City Living: Nest-Site Selection Preferences in Urban Herring Gulls, Larus argentatus

Pria, Caitlin Dalla; Cawkwell, Fiona; Newton, Stephen; Holloway, Paul A.

doi:10.3390/geographies2020011

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“…This species has a highly opportunistic diet and forages on a wide range of marine and terrestrial habitats as well as exploiting anthropogenic food sources from landfills, sewage outfalls, household wastes in urban areas and fishing waste [ 19 – 21 ]. Recently herring gulls make substantial use of anthropogenic resources and has increased in numbers in urban areas and is often observed feeding on food discarded by humans [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 subtype for herring gulls (Larus argentatus): impact of homo- and heterosubtypic immunity on the outcome of infection

Tarasiuk

Kycko

Knitter

et al. 2022

Vet Res

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To improve understanding of the pathobiology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infections in wild birds, pathogenicity and transmissibility of HPAIV H5N8 subtype clade 2.3.4.4b was evaluated in ~ 8-week-old herring gulls (Larus argentatus) divided into 3 groups: naïve birds (group A), birds previously exposed to low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) H5N1 (group B) and LPAIV H13N6 (group C). The HPAIV H5N8 virus was highly virulent for naïve gulls, that showed early morbidity, high mortality, a broad spectrum of clinical signs, including violent neurological disorders, systemic distribution of the virus in organs accompanied by high level of shedding and transmission to contact birds. Pre-exposure to homologous and heterologous LPAIV subtypes conferred only partial protection: we observed increased survival rate (statistically significant only in group B), nervous signs, pantropic distribution of virus in organs, shedding (significantly reduced in gulls of group C in the early phase of disease and asymptomatic shedding in the late phase), transmission to contact gulls (more pronounced in group B) and near-complete seroconversion in survivors. Histopathological and immunohistochemical results indicate virus tropism for the neural, respiratory and myocardial tissues. In conclusion, we demonstrate that HPAIV H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b is highly virulent and lethal for fully susceptible herring gulls and that pre-exposure to homo- and heterosubtypic LPAIV only partially modulates the disease outcome.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 subtype for herring gulls (Larus argentatus): impact of homo- and heterosubtypic immunity on the outcome of infection

Tarasiuk

Kycko

Knitter

et al. 2022

Vet Res

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Unravelling urban nesting site selection in an opportunistic gull: an integrated analysis of micro-spatial habitat and litter quantification

Martín-Vélez,

Domingo,

Cardador

et al. 2024

Eur J Wildl Res

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The proliferation of gull populations in urban areas has led to an increase in human-gull conflicts, especially in highly populated cities where these opportunistic predators are often considered a nuisance. There is a lack of data regarding the selection of nesting sites by gulls, so management measures at nesting level cannot be implemented. Here, we investigated the main environmental factors that explain the nesting preferences of the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) in urban areas, using the population in the city of Barcelona (NE Spain) as study model. We conducted an integrated analysis that combines micro-scale habitat selection assessments of 148 urban nesting sites with a macro-scale assessment of gull movements derived from GPS tracking of breeding yellow-legged gulls. We also analysed the type and abundance of litter in nests and main factors related to this. Nests were mainly found on flat roofs or above a structure on the main roof located at corner placements and situated on gravel substrate. Nest selection showed a negative relation to port distance and a building height beyond 12 m. The presence of litter was detected in more than 80% nests and was related to population density. Understanding the ecology of yellow-legged gulls in urban areas has implications for urban population management to prevent nest establishment.

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Dynamic occupancy analyses of native birds in an urban ecological reserve reveal seasonal changes in site occupancy and preference for adjacent urbanized areas

Zúñiga-Vega,

Suárez-Rodríguez,

Ramírez-Cruz

et al. 2024

Urban Ecosyst

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Urban ecological reserves are large green areas immersed within cities where native and exotic species of plants and animals coexist. Here, we examined the environmental features that facilitate the occurrence of nine species of native birds in an urban ecological reserve located within one of the largest cities in the world, Mexico City. We also searched for changes in occupancy rates among the three distinct climatic seasons that occur in central Mexico: warm-dry, rainy, and cold-dry. Using data collected during four years and multi-season occupancy models, we found that most of our study species prefer the urbanized sites that surround the reserve over the core conservation areas. This urban affinity can be explained by the diverse vegetation that prevails in such urban sites, which offers a high habitat heterogeneity that facilitates the presence of bird species with distinct ecological needs. In contrast, the reserve consists of a relatively homogeneous xerophytic scrubland where a few species of shrubs and small trees are dominant. We also detected seasonal changes in five species, with highest occupancy during the warm-dry season of each year, which coincides with both their breeding season and the driest period of the year. This finding indicates that these birds find in the reserve and surrounding urban areas enough food and water during this limiting season as well as safe nesting sites. Our study provides evidence that some native birds can become urban exploiters and that the benefits that they obtain from urban settings are greatest during their breeding season.

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City Living: Nest-Site Selection Preferences in Urban Herring Gulls, Larus argentatus

Cited by 7 publications

References 49 publications

Pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 subtype for herring gulls (Larus argentatus): impact of homo- and heterosubtypic immunity on the outcome of infection

Pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 subtype for herring gulls (Larus argentatus): impact of homo- and heterosubtypic immunity on the outcome of infection

Unravelling urban nesting site selection in an opportunistic gull: an integrated analysis of micro-spatial habitat and litter quantification

Dynamic occupancy analyses of native birds in an urban ecological reserve reveal seasonal changes in site occupancy and preference for adjacent urbanized areas

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