Urbanization predicts flight initiation distance in feral pigeons (Columba livia) across New York City

Carlen, Elizabeth J.; Li, Richard; Winchell, Kristin M.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.021

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 49 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Other behavioral differences between urban and rural birds may also be associated with rural birds experiencing a greater aerobic demand. Several studies, including a recent study in our lab (unpublished data), have found that rural song sparrows have a longer flight initiation distance (i.e., birds tended to fly away when observers were further way) compared to suburban birds (Evans et al, 2010;Fossett and Hyman, 2021), a response that has been observed in other avian species as well (Lin et al, 2012;Møller et al, 2013;Carlen et al, 2021). Flight initiation distance, in turn, is positively correlated with basal metabolic rate (BMR), suggesting BMR may be higher in rural birds as a consequence of longer flight initiation distance and the frequency of such flights (Møller, 2009a).…”

Section: Effects Of Low-density Urbanization On Oxidative Stress Body...mentioning

confidence: 59%

Variation in Hematological Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Function Among Male Song Sparrows From Rural and Low-Density Urban Habitats

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A central theme in the field of ecology is understanding how environmental variables influence a species’ distribution. In the last 20 years, there has been particular attention given to understanding adaptive physiological traits that allow some species to persist in urban environments. However, there is no clear consensus on how urbanization influences physiology, and it is unclear whether physiological differences in urban birds are directly linked to adverse outcomes or are representative of urban birds adaptively responding to novel environmental variables. Moreover, though low-density suburban development is the fastest advancing form of urbanization, most studies have focused on animals inhabiting high intensity urban habitats. In this study, we measured a suite of physiological variables that reflect condition and immune function in male song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) from rural and suburban habitats. Specifically, we measured hematological indices [packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)], circulating glutathione (total, reduced, and oxidized), oxidative damage (d-ROM concentration), antioxidant capacity, and components of the innate immune system [bacteria killing ability (BKA), white blood cell counts]. We also measured whole-animal indices of health, including body condition (scaled mass index length) and furcular fat. Song sparrows inhabiting suburban environments exhibited lower hemoglobin and MCHC, but higher body condition and furcular fat scores. Additionally, suburban birds had higher heterophil counts and lower lymphocyte counts, but there were no differences in heterophil:lymphocyte ratio or BKA between suburban and rural birds. PCV, glutathione concentrations, and oxidative damage did not differ between suburban and rural sparrows. Overall, suburban birds did not exhibit physiological responses suggestive of adverse outcomes. Rather, there is some evidence that sparrows from rural and suburban habitats exhibit phenotypic differences in energy storage and metabolic demand, which may be related to behavioral differences previously observed in sparrows from these populations. Furthermore, this study highlights the need for measuring multiple markers of physiology across different types of urban development to accurately assess the effects of urbanization on wildlife.

show abstract

Section: Effects Of Low-density Urbanization On Oxidative Stress Body...mentioning

confidence: 59%

Variation in Hematological Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Function Among Male Song Sparrows From Rural and Low-Density Urban Habitats

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As expected, our isolates were less closely related to PPMV-1 isolates from Midwestern states along the Central Flyway, such as Kansas and Texas. Highly adapted to urban areas with increased, dense human activity, rock doves are not migratory, but have the ability to fly great distances of up to 1,800 kilometers if displaced from their homes ( 25 , 26 ). As a major stop along a migratory flyway, New York City’s urban and natural areas alike provide many opportunities for wild birds to forage together and otherwise interact.…”

Section: Discussion and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Velogenic Avian Paramyxoviruses in Rock Doves in New York City, New York

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As expected, our isolates were less closely related to PPMV-1 isolates from Midwestern states along the Central Flyway, such as Kansas and Texas. Highly adapted to urban areas with increased, dense human activity, rock doves are not migratory, but have the ability to fly great distances of up to 1800 kilometers if displaced from their homes (28,29). As a major stop along a migratory flyway, New York City's urban and natural areas alike provide many opportunities for wild birds to forage together and otherwise interact.…”

Section: Discussion and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of velogenic avian paramyxoviruses in rock doves in New York City, New York

Francisco

Bailey

Bautista

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Avian paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1), also known as Newcastle disease virus (NDV), causes severe and economically important disease in poultry around the globe. Although a limited amount of APMV-1 strains in urban areas have been characterized, the role of the urban wild bird population as an APMV-1 reservoir is unclear. Since urban birds may have an important role for long-term circulation of the virus, fecal and swab samples were collected by community scientists from wild birds in New York City (NYC), New York, United States. These samples were screened for APMV-1 and genotypically characterized by sequencing of the complete genome. A total of 885 samples were collected from NYC parks and from a local wildlife rehabilitation clinic from October 2020 through June 2021. Eight birds (1.1 %) screened positive for the APMV-1 nucleoprotein gene by conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and two live viruses were isolated via egg culture. The F protein cleavage site, an indicator of pathogenicity, was present in the two samples fully sequenced by next generation sequencing, and positioned 112R R K K R F117. Phylogenetic analysis of the F gene coding sequence classified both isolates into genotype VI, a diverse and predominant genotype responsible for NDV outbreaks in pigeon and dove species worldwide.ImportanceHere we describe the first large-scale effort to screen for APMV-1 in New York City’s wild bird population as part of the New York City Virus Hunters program, a community science initiative. We have characterized two isolates of NDV, with phylogenetic analyses suggesting diversity in established and circulating strains of pigeon paramyxoviruses. Our isolates are also domestic reference strains for future APMV-1 vaccine developments. Future surveillance in this region may contribute to our understanding of NDV’s evolution and genetic diversity, as well as inform poultry husbandry and vaccination practices in New York State.

show abstract

Urbanization predicts flight initiation distance in feral pigeons (Columba livia) across New York City

Cited by 20 publications

References 49 publications

Variation in Hematological Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Function Among Male Song Sparrows From Rural and Low-Density Urban Habitats

Variation in Hematological Indices, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Function Among Male Song Sparrows From Rural and Low-Density Urban Habitats

Detection of Velogenic Avian Paramyxoviruses in Rock Doves in New York City, New York

Detection of velogenic avian paramyxoviruses in rock doves in New York City, New York

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About