The Ibis - Special Connection between Egypt and Austria

Three different kinds of ibis species are attested from ancient Egypt: the sacred ibis, the glossy ibis, and the northern bald ibis. Pictorial representations of the latter bird-easily recognizable by the shape of its body, the shorter legs, long curved beak, and the typical crest covering the back of the head-were used in writings of the noun akh and related words and notions (e.g., the blessed dead). We can deduce from modern observations that in ancient times this member of the ibis species used to dwell on rocky cliffs on the eastern bank of the Nile, that is, at the very place designated as the ideal rebirth and resurrection region (the akhet). Thus, the northern bald ibises might have been viewed as visitors and messengers from the other world-earthly manifestations of the blessed dead (the akhu). The material and pictorial evidence dealing with the northern bald ibis in ancient Egypt is accurate, precise, and elaborate in the early periods of Egyptian history (until the final phase of the third millennium BCE). Later, the representations of this bird became schematized and do not correspond to nature. Thus, they do not present us with any direct and convincing evidence for the presence of the northern bald ibis in Egypt, and, moreover, they most probably witness both the bird's decline and its disappearance from the country.

The Condor, 1967

Studies of the timing and extent of molt in congeneric species of migratory birds have revealed striking interspecific differences that reflect molt adaptation at the specific level (for example, see Johnson, 1963). However, with the exception of Miller' s (1928) work on the Loggerhead Shrike (La&s ludovicianus), little attempt has been made to explain intraspecific variation in the timing and extent of molt in a migratory species in terms of adaptations at the subspecific level. The Orangecrowned Warbler (Vermivoru celata) is a suitable species for such a study because it includes four well-marked geographic races which vary greatly in the extent and location of the breeding range, in the distance and period of migration, and in the timing of breeding. V. c. celata occupies a wide longitudinal range from central Alaska and the Alaskan peninsula eastward across Canada to western and central Ontario. V. C. ore&era and V. c. lutescens, in contrast, occupy extensive latitudinal ranges. However, lutescens, which is found from southeastern Alaska to southern California, breeds along the Pacific coast and in the coast ranges, while orestera, an inland race, breeds in the Rocky Mountains and mountains of the Great Basin. V. c. sordida is restricted to the Channel Islands off the coast of southwestern California and to limited coastal areas on the adjacent mainland (ranges in all subspecies, A.O.U. Checklist , 1957). Furthermore, with the exception of an investigation of the Yellowthroat (Geo-th2ypis trichas bruckidactyhs) by Stewart (1952), there has been, to my knowledge, no detailed study of molt in a parulid. Therefore, a study of the extent, sequence, and timing of the molt in the Orange-crowned Warbler was undertaken to determine the type and degree of possible interracial differences and to see if these differences represented adaptations at the subspecific level. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 2155 museum specimens taken in all months of the year and from a wide range of breeding and wintering localities were examined. Included were 331 specimens of V. c. celeta, 452 V. c. orestera, 940 V. c. lutescens, and 436 V. c. sordida. Of these, 494 were in some stage of molt, defined here as the cyclic loss and replacement of part or all of the plumage, excluding noncyclic, accidental loss. Molt was signified by the presence of feathers with sheaths. To expose the bases of the feathers for close examination, the feathers were parted or gently lifted with a dissecting needle. A fluorescent magnifying lamp facilitated observation, Designations of feathered regions and age classes are based on criteria published previously (Foster, 1967). POST JUVENAL MOLT Extent of molt. The postjuvenal molt in the Orange-crowned Warbler was studied previously by Dwight (1900). He was concerned primarily with the extent of plumage replacement and states that there is "a partial postjuvenal molt which involves the body plumage and wing coverts, but not the rest of the wings nor the tail." From this rather general statement, it is difficult to determine which, if not all, of the wing coverts are included, as well as whether or not the tail coverts are included. In the present study, in which 353 skins of birds actually in the process

Middle East Journal of Science, 2021

The study was carried out during the free-flying period. Pairs share the incubation between the two sexes. In observations made between 2013 and 2015 (n=79 in day). Females incubated for 177.08 minutes per day on average while males incubated for 240.99 minutes per day. This incubation period is statistically different (P< 0.0001) withmales staying 23-32% longer than females. Females and males stayed in incubation together for only a short time. According to observations made(n=79), couples stay together on nests for 20.52 minutes in average. During the observations made all day long it was realized that eggs are left alone only 0.40 minutes on average.Incubation periods did not vary according to years. According to the observations made in 2013 (n=100) period for staying in the nest were not different than observations of years 2014 and 2015 statistically (P>0.05). According to 2014 (n=128) and 2015 (n=88) results no statistical difference could be observed between incubation...

