Foraging of White Storks Ciconia ciconia on Rubbish ...

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January 2006 together with Black Kites Milvus migrans and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis) and at sewage farm .... graphic variation of the winter diet of the Red Kite.
Foraging of White Storks Ciconia ciconia on Rubbish Dumps on Non-Breeding Grounds Author(s): Micha# Ciach and Robert Kruszyk Source: Waterbirds, 33(1):101-104. 2010. Published By: The Waterbird Society DOI: 10.1675/063.033.0112 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1675/063.033.0112

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Foraging of White Storks Ciconia ciconia on Rubbish Dumps on Non-Breeding Grounds MICHAL⁄ CIACH* AND ROBERT KRUSZYK Department of Forest Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31 - 425 Kraków, Poland *Corresponding author; E-mail: [email protected] Abstract.—With the exception of western Europe, little is known about foraging by White Storks on rubbish dumps. Information is presented on this phenomenon along the migration routes and wintering grounds of the White Stork. White Stork foraging on rubbish dumps is a common behavior in northern Africa and the Middle East and appears related to the wintering of European White Storks in new areas closer to their breeding grounds. South Africa, where a local breeding population has established, is another region where foraging on rubbish dumps has been observed. The development of rubbish dumps may have major consequences for the future ecology of White Stork. Received 22 April 2009, accepted 30 November 2009. Key words.—Ciconia ciconia, foraging, non-breeding grounds, rubbish dumps, White Storks. Waterbirds 33(1): 101-104, 2010

The White Stork Ciconia ciconia has been associated with man-made habitats in Europe throughout the centuries and today most of the birds nest in close proximity to human settlements (Creutz 1988; Schulz 1998; Profus 2006). The White Stork is an opportunist forager with a natural diet comprised of earthworms Lumbricidae, insects (mainly beetles Coleoptera and locusts Orthoptera), fish, amphibians and small mammals (predominantly voles Microtus sp.) (Cramp and Simmons 1977; Schulz 1998; Antczak et al. 2002; Antczak and Dolata 2006; Profus 2006). Although open habitats in large river valleys are the major feeding places for White Stork, human-induced habitat alternation has reduced the extent of suitable foraging areas and contributed to population declines. The species has been threatened with extinction in western Europe (Bairlein 1991; Araujo and Biber 1997; Profus 2006). Recently, White Stork population recovery in western Europe has been recorded (Schulz 1998). However, the increase in numbers coincides with fundamental changes in behavior. Nowadays, the western European population is characterized by common colonial breeding, wintering on breeding grounds, and the phenomenon of regular foraging on rubbish dumps and slaughterhouse waste (Tortosa et al. 1995;

Blanco 1996; Tortosa et al. 2002, 2003; Massemin-Chalet et al. 2006). Rubbish dumps, also known, variously, as garbage dumps, landfills or tips, have become an important resource for birds throughout North America and Europe (Kihlman and Larsson 1974; Burger and Gochfeld 1983; Horton et al. 1983; Patton 1988; Blanco 1994, 1997; Garcia et al. 1998; Larraz 1999). Foraging at such sites has been implicated in species range changes and increased abundance as well as modifications in breeding, wintering ecology and migration strategies (Pons 1992; Bertellotti et al. 2001). Except for western Europe, foraging by White Storks on rubbish dumps is little known (Brown et al. 1982; Schulz 1998). Recently, the use of rubbish dumps was recorded for a central European population of White Storks and the number of the birds using these sites has increased (Kruszyk and Ciach 2009). The goal of this paper is to describe the phenomenon of foraging by White Storks on rubbish dumps on the nonbreeding grounds. METHODS Data on White Stork feeding on rubbish dumps were based on the responses to questionnaires distributed via several mailing lists. The questions about the place and date of observation, the number and age (immature or adult) of observed birds, the place of foraging (birds ob-

