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Aim Processes and variables measured in ecology are almost always spatially autocorrelated, potentially leading to the choice of overly complex models when performing variable selection. One way to solve this problem is to account for residual spatial autocorrelation (RSA) for each subset of variables considered and then use a classical model selection criterion such as the Akaike information criterion (AIC). However, this method can be laborious and it raises other concerns such as which spatial model to use or how to compare different spatial models. To improve the accuracy of variable selection in ecology, this study evaluates an alternative method based on a spatial cross-validation procedure. Such a procedure is usually used for model evaluation but can also provide interesting outcomes for variable selection in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Innovation We propose to use a special case of spatial cross-validation, spatial leave-one-out (SLOO), giving a criterion equivalent to the AIC in the absence of spatial autocorrelation. SLOO only computes non-spatial models and uses a threshold distance (equal to the range of RSA) to keep each point left out spatially independent from the others. We first provide some simulations to evaluate how SLOO performs compared with AIC.We then assess the robustness of SLOO on a large-scale dataset. R software codes are provided for generalized linear models. Main conclusions The AIC was relevant for variable selection in the presence of RSA if the independent variables considered were not spatially autocorrelated. It otherwise failed because highly spatially autocorrelated variables were more often selected than others. Conversely, SLOO had similar performances whether the variables were themselves spatially autocorrelated or not. It was particularly useful when the range of RSA was small, which is a common property of spatial tools. SLOO appears to be a promising solution for selecting relevant variables from most ecological spatial datasets.

Bird eyes are more neglected organs in studies targeting the structure of the helminth fauna, which are instead mainly focused on the digestive and respiratory systems. In an extended study aimed at identifying helminths in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo), the eyes of 92 birds were also examined. Morphological characteristics and molecular analyses were used to identify the collected specimens. Eyeworms were found in only one bird, a juvenile male (1/92; 1.08%). Two nematodes were collected, a female and a fourth-stage larva. This is the first report of Oxyspirura petrowi in the common buzzard. The results highlight the need for careful examination of raptors’ eyes as ocular parasitism can affect their vision.

Diurnal raptors and the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) wintering in the lowland farmland of northwestern Italy were surveyed again after 20 years, during the winters of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Data were collected using roadside car transects, and perpendicular distances of birds from the transect lines were recorded to estimate wintering raptor densities. Ten species (9 raptors) were observed, but only two species, the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), were recorded frequently enough to allow reliable density estimates. Extensive rice fields in the north-eastern part of the study area supported high densities of common buzzards, with estimates ranging between 1 and 2 individuals per km². Although occurring at lower densities (~ 0.5 individuals per km²), the common kestrel showed a broader habitat tolerance and appeared less dependent on specific agricultural landscapes. The estimated wintering population of common buzzards in the lowland farmland of the Piemonte region, an area covering approximately 5,700 km², was slightly higher than that recorded 20 years earlier, ranging between 4,000 and 5,000 individuals. For the common kestrel, the estimated wintering population in the same area was around 2,500 individuals (1,800–3,500). However, the total wintering populations of both species in the whole region were certainly much larger, because they are also widespread during winter in hilly and mountainous areas. Overall, the results highlighted the importance of rice fields for wintering common buzzards, suggested stability in the raptor community, and advocated for broader adoption of distance sampling methods for effective large-scale bird surveys.

The prevalent pesticide carbofuran was banned in the European Union (EU) in 2008; however, the extent of its actual elimination from the environment has been little studied. The presence of this pesticide in the livers of the protected raptors the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) was monitored in Poland from 2008 to 2019 using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis and data from government institutions. Carbofuran residues were detected in the liver samples of the analysed raptors throughout the period studied. In total, carbofuran was detected in the livers of 33% of the eagles and 54% of the buzzards; concentrations were in the ranges of 11–699 and 14–1890 μg kg–1 of dry matter, respectively. Effective measures to eliminate banned pesticides from the market more efficiently are required.

