed Thrush as an unexpected bonus. From a viewpoint of a world lister, it may make sense to visit South Korea in winter, because of a locally concentrated assortment of rare wintering species, which are otherwise scattered around a vast region across China and Eastern Siberia. Also, the Korean winter is a mild one if compared to the conditions in Northern Europe, for example. Yes, the day temperature may be -17 C on the northern mountains, as it was on the 22nd, but it is not going to be -30 C, or lower! In the south of the peninsula, milder conditions prevail, also in winter. There may be up to 15 cm of snow on ground in parts of the region, but other areas of the Korean peninsula have no or only a smattering of snow. South Korea is, however, also a particularly difficult destination to visit, in terms of detailed birdwatching information. Part of the material is only available in Korean and difficult to search because of the unique lettering. The English language information, on the other hand, is not always collectively shared, but kept secret by gatekeepers who prefer to guide people to the birds, for a fee, and also expect secrecy from their customers.
    [Show full text]
  • First North American Sighting of Brown Shrike, (Lanius Cristatus) and Dusky Warbler (Phylloscopus Fuscatus), and Second Record O
    F/rst North American Sighting of Brown Shrike, (Lanius cristatus) and Dusky Warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus), and second record of Red-throad Flyca. her (Ficedula pavva) Ben King, Davis Finch, Richard Stallcupand Will Russell HtEFOLLOWING SIGHTINGS weremade by not reaching the coast), to the mouth of the he authorswhile leading birding tours White River in Anadyr' Valley and upper near Gambell, St. Lawrence Island in the reaches of the River Achay-Vayam in northern Bering Sea in June 1977. Scientific Koratskaya Zemlya, and occurs sporadically nomenclature follows Vaurie (1959) and in Kamchatka (Dement'ev et al., 1968 and English names are those of King and Ivanov, 1976). We could not see any white Dickinson (1975). frontal band in the field. L. c. cristatus has a narrow inconspicuousfrontal band whereas Brown Shrike, Lanius cristatus. A single all three of the other races listed by Vaurie bird was observed on June 4, 5 and 6, 1977 (1959) have broad, more conspicuousones about 0.7 km east of Gambell. All observa- tions were within a radius of 300 m on level Dusky Warbler, Phylloscopusfuscatus gravel containing some grass up to 25 cm One was seen about 4 km south-southeastof high, and adjacent to a boulder-strewntun- Gambell on June 6, 1977by about 15 observ- dra-covered hillside. The bird choseexposed ers. We watched it for about 1« hours percheson knolls and boulders.It was quite through scopesand binocularsgenerally shy but well observed through several at a distance of 30 - 40 m, but several times 20x-40x spotting scopes at distances of as close as approximately7 - 8 m.
    [Show full text]
  • ETHIOPIA: Birding the Roof of Africa; with Southern Extension a Tropical Birding Set Departure
    ETHIOPIA: Birding the Roof of Africa; with Southern Extension A Tropical Birding Set Departure February 7 – March 1, 2010 Guide: Ken Behrens All photos taken by Ken Behrens during this trip ORIENTATION I have chosen to use a different format for this trip report. First, comes a general introduction to Ethiopia. The text of this section is largely drawn from the recently published Birding Ethiopia, authored by Keith Barnes, Christian, Boix and I. For more information on the book, check out http://www.lynxeds.com/product/birding-ethiopia. After the country introduction comes a summary of the highlights of this tour. Next comes a day-by-day itinerary. Finally, there is an annotated bird list and a mammal list. ETHIOPIA INTRODUCTION Many people imagine Ethiopia as a flat, famine- ridden desert, but this is far from the case. Ethiopia is remarkably diverse, and unexpectedly lush. This is the ʻroof of Africaʼ, holding the continentʼs largest and most contiguous mountain ranges, and some of its tallest peaks. Cleaving the mountains is the Great Rift Valley, which is dotted with beautiful lakes. Towards the borders of the country lie stretches of dry scrub that are more like the desert most people imagine. But even in this arid savanna, diversity is high, and the desert explodes into verdure during the rainy season. The diversity of Ethiopiaʼs landscapes supports a parallel diversity of birds and other wildlife, and although birds are the focus of our tour, there is much more to the country. Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that was never systematically colonized, and Rueppell’s Robin-Chat, a bird of the Ethiopian mountains.