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served in the immediate location of the rubbish or at the edges of the dump) were included. The questionnaire was distributed via mailing lists: Israbirdnet (357 subscribers), Middle East Bird Net (437 subscribers) and continental African Birds Club (1291 subscribers). Researchers working with White Stork were asked directly about their opinion of the phenomenon. Also, reports in regional bulletins and journals of foraging on rubbish dumps were reviewed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Information on White Storks on rubbish dumps was obtained from the Middle East— Israel and the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Yemen), and from North Africa—Egypt, Morocco (Table 1). Based on questionnaires, the use of rubbish dumps appears a common behavior along traditional migration routes across the Mediterranean Sea. However, in some of these places, new White Stork wintering grounds have appeared over the last few decades (Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria—see Djerdali et al. 2008). The use of garbage, an easily accessible food source, may have resulted in short-

ened migration distances, as recorded for the central European population (Fiedler 2001; Kania 2006). A similar process and wintering on breeding grounds have been recorded for the southwestern European population, where rubbish dump use is a common behavior (Tortosa et al. 1995; Blanco 1996; Tortosa et al. 2002; Peris 2003; Tortosa et al. 2003; Massemin-Chalet et al. 2006). A second region where foraging on rubbish dumps has been observed is South Africa (Table 1) where there has been a small White Stork breeding population since ca. 1933 (Schulz 1998). The birds nest in urban areas and probably use such easily accessible food sources on a regular basis. However, there is no information available for a major part of the non-breeding grounds extending from the Sahel region and East Africa. Both, the number of observers in these areas and the potential for gathering data are minimal, thus collection of even negative records is difficult. Rubbish dumps and abattoirs provide food for several species of scavenging birds

Table 1. Foraging of White Storks Ciconia ciconia on rubbish dumps located on migration routes and wintering grounds. Country

General remarks, date and place

Israel

Common behaviour in entire country. Birds regularly recorded at rubbish dumps in Bet Shean, Hiria, kibbutz Evron near Naharia (850 ind. in January 2007), Dudaim (100 and 300 ind. on 2 February and 6 March 2007, respectively), Eilat and in the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport.

Oman

Recorded regularly at rubbish dumps in Barka, Quriyat (ca. 40 ind. on 8 November 2006), Salalah (up to 100 ind. regularly during November-March) and MAM Camp (army base). Both the Barka and Quriyat dumps have a sewage pond nearby. White Storks also seen foraging within towns at Ras al Hadd.

Yemen

Recorded at rubbish dumps in Sana’a (1 ind.), Dhamar (ca. 10 ind.), Bajil (up to 30 ind.) and Taiz (200 ind. on 12 November 2006). Regularly seen scavenging during the post-breeding migration by the roadside in Tihama near Hays.

Egypt

Commonly seen feeding and resting at rubbish dumps. Hundreds regularly seen near Hurghada, Abu Simbel, Aswan (small flocks throughout the winter, e.g. 18 ind. on 31 January 2006 together with Black Kites Milvus migrans and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis) and at sewage farm near Sharm el-Sheikh. In the latter locality a small winter population of White Stork (50-300 ind.) recorded at least since the mid 1990s. Birds regularly seen foraging in the area on garbage (e.g. a flock of 340 ind. on 12 February 2006).

Morocco

Common behaviour. In northern Morocco during winter 2005/06 up to 600 ind. recorded feeding on a sprawling rubbish dump. On 27 February 2007 at least 200 White Storks seen foraging on rubbish dump south of Casablanca with numerous gulls and Cattle Egrets.

South Africa

Common behaviour. Birds regularly recorded at rubbish dumps in Johannesburg, Strandfontein (6 ind. on 17 January 2007) and Visserhok (ca. 200 ind.). Hundreds of White Storks observed near Tigerberg Zoo, Cape Town, close to a slaughterhouse, foraging with pelicans and Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopica.