The recovery of some predator species in recent decades has intensified conflicts between humans and predators. To mitigate these conflicts, knowledge of predator-prey relationships is needed. The aim of this study was to estimate the predation rate of common buzzards Buteo buteo on young brown hares Lepus europaeus and to compare the magnitude of this predation between two areas that differ in the type of agricultural landscape, i.e. the size of crop fields. In the years 2005–2014, the composition of buzzard diet was studied in western Poland by analysing pellets and prey remains of nestlings and adult birds (7971 prey items identified) and estimating the abundance of buzzards (searching for and observing their nests) and hares (spotlight counts) in two adjacent areas (75 km2 in total) with small and large fields. The diet of common buzzards was dominated by common voles Microtus arvalis, and the frequency of hares ranged from 1.1% of prey items in the nestling diet to 0.2% in the diet of post-breeding individuals. The total number of hares consumed by buzzards during the spring-summer season in the whole study area amounted to 2.94 per km2, which is equal to 7.8–15.3% of the young hares born per km2. However, the predation rate estimated based on the nestling food was 2.6 times lower in small fields than in large fields. Thus, this study suggests that reducing buzzard predation on young hares can be achieved by habitat management, i.e. the creation of agricultural landscapes with numerous field boundaries.

The common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) was previously shown to transmit two Sarcocystis species (S. glareoli and S. microti) forming cysts in the brains of rodents. Due to a lack of research, the richness of Sarcocystis species spread by these birds of prey is expected to be much higher. A total of 30 samples of the small intestine of the Common Buzzard were collected in Lithuania and subjected to Sarcocystis species identification based on nested PCR of 28S rRNA and ITS1, following the sequencing of amplified DNA fragments. Six known Sarcocystis spp., S. cornixi, S. glareoli, S. halieti, S. kutkienae, S. turdusi, and S. wobeseri, along with three genetically distinct species (Sarcocystis sp. Rod3, Sarcocystis sp. Rod4, and Sarcocystis sp. Rod5), were identified. Phylogenetically, these three potentially new species clustered with Sarcocystis spp. characterised by a rodents-birds life cycle. Sarcocystis spp. employing rodents and birds as their intermediate hosts were detected in 66.7% and 50.0% of samples, respectively. These findings are consistent with the diet preferences of Common Buzzards. Notably, co-infections with two or more species were observed in a half of the samples. Altogether, the obtained results indicate that the Common Buzzard could serve as definitive host of various Sarcocystis species.

Background Exploring the dynamics of gut microbiome colonisation during early-life stages is important for understanding the potential impact of microbes on host development and fitness. Evidence from model organisms suggests a crucial early-life phase when shifts in gut microbiota can lead to immune dysregulation and reduced host condition. However, our understanding of gut microbiota colonisation in long-lived vertebrates, especially during early development, remains limited. We therefore used a wild population of common buzzard nestlings ( Buteo buteo ) to investigate connections between the early-life gut microbiota colonisation, environmental and host factors. Results We targeted both bacterial and eukaryotic microbiota using the 16S and 28S rRNA genes. We sampled the individuals during early developmental stages in a longitudinal design. Our data revealed that age significantly affected microbial diversity and composition. Nest environment was a notable predictor of microbiota composition, with particularly eukaryotic communities differing between habitats occupied by the hosts. Nestling condition and infection with the blood parasite Leucocytozoon predicted microbial community composition. Conclusion Our findings emphasise the importance of studying microbiome dynamics to capture changes occurring during ontogeny. They highlight the role of microbial communities in reflecting host health and the importance of the nest environment for the developing nestling microbiome. Overall, this study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between microbial communities, host factors, and environmental variables, and sheds light on the ecological processes governing gut microbial colonisation during early-life stages.

[...]the viruses have reached a fine-tuned balance with their corresponding host, which allows them to persist and spread successfully to new hosts, either of the same species without being lethal or to new hosts where they are most likely lethal (3,4). The presence of a protein kinase in the FeHV-1 genome (encoded by the Us3 gene) might have phosphorylated various Akt substrates as an Akt surrogate, as reported in herpes simplex virus type 1 and pseudorabies virus infection (HSV-1 and PRV). [...]an interesting case report bySuárez-Santana et al., documented the first report of disease caused by the Buteo buteo herpesvirus infection in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo insularum) from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean). Conflict of interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

This study aimed to document the