Summary In many bird monitoring surveys, no attempt is made to estimate densities or abundance. Instead, counts of one form another are made, and these assumed correlate with density. Unless complete on sample plots feasible, this approach can easily lead false conclusions, because detectability birds varies by species, habitat, observer other factors. Trends in time often reflect trends detectability, rather than Conclusions further compromised when surveys conducted at unrepresentative...

We describe Vipera walser, a new viper species from the north-western Italian Alps. Despite an overall morphological resemblance with berus, is remarkably distinct genetically both V. berus and other vipers occurring in western Europe shows closer affinities to only Caucasus. Morphologically, appear be more similar than its closest relatives Caucasus, but can readily distinguished most cases by combination of meristic features as confirmed discriminant analysis. The extant population very...

Abstract Acoustic indices are increasingly employed in the analysis of soundscapes to ascertain biodiversity value. However, conflicting results and lack consensus on best practices for their usage has hindered application conservation land‐use management contexts. Here we propose that sensitivity acoustic ecological change fidelity communities negatively impacted by signal masking. Signal masking can occur when responses taxa sensitive effect interest masked less‐sensitive groups, or target...

Although point transect distance sampling methods have become widely used in surveys of forest birds, there has been no attempt to tailor field maximize the accuracy abundance estimates by minimizing effects violations method's critical assumptions, which are: (1) birds at 0 m are detected with certainty, (2) their initial location and (3) distances objects measured accurately. We investigate on for Philippine varying count period from 2 10 min, including excluding a pre‐count settling down...

Abstract Securing the long-term resilience of world’s most speciose avifauna, that Neotropics, requires spatially and temporally explicit data to inform decisions. We examine gaps in our knowledge region’s avifauna through lens biodiversity shortfall concept: between realized complete knowledge. This framework serves as a useful tool take stock last 25 yr Neotropical ornithological work since untimely death Ted Parker. Here, we highlight 7 key shortfalls: taxonomy, distribution, abundance,...

The suitability of point count distance methods for estimating densities tropical parrots and hornbills was assessed during surveys in Indonesia. will perform well, so long as the following are considered. (1) Enough bird records must be accumulated to model species' detection curves precisely. For some species, around 2000 counts may needed and, very rare method not appropriate. Pooling data across habitats, species or years increase precision cases small sample size. (2) Point likely less...

We estimated densities of parrot and hornbill species in primary selectively logged forest gardens at two lowland sites on New Britain, PNG. related differences abundance to food nest‐site availability the different habitats determined whether might limit local breeding populations. Blue‐eyed Cockatoo Cacatua ophthalmica Blyth's Hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus were usually rarer than forest, but both fared well forest. Eclectus Parrot roratus was more common all human‐altered forests Eastern...

The heavily traded Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus is believed to have undergone rapid population decline, yet there are almost no quantitative data on abundance changes over time from anywhere within its huge range. We reviewed the species’ historical across Ghana, undertook targeted searches during 3‐ 5‐day visits 42 100‐km 2 cells country's forest zone, repeated counts at 22 parrot roosts first performed two decades ago and gauged around 900 people's perceptions of decline causes. In 150...

Estimates of population density and abundance change (differences in or encounter rates across land uses time periods) form the cornerstone much our knowledge species' responses to environmental conditions, extinction risks potential conservation actions. Gathering baseline data on world's c . 10 000 bird species monitoring trends light rapidly changing harvest pressures is a daunting prospect. With this mind, we review literature densities changes habitats one largest most threatened...

Geophagy is well known among some Neotropical parrots. The clay apparently adsorbs dietary toxins and/or provides supplemental nutrients. We used location data and 23 environmental layers to develop a predictive model of claylick distribution using Maxent software. related species characteristics use examined how parrot assemblages claylicks changed with distance from the centre distribution. Fifty‐two were reported an area ca 4 million km 2 but over 50% restricted 35 000 region southeast...

Abstract We identified species‐ and community‐level dietary characteristics for a species‐rich Amazonian parrot assemblage to determine relationships among metrics use of geophagy sites. Previous studies suggest that soil is consumed at sites in this region mainly supplement sodium. accumulated 1400 feeding records 16 species over 2 yr found seeds, flowers, fruit pulp featured prominently diets, while bark, insects, lichen were small quantities. Food availability across 1819 trees was...

Timber concessions cover 90% of forest on some Indonesian islands, but the effects logging endemic‐rich island avifaunas are poorly known. I used a point count method to estimate population densities Seram’s lowland birds in recently logged and unlogged forest. Few bird species were excluded from forest, several similarly common two habitats. Bird diversity (the Shannon index) was, however, significantly lower The proportion that declined after was comparable reported species‐rich...

The Niger Delta Region is the largest river delta in Africa and features fifth mangrove forest on Earth. It provides numerous ecosystem services to local populations holds a wealth of biodiversity. However, due oil gas reserves explosion human population it under threat from overexploitation degradation. There pressing need for an accurate assessment land cover dynamics region. limited previous efforts have produced controversial results, as area western notorious gaps Landsat archive lack...

Abstract Estimation of avian biodiversity is a cornerstone measure ecosystem condition. Surveys conducted using autonomous recorders are often more efficient at estimating diversity than traditional point‐count surveys. However, there limited research into the optimal temporal resolution for sampling—the trade‐off between number samples and sample duration when sampling survey window with fixed effort—despite allowing easy repeat compared to methods. We assess whether additional coverage...

Summary The island of Sumba was visited in 1989 and 1992 with the aim collecting data on its avifauna. endemic other restricted-range bird species are very poorly known and, potentially, at great risk from extinction due to habitat change. Using standardized methods, census were collected eight forest areas. Analysis shows that most forest-dependent. exception is Turnix everetti (Sumba Buttonquail), which found open grassland. Discriminant Function used define associations a more precise...