WHITE STORKS ON RUBBISH DUMPS

in Africa, including Marabou Storks Leptoptilos crumeniferus, Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus, Black Kites Milvus migrans, and Pied Crows Corvus albus (Pomeroy 1975). White Storks wintering in Africa are considered to be locust specialists (Brown et al. 1982) but a reliance on rubbish dumps is a possible future scenario. The development of this behavior could have major impacts on various aspects of White Stork biology, such as population abundance, distribution, survival, migration and breeding strategies (see Massemin-Chalet et al. 2006; Djerdali et al. 2008). In addition, birds using refuse have been found to carry a range of pathogens, harmful to both humans and livestock (Monaghan et al. 1985; Ferns and Mudge 2000; Palmgren et al. 2006). Pathogens transmitted by birds, when coupled with their considerable powers of dispersal, may give rise to public health problems, particularly when birds roost on potable water supplies (Monaghan et al. 1985). White Storks gathering at rubbish dumps and their subsequent dispersal throughout neighboring habitats have the potential for the transmission of disease. Among Ciconiiformes, Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica (Clark 1979; Clergeau and Yésou 2006), Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Custer and Osborn 1978; Seedikkoya et al. 2007), and Marabou Stork (Kahl 1966; Pomeroy 1975, 1977; Matagi 2002) are known to use rubbish dumps for foraging. Also, Black Stork Ciconia nigra (Cano Alonso 2006) and Abdim’s Stork Ciconia abdimii (M. C. Jennings, pers. comm.) have been recorded at rubbish dumps. Presently, White Storks forage on rubbish dumps in mixed groups with other Ciconiformes species; Abdim’s Stork in southern Arabia and Cattle Egret and Sacred Ibis in South Africa (Table 1). Anthropogenic modifications of the environment can impact the biology of species, and the distribution and breeding ecology of White Stork is a well-known example (Profus 2006). The use of rubbish dumps by birds appears commonplace throughout the world and garbage and refuse have become an important food source for many avian species. Accordingly, changes in waste management

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practices could have major consequences on the current abundance and distribution patterns of birds. While rubbish dumps may have served to enhance local bird populations and extend their ranges, more modern waste management could, conversely, reduce accessibility to this easy food resource and limit populations (Kilpi and Öst 1998). We trust that this paper will draw the attention of researchers to the worldwide phenomenon of rubbish dump use by birds and stimulate more extensive studies. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank K. Al-Omari, N. Baker, S. Bonmarchand, W. Van den Bossche, E. Dovrat, L. G. R. Evans, T. Haraldsson, I. Harrison, D. Hoek, M. C. Jennings, T. Ku⁄lakowski, S. Lister, M. Megalli, M. S. L. Mills, O. Ovadia, N. Perrins, A. Riad, D. Stanton, L. Underhill, T. Walsh and R. Yosef for information on White Storks. P. T. Dolata, Z. Kasprzykowski, P. Profus, P. Tryjanowski and C. A. Whittington-Jones commented on the manuscript. LITERATURE CITED Antczak, M., Sz. Konwerski, S. Grobelny and P. Tryjanowski. 2002. The food composition of immature and non-breeding White Storks in Poland. Waterbirds 25: 424-428. Antczak, M. and P. Dolata. 2006. Night roosts, flocking behaviour and habitat use of non-breeding fraction and migrating White Stork Ciconia ciconia in the Wielkopolska region (SW Poland). Pages 209-224 in White Stork in Poland: Studies in Biology, Ecology and Conservation. (P. Tryjanowski, T. H. Sparks and L. Jerzak, Eds.). Bogucki Wydawnictwo Naukowe, ´ Poland. Poznan, Araujo, A. and O. Biber. 1997. White Stork Ciconia ciconia. Pages 58-59 in The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. (W. J. M. Hagemeijer and M. J. Blair, Eds.). T&AD Poyser, London, UK. Bairlein, F. 1991. Population studies of White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) in Europe. Pages 207-229 in Bird Population Studies. (C. M. Perrins, J.-D. Lebreton and G. J. M. Hirons, Eds.). Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Bertellotti, M., P. Yorio, G. Blanco and M. Giaccardi. 2001. Use of tips by nesting Kelp Gulls at a growing colony in Patagonia. Journal of Field Ornithology 72: 338-348. Blanco, G. 1994. Seasonal abundance of Black Kites associated with the rubbish dump of Madrid, Spain. Journal of Raptor Research 28: 242-245. Blanco, G. 1996. Population dynamics and communal nesting of White Storks foraging at a Spanish refuse dump. Colonial Waterbirds 19: 273-276. Blanco, G. 1997. Role of refuse as food for migrant, floater and breeding Black Kites (Milvus migrans). Journal of Raptor Research 31: 71-76.

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