No abstract

The occurrence of cutaneous trematode Collyriclum faba in wild birds was monitored in the central European Carpathians from 1996 to 2001. A total of 5,414 birds, representing 86 species, was examined. Collyriclum faba was found at 7 sites (5 in Slovakia, 1 in Poland, and 1 in the Czech Republic), and prevalences at the sites varied from 1 to 16%. Ten species of passerine birds were infected: blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) (16 positive/622 tested, 2% prevalence), black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) (2/25, 8%), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) (7/113, 6%), common blackbird (Turdus merula) (1/143, 1%), common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) (1/30, 3%), dipper (Cinclus cinclus) (1/9, 11%), European robin (Erithacus rubecula) (103/838, 12%), goldcrest (Regulus regulus) (1/76, 1%), grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) (5/25, 20%), and yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) (1/73, 1%). Cutaneous cysts of C. faba were found in the birds from the end of May to mid-September, with the prevalence peaking in July and August. One to 21 cysts per bird were found. In black redstart, chaffinch, common redstart, European robin. and yellowhammer, cysts were most frequently observed on the legs, particularly in the crural region. In blackcap, common blackbird, dipper, and grey wagtail, almost all the cysts were found around the vent and on the abdomen. In goldcrest, the cyst was located above the coccygeal gland. Collyriclum faba is a common parasite in birds during summer in central European Carpathians. Collyriclum faba was observed for the first time in Poland. It appears that C. faba may be fatal for some of the bird hosts.

The larvae of trombiculid mites were surveyed in wild birds at four localities in Slovakia and one locality in Poland (all localities are situated in the Carpathian Mountains) from 1999 to 2000. The total of 1354 birds of 59 species was examined between July and September. The trombiculid mites were found in 169 (12 %) birds. The highest prevalences (37 % and 18 %) were detected at two forest localities in the Veºká Fatra Mts., the lowest prevalence (2 %) in the High Tatras above the tree line. Prevalences of more than 20 % were found in Turdus philomelos (50 %, 5 positive, 10 examined), Prunella modularis (41 %, 48/116), Troglodytes troglodytes (39 %, 11/28), Emberiza citrinella (29 %, 4/14), Turdus torquatus (29 %, 2/7) and Erithacus rubecula (26 %, 64/244). Larvae of the trombiculid mites belong to common parasites in birds in the Carpathians in late summer, especially in birds which are feeding on the ground. Mite larvae were determined as Neotrombicula vernalis (Willmann, 1942) in Erithacus rubecula (Krempna, Beskid Niski Mts., Poland) and Prunella modularis (Blatnica, Veºká Fatra Mts., Slovakia). Passerines, parasites, Europe, skin, mountains, TrombiculidaeAt various localities in Slovakia (Blatnica, Ruské, Necpaly, Tatranská Javorina) and Poland (Krempna) wild birds were examined for cutaneous trematode Collyriclum faba during summer periods from 1996 to 2000. The foci of this trematode were recently recorded in Slovakia (Literák and Sitko 1997; Literák and Honza 2000). Cutaneous trombiculid larvae were found in some examined birds in close proximity of the cloaca.Because there is relatively little data about trombiculid mites in wild birds in Central Europe (Daniel 1961;Haitlinger 1987), the aim of our work was to document and compare the prevalences of their larvae in individual species of wild birds in study areas. Materials and MethodsBirds were captured in mist-nets and visually examined for cutaneous cysts of Collyriclum faba. Skin was checked on the legs, ventral part of the body, especially between the sternum and cloaca, below the wings, around the preen gland, and on the whole head. Trombiculid larvae were recorded and their occurrence was retrospectively evaluated. Only parasites of two birds were collected into 70% ethanol and determined in the laboratory.

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. University of California Press and CooperOrnithological Society are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Condor.ABSTRACT. -Behavior, habitat use, and foraging of the Whistling Heron (Syrigma sibilatrix) and Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus) were studied in Venezuela and Argentina. Both foraged primarily alone or in pairs, but Whistling Herons also fed and roosted socially. Whistling Herons nested solitarily, maintained post-fledging associations with young, and appeared to defend feeding territories. They foraged in patches of short grass in wet savannas, especially where water was a few centimeters deep. Capped Herons also foraged in wet savanna, but the edges of streams or ponds seemed to be their preferred habitat. Whistling Herons fed by standing and slow walking, usually in an upright posture. At times they waved their heads in an exaggerated manner. Capped Herons crouched for long periods and walked slowly. Although the basic foraging tactics of the two species were similar, differences support the suggestion that the Capped Heron is a bird of forested streams and ponds while the Whistling Heron is a bird of open savanna. In many ways, the Whistling Heron resembles paleotropical grassland herons.