Scientists from Doñana Biological Station – EBD-CSIC have studied the role of waterbirds in the dispersion of invertebrates between habitats. The study has taken place in seven sites in Andalucia with different degrees of anthropogenization: Doñana ricefields, Celtina and Punta Entina saltpans in Almeria, Fuente de Piedra lake in Malaga, and three landfills sites in Huelva, Sevilla, and Córdoba. This new study shows the capacity of waterbirds to disperse freshwater invertebrates,...

Soaring landbirds typically exploit atmospheric uplift as they fly overland, displaying a highly effective energy-saving locomotion. However, large water bodies lack thermal updrafts, potentially becoming ecological barriers that hamper migration. The effects of a sea surface on the migratory performance of GPS-tagged white storks (Ciconia ciconia) were assessed before, during and after they crossed the straits of Gibraltar. Oversea movements involved only flapping and gliding and were...

Research into the dispersal of plants lacking a fleshy fruit by avian endozoochory remains limited, particularly regarding the different roles of specific vectors in the same habitat. Plants dispersed by endozoochory were compared between two migratory waterbirds differing in body size: the lesser black-backed gull, and the white stork. Faeces and pellets were collected from roosting flocks on dykes in the Doñana rice fields, and extracted intact seeds. 424 intact seeds from 21 plant taxa...

Populations of trophic generalists may include specialised individuals. Optimal foraging theory states that individuals should feed on those resources most valuable to them. This, however, may vary.