Marcin Bocheński

Blood chemistry in white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks varies by sex and age

Little is known on how blood biochemistry differs among avian chicks, especially in sexually monomorphic species. In this study we sampled blood chemistry of 342 white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks from nests in western Poland during four years (2005-2008). Special attention was paid to the effect of chick age and sex on blood biochemistry. Since white stork is a monomorphic species, the sex of chicks was established by a molecular technique. Nine blood biochemical parameters were studied: total protein concentration, urea, uric acid, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). There were sexual differences in total protein, uric acid, cholesterol, HDL and AST. However, total protein and uric acid only differed significantly between sexes if an age effect was included as a covariate in the analysis. Triglycerides decreased significantly, and AST, increased significantly with chick age. We confirm that blood biochemistry varies with chick age, but we also found significant differences between the sexes. Therefore, to understand changes in blood parameters, and to establish reference ranges useful in captive rearing of this endangered species, establishing gender may be important, even in very young individuals.

The effect of habitat and number of inhabitants on the population sizes of feral pigeons around towns in northern Poland

Most studies on factors influencing density of the feral pigeons Columba livia var. domestica were carried out in large cities and agglomerations. However, also in small towns, pigeons are important epidemiological and sanitary problem. In our studies, feral pigeons were censused in 33 towns located in the Pomeranian Province (northern Poland) during 2006–2008. These birds occurred in 19 (57.6%) towns. The number of pigeons was positively correlated with the area of the town, and it was significantly higher in towns localized in agricultural landscape than in towns surrounded by forests. We also found a significant effect of interactions between type of a landscape surrounding a town and residual number of inhabitants on the abundance of pigeons. In the largest towns of the Pomeranian Province, feral pigeons were concentrated mainly in central quarters. In smaller towns, they were noted in central parts or in areas with blocks of flats and even the suburbs. The obtained results suggest that food conditions in small and middle towns may be not sufficient for colonization by pigeons.

Corynebacterium pelargi sp. nov., isolated from the trachea of white stork nestlings

A Gram-stain-positive, pleomorphic, oxidase-negative, non-motile isolate from the trachea of a white stork from Poland, designated strain 136/3(T), was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic investigation. A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed highest similarities to Corynebacterium mustelae , Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis , Corynebacterium vitaeruminis and Corynebacterium ulcerans (96.0-96.3%). The quinone system consisted of major amounts of MK-8(H2), minor amounts of MK-9(H2) and traces of MK-8 and MK-9. The polar lipid profile of strain 136/3(T) contained phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside as major lipids and phosphatidylglycerol and an acidic glycolipid in moderate amounts. In addition small amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, an aminolipid and two lipids of unknown group affiliation were found. The polyamine pattern was composed of the major components spermidine and spermine. Putrescine, 1,3-diaminopropane, cadaverine, sym-homospermidine and tyramine were found in minor or trace amounts. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. In the fatty acid profile straight-chain, saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids predominated (C(18 : 1)ω9c, C(16 : 1)ω7c, C16 : 0, C(18  : 0)). Corynemycolic acids were detected. Physiological traits as well as unique traits of the polar lipid profile and the fatty acid pattern distinguished strain 136/3(T) from the most closely related species. All these results indicate that strain 136/3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium for which we propose the name Corynebacterium pelargi sp. nov. The type strain is 136/3(T) ( =CIP 110778(T) =CCM 8517(T) =LMG 28174(T)).

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Impact On The Number Of Magpies On The Roosting Place

Abstract Roost sites play a very important role in magpie’s life cycle. Frightening birds away may have disadvantageous influence on its population. There have been conducted researches concerning changes in roosting birds number for intense use of fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The researches took place on magpies’ roosting sites in Zielona Góra, W Poland. The results suggest there should be ban on using fireworks or there should be marked certain town areas (after consulting with ornithologists) where fireworks could be used.

Decline Of Jackdaws Corvus Monedula In The City Of Zielona Góra

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the number and distribution of breeding Jackdaws Corvus monedula in different urban habitat types in Zielona Góra in 2012 and to compare the results with those from a 2004 survey. On the seven study areas, the highest density was recorded in Park Tysiąclecia with 6.0 pairs per 10 ha, followed by the plot Słoneczne with 3.5, the Old Town with 1.0 and the plot Winnica with 0.4. On the plots Zacisze, Chynów and Industrial Zone, foraging Jackdaws were noted but we did not find any indication for breeding. From 2004 to 2012, the number of Jackdaws declined on the plots Słoneczne and Old Town. On the plot Winnica the number of breeding pairs remained the same. In Park Tysiąclecia Jackdaws increased from two pairs in 2004 to six pairs in 2012. This increase may have been caused by the settlement of birds formerly breeding in the Old Town where numbers were declining, probably due to the loss of suitable nest sites. The most likely causes for the overall decrease of Jackdaw numbers in Zielona Góra include renovation, modernisation and thermal insulation of buildings in the Old Town and in housing estates, leading to a decline in space available for nesting. Other significant factors are the lack of food sources in the city centre and an increasing degree of urbanisation. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by dense pine monoculture which undoubtedly has a negative influence on the number of Jackdaws.