Consistent expanding urbanization dramatically transforms natural habitats and exposes organisms to novel environmental challenges, often leading to reduced species richness and diversity in cities. However, it remains unclear how individuals are affected by the urban environment and how they can or cannot adjust to the specific characteristics of urban life (e.g. food availability). In this st...

Avian influenza (AI) is an acute infectious disease with worldwide significance causing extensive economic losses in the poultry industry. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae and categorized in the genus influenza virus A. These viruses have been isolated from more than 100 species of free-living birds. Migratory birds are considered as reservoirs for AIVs and a...

The 2004 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 disease in China led to a great poultry loss and society attention. A survey of avian influenza viruses was conducted on tree sparrows (Passer montanus) collected in China in 2004. Four viruses were isolated from free-living tree sparrows. The results of the whole-genome analysis indicated that an H5N1 virus with a new genotype is cir...

There was a time when waiters would try to shoo away the cheeky house sparrows (Passer domesticus) that flit around European sidewalk cafés in search of crumbs. Where I live, at least, they now seem have given up: outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and with any scant success reversed by patrons who toss birds tidbits. It's dynamic holds mirror our love–hate relationship these little creatures (Figure ...

Comparative Toxicity of Seventeen Pesticides to the Quelea, House Sparrow, and Red-Winged Blackbird. SCHAFER, E. W., JR., BRUNTON, R. B., LOCKYER, N. F. AND DE GRAZIO, J. W. (1973). Toxicol. Appl. Phurmacol. 26, 154-157. The acute po LD5,, values of 17 commercial or experimental pesticides were determined for quelea (Quelea quelea), house sparrows (Passer domesticus), and red-winged blackbirds ...

Conspecific brood parasitism occurs in many songbird species but has not been reported in Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia). In three separate study areas where breeding Song Sparrows experience heavy nest predation pressure and Brownheaded Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism, we observed six instances in which newly laid eggs were attributable to female Song Sparrows other than the nest owners...

Predation risk may affect the allocation priorities of limiting resources by potential prey. Investment in immune function should receive reduced priority, when hosts are exposed to predators because of the costs of immune function. We tested this hypothesis by randomly exposing adult house sparrows, Passer domesticus, to either a cat, Felis catus, or a rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, for 6 h wh...