Ringing & Migration, 1991

Munis Entomology & Zoology, 2024

Bird identification based on the anatomical structure of feathers is critical in forensic studies. In this study, we first examine the feather features of three co-occurring ibis species: Red-naped ibis (Pseudibis papillosa), Black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), and Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). Our findings demonstrated that the microstructure of all three ibis species' feathers differed, including node structure and pigmentation. Other characters did not change. The morphology of nodes in Red-naped ibis was identified to be crown-shaped, with 3-4 spikes, whereas nodes in Glossy ibis' and Blackheaded ibis's feathers were prong-shaped.

Bird Study, 2012

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Oryx

The northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita was once widespread throughout the Middle East, northern Africa, and southern and central Europe. Habitat destruction, persecution and the impacts of pesticides have led to its disappearance from most of its former range. It disappeared from central Europe > 400 years ago, but has persisted as a relict and slowly growing breeding population in Morocco, where c. 700 wild birds of all ages remain. In Algeria, the last confirmed breeding was in 1984; in Turkey the fully wild population disappeared in 1989, but a population remains in semi-wild conditions. In Syria a small population was rediscovered in 2002, only to subsequently decline to functional extinction. Restoration programmes have been initiated independently in several locations, with over 300 free-flying birds resulting from reintroduction projects in Austria, Germany, Spain and Turkey, to restore both sedentary and fully migratory populations. Maintaining current efforts in Moroc...

2015

This study investigates the population of Birecik Northern Bald Ibis during their reproduction period in 2012 (February-July). Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) is considered a species that could soon become extinct; 152 individuals (July 2012) are in Birecik (Turkey) as semi-wild. Birecik Northern Bald Ibis reproduces freely in their habitat of Firat riverside, in March-July. They are nourished from both feed and natural sources in this period. They start the reproduction activities in March. Copulations take place not only before and during the incubation period, but also after the chickens leave the nest. The copulations turn into an activity that has different functions. The couples carry out the incubation together. They build their nests in wood rather than rocky places. Although they prefer mass reproduction, there is also separate nesting (9%) and they incubate in wooden nests rather than in rocky places (91%). The incubation activity was carried out in 26 nests during...

Journal of Ornithology, 2009

A relict colony of Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), a critically endangered species, was unexpectedly discovered in Syria in 2002. During six subsequent breeding seasons (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007), the 3, and then 2, breeding pairs of Northern Bald Ibises have shown to be still vital and, when intensively protected, showed a higher average breeding success than that recorded in Morocco, the only other country where these birds still breed in the wild. During the six breeding seasons, a total of 24 chicks fledged and left the breeding area successfully. Between 2004 and 2007, a total of 5 immature ibises have made a return to the colony, separately and later than adults. As a consequence, two recruitment events have taken place (2006 and 2007), partly compensating for the gradual decrease in the number of adults. Breeding adults arrive from migration during the second half of February, separately, and leave together around mid-July. They nest in cavities and ledges of two limestone cliffs of the central Syria desert, located 20 km apart, well protected from the predominant wind. Breeding behaviour and the cycle are described, summarised and compared with data from the wild colonies of Morocco and the colony of Turkey before the extinction. Key threats still in place at the Syrian breeding quarters are human disturbance during settling and incubation, chick depredation by ravens, uncontrolled hunting and habitat degradation. Recommendations on how to enhance the breeding performance and ensure the survival of this colony in the future are given.

Ardeola, 2012

Birds performing long-distance migration without substantial refuelling en route rely on fat reserves accumulated in the post-breeding, pre-migratory period. In order to fill a knowledge gap in the pre-migratory behaviour of purple herons Ardea purpurea, a species conducting a 3,500-4,000 km migration journey within 5-7 days, 12 adult and four juvenile purple herons were equipped with satellite transmitters in The Netherlands. The birds were followed during and after the breeding period until they departed for their migration. Based on the recorded positions, the location and the size of pre-migratory feeding areas were identified, as well as the duration herons used these sites. In addition, the location of and the distance flown to and from night roosts could also be defined. The results revealed that failed breeders started migration at the same time as successful breeders resulting in a longer pre-migratory period. After fledging, juveniles showed an initial "search period" before settling down at a final premigratory site, which resulted in later departure to Africa compared with adults. Most of the dusk-and daylight period (amounting altogether to 15-18 hours) was spent at the feeding sites. After breeding, most adults remained to use the same feeding areas but switched from sleeping in the colony to night roosts within feeding areas, likely to minimize the daily flight costs. Based on the daily foraging time, the pre-migratory period seems to be sufficient to deposit reserves for a migration journey of several thousand kilometres. Above this, our results generally highlight the importance of high-quality premigratory feeding areas for long-distance migrants without extensive stop-over periods.