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Differences In Temporal And Territorial Feeding Patterns Of Various Tropical Trochilidae Species As Observed At Two Different Ecosystems In Soberanía National Park, Delaney Vorwick
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
This study aims to illustrate differences in feeding patterns and displays of territorialism at two artificial feeding sites, located in two ecosystems; one site in a secondary forest of Soberanía National Park, the other in a residential area in the nearby town of Gamboa. Four 1-hour observation periods were recorded each day for four days at both sites. During each period of observation, the allocation of time to the three activities of perching, flying, and feeding was recorded, along with the number of visits the feeders. Notes were taken on patterns of territoriality as connected to species and sex. Significance …
Andean Condor Nesting And Behavior: A Study Of A Free-Living Pair And Chick As Well As Population Behavior Near Antisana Ecological Reserve, Ecuador, Ian Handler
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
The behavior of the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), especially nest behavior, is little known outside of captivity. More information on chick-parent interactions and parenting dynamics of successful condor pairs is needed in order to help create an effective conservation plan for a species in peril of extinction. Study of nest home used by a free-living pair of condors and home to a five-month old juvenile began on November 11, 2018 and continued through November 29, 2018. The nest is located in Antisanilla Biological Reserve and nearby Antisana Ecological Reserve. The chick was also tagged with numbers and a tracking device …
Avian Species And Family Composition Along Elevational And Disturbance Gradients In Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas Province, Panamá, Benjamin Shipley
Avian Species And Family Composition Along Elevational And Disturbance Gradients In Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas Province, Panamá, Benjamin Shipley
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Elevational gradients are some of the most well-known and researched biological trends. However, how species diversity varies with elevation differs by taxa and location. One hypothesis suggests that bird diversity decreases with increasing elevation in the tropics. In addition, bird diversity may decrease along the forest edge and in areas of increasing disturbance. Therefore, in this study I surveyed avian diversity along an elevational gradient in Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas, Panamá using point-count observations. Thirty-six point-count locations in 3 elevation zones were surveyed between 19 Apr and 29 Apr 2017. Shannon diversity, richness, and evenness were calculated for both …
Harpy Eagle (Harpia Harpyja) Conservation: Juvenile Behavior And Diet At A Nest Near Pijibasal, Darien, Hannah Rodgers
Harpy Eagle (Harpia Harpyja) Conservation: Juvenile Behavior And Diet At A Nest Near Pijibasal, Darien, Hannah Rodgers
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja), the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, is declining throughout its range in Neotropical forests. Hunting and deforestation threaten populations in the most important remaining eagle habitat in Central America, the Darien province of Panama. These eagles may have the longest postfledging juvenile dependency of any raptor, though juvenile behavior during this period is poorly studied. This study monitored an 11-month-old juvenile for 7 days at a nest near the indigenous community of Pijibasal in order to study behavior and diet. Researchers recorded the juvenile’s location and behavior, studied prey remains …
Avifaunal Community Composition In A Tropical Forest Corridor: A Case Study From The Atherton Tableland, North Queensland, Don Jones
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Bird communities in tropical forest ecosystems are highly threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Replanted corridors connecting isolated forest remnants are a popular method of ameliorating certain negative impacts of habitat fragmentation. Such linkages can theoretically facilitate greater dispersal, increase gene flow, and reduce the risk of local extinctions in forest birds. However, relatively few studies have examined the utilization of reforested corridors by birds, and little hard data exists to support claims that this type of resource and time intensive project is the best use of often scarce funding for conservation. This study examined the avifaunal community present in …
Species Censes & Local Conceptions Of Ornithological Fauna, Uzi, Alexandria Vandervest
Species Censes & Local Conceptions Of Ornithological Fauna, Uzi, Alexandria Vandervest
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Uzi Island is a rapidly growing and developing island with a wealth of flora and fauna found in very few other places around the world. Study is needed in every field, this was a preliminary study into the residential and migrant bird species presence on Uzi Island. Birds were observed in two of the main habitats present on Uzi Island, intertidal/mangrove and coral-rag. Three transects were cut and laid through each of the two habitats and monitored in the morning and evening hours over the course of 20 days. A total of 1949 birds were recorded comprising 71 species (708 …
Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Structuring Between Colonies Of The World’S Smallest Penguin (Eudyptula Minor) In New South Wales, Australia, Melissa R. Tighe
Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Structuring Between Colonies Of The World’S Smallest Penguin (Eudyptula Minor) In New South Wales, Australia, Melissa R. Tighe
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
The Little Penguin, Eudyptula minor, is a flightless seabird that is endemic to Australia and New Zealand. It can be found nesting on both on and offshore colonies along the coasts of both countries and it is the only penguin currently found breeding on mainland Australia. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists E. minor as “Least Concerned,” but numbers have noticeably dropped in recorded history due to a number of direct and indirect anthropogenic influences. One particular location of decline is Manly, New South Wales that contains the last onshore breeding colony of E. minor in NSW, Australia. …
Temporal Comparisons Of Avifauna In Enashiva Nature Refuge, Tanzania An Examination Of Species Richness And Abundance, The Effects Of The Onset Of The Short Rainy Season, And The Migrant Communities Present, Taran Catania
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
This study examined avian species richness, abundance, distribution, and diversity in relation to seasonal and temporal changes in Enashiva Nature Refuge, Tanzania. Data was collected in using point-counts along pre-established transects in four distinct habitats – wooded grassland, grassland, woodland, and riverine – over an 18-day period from November 6 to November 23, 2011. Transects were comprised of five point-count spots, at which data on avian species an abundance was collected for 30 minutes each. Data was compared to two previous studies conducted in November 2009 and April 2011 with similar methodologies over comparable time frames. Descriptive statistics, community similarity, …
Estatus Actual De Los Búhos Terrestres (Athene Cunicularia) En La Zona De Puerto López, Ecuador: Efectos De Las Creencias Y Sentimientos Hacía Los Animales Silvestres, Allison Qubain
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
In response to negative attitudes towards the existing biodiversity in the region of Puerto Lopez, Ecuador and as a follow-up of a study conducted in 2006 on the status of Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) populations, through informal interviews and observation, this investigation focuses on how local sentiments towards nature have affected the current status of the Burrowing Owl populations and their habitat. The investigation revealed that in addition to the effects of legends and beliefs, there is an existing lack of knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the extremely high biodiversity, which has created an evident fear instilled in the people. …
Flowers And Feeders: A Comparison Of Hummingbird Feeding Activity, Caitlin A. Mchugh
Flowers And Feeders: A Comparison Of Hummingbird Feeding Activity, Caitlin A. Mchugh
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Hummingbird feeders are the best way to see high species abundance and diversity, but few studies examine the differences in species abundance, diversity, feeding patterns, and aggression between flowering plants and artificial feeder sites within the same habitat. Are there significant affects on local hummingbird ecology by the presence of feeders? This paper explores possible answers to this question by investigating discrepancies between the two types of site and the implications of said discrepancies. A high count method was used to estimate species abundance and diversity along with qualitative observation was used to analyze aggression. The study found that, in …
Wild Bird Banding And Testing For Avian Influenza In The Plain Of Reeds, Vietnam, Kyle Campbell
Wild Bird Banding And Testing For Avian Influenza In The Plain Of Reeds, Vietnam, Kyle Campbell
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 presents an incredible threat to human and animal health throughout the planet. Little is known about the prevalence of this virus in wild bird populations; however it is evident that the virus has spread throughout most of Asia, Eastern Europe and North Africa through well established migratory flyways. Although H5N1 was first detected in central China, Vietnam has been hit the hardest by this virus, with nearly one hundred human cases to date (World Health Organization, 2006) and one hundred twenty million dollars lost in their poultry industry (Gov. of USA, 2005). Even …
Playback Experiments Using Regional Duets And Solos: Territoriality In The Grey-Breasted Wood Wren In Eastern Andean Ecuador, Arathi Govind
Playback Experiments Using Regional Duets And Solos: Territoriality In The Grey-Breasted Wood Wren In Eastern Andean Ecuador, Arathi Govind
Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection
In this study, playback experiments were conducted on the Grey-breasted Wood Wren, H. leucophrys, at Yanayacu Biological Research Station and Center for Creative Studies in Ecuador. This study was conducted in order to see how reactive the birds were towards duets from the area, solos from the area, and duets from other regions of the country. Pairs were expected to react more strongly towards duets than solos and familiar duets stronger than unfamiliar ones. Two different playback experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, six different pairs were chosen along with four different song types, a Yanayacu duet, a male …