    [Show full text]
  • Liaoning Sept
    Birding in LIAONING Northeast China 5-26 September 2012 Oriental Honey-buzzard –adult female. Laotie Shan 23 Sept. 2012 Paul Holt, Terry Townshend & Per Alström [email protected] INTRODUCTION A quick perusal of a map of China suggests that the southern point of the Liaodong Peninsula of Liaoning must be an excellent site for witnessing south-bound bird migration. Numerous birds have been seen, and written about, here since the middle of the 19th century (e.g. Swinhoe 1861, Ingram 1909, Seys 1933 and 1936). The area received protection as a National Nature Reserve, the She Dao–Laotie Shan NNR that has a total area 178,073 hectares in 1980 and there have been a series of ringing stations in the reserve for at least a decade, and possibly significantly longer. However the fact that there is a Chinese naval base in the port city of Lushun (Lüshun or Lvshun) meant that foreigners have not been allowed to visit the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula for decades (perhaps even since the Communist Party came to power in 1949). This situation changed very recently and foreigners are now allowed back to Lushun and beyond, even right to Laotie Shan, the province’s southern tip. Tom Beeke, a Canadian school teacher based at Jinshitan, was the first to advise (via his regular postings on the BirdForum website http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=544 ) of the opening of the Laotie Shan area and he made several visits in autumn 2010. Beijing based British birder Terry Townshend picked up on this and visited Laotie Shan in February 2012 and again, along with Spike Millington, for over a week in mid-May 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 SOUTH KOREA 22 October – 3 November, 2018
    SOUTH KOREA 22 October – 3 November, 2018 Sandy Darling, Jeni Darling, Tom Thomas Most tours to South Korea occur in May for the spring migration or in late fall or winter for northern birds that winter in South Korea. This trip was timed in late October and early November to try see both summer residents and winter arrivals, and was successful in doing so. Birds were much shyer than in North America and often were visible only briefly, so that, for example, we saw few thrushes although they could be heard. This report has been written by Sandy and includes photos from both Tom (TT) and Sandy (SD). Sandy saw 166 species adequately of which 57 were life birds. When one includes birds heard, seen by the leader or others, or not seen well enough to count (BVD), the total was about 184. From trip reports it was clear that the person to lead the tour was Dr Nial Moores, Director of Birds Korea, an NGO working to improve the environment, especially for birds, in Korea. Nial has twenty years of experience in Korea, knows where birds are, and has ears and eyes that are exceptional. He planned the trip, made all the arrangements, found birds that we would not have found on our own and was our interface with Koreans, few of whom speak English. Nial also had to rejig the itinerary when strong winds led to the cancellation of a ferry to Baekryeong Island. We drove the vehicles - confidence was needed in dealing with city traffic, which was as aggressive as other trip reports said! Some of the highlights of the trip were: About 40,000 massed shore birds on Yubu Island, including the rare Spoonbill Sandpiper, a life bird for Tom.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Seasonal Occurrence of Birds in Dhaka University Campus
    Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 25(1): 27‐37, 2016 (January) STATUS AND SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF BIRDS IN DHAKA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MST. FARHANA ARZUMAN BANU, MUNTASIR AKASH, GAWSIA WAHIDUNNESSA CHOWDHURY* AND MD. ANWAR HOSSAIN Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh Key words: Birds, Status, Seasonal occurrence Abstract A study was conducted on the status and seasonal occurrence of the birds in Dhaka University campus, from July, 2013 to February, 2014. During the study period, 54 species of birds belonging to 10 orders, 27 families and 47 genera were recorded. Of the recorded species of birds, 10 (19%) species were found as migrants and 44 (81%) as residents. Out of total species, 14 (26%) were identified as very common, 7 (13%) common, 10 (19%) uncommon, and 23 (43%) as rare. Of the resident species, 14 (25%) were very common residents, 26 (48%) common residents, 3 (6%) uncommon residents, 1 (2%) was rare resident and of the migrants, 7 (13%) were common winter visitors and 3 (6%) were found as uncommon winter visitors. From the study site, 28 (52%) species of passerine birds were observed and remaining 26 (48%) were non‐passerines. The highest number of birds was recorded in dry period/winter season (November ‐ February) and the lowest in wet period/monsoon (July ‐ October). Introduction Bird is a group of warm‐blooded, egg‐laying vertebrates of the class Aves having its body covered with feathers and forelimbs modified into wings(1,2). They have relatively large brain, keen sight and acute hearing, but little sense of smell. They share a common ancestry with reptiles and are believed to be evolved on the earth more than 150 million years ago(2‐4).
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Survey of South-Eastern Laikipia: Lolldaiga Ranch, Ole Naishu Ranch, Borana Ranch, and Mukogodo Forest Reserve
    8 November 2015 Dear All, Recently Nigel Hunter and I went to stay with Tom Butynski on Lolldaiga Hills Ranch. Whilst there we were joined by Paul Benson, and Eleanor Monbiot for the 31st Oct, Chris Thouless joined us on 1st Nov in Mukogodo, and he and Caroline kindly put the three of us up at their house for the nights of 31st Oct and 1st Nov., and for both these dates we enjoyed the company of Lawrence, the bird-guide at Borana Lodge. For our full day on Lolldaiga on 2nd Nov., Paul spent the entire day with us. The more interesting observations follow, but this is far from the full list which exceeded 200 on Lolldaiga alone in spite of the relatively short time we were there. Best for now Brian BIRD SURVEY OF SOUTH-EASTERN LAIKIPIA: LOLLDAIGA RANCH, OLE NAISHU RANCH, BORANA RANCH, AND MUKOGODO FOREST RESERVE ITINERARY 30th Oct 2015 Drove Nairobi to Lolldaiga, birded as far as old Maize Paddock in late afternoon. 31st Oct Drove from TB house out through Ole Naishu Ranch and across Borana arriving at Mukogodo Forest in early afternoon. 1st Nov All day in Mukogodo Forest, and just 5 kilometres down the main descent road in afternoon. 2nd Nov All day on Borana, back across Ole Naishu to Lolldaiga. 3rd Nov All day outing on Lolldaiga to Black Rock, Ngainitu Kopje (North Gate), Sinyai Lugga, and evening near the Monument. 4th Nov Morning on descent road to Main Gate, Lolldaiga and forest along Timau River, leaving 11.15 AM for Nairobi.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of the Global Decline in the True Shrikes (Family Laniidae)
    228 ShortCommunications and Commentaries [Auk, Vol. 111 The Auk 111(1):228-233, 1994 CONSERVATION COMMENTARY Evaluation of the Global Decline in the True Shrikes (Family Laniidae) REUVEN YOSEF t ArchboldBiological Station, P.O. Box2057, Lake Placid, Florida 33852, USA The first International Shrike Symposiumwas held Shrike was found in 1975, and of the Northern Shrike at the Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Flor- in 1982. In Switzerland, these two specieshave offi- ida, from 11-15 January 1993. The symposium was cially been declared extinct. attended by 71 participants from 23 countries(45% In Sweden, Olsson (1993) and Carlson (1993) have North America, 32%Europe, 21% Asia, and 2% Africa). attributed the decline (over 50% between 1970 and The most exciting participation was that of a strong 1990) of the Red-backed Shrike to the destruction and contingent of ornithologists from eastern Europe. In deterioration of suitable habitats. Olsson (1993) ob- this commentary I present the points stressedat the served a large reduction of pastures in the last two Symposiumand illustrate them with severalexamples decades,and considers the Swedish law requiring as presentedby the authors. planting of unused pastures and fallow lands with The Symposiumwas convened to focus attention conifers as unfavorable for shrikes. He also stated that on, evaluate, and possibly recommend methods to nitrogenousand acid-rainpollutants have influenced reverse the worldwide decline of shrike populations. vegetationcomposition and insectpopulations, both Many of the 30 speciesare declining, or have become of which in turn have affected shrikes negatively. In extinct locally. Studies have focused mainly on the the Swedish Bird Population Monitoring Program, five speciesfound closestto placeswhere ornithol- the numbers of Red-backed Shrikes declined from a ogists live: Northern/Great Grey Shrike (Laniusex- high index of 100 in 1975, to a low of 60 in 1981.
    [Show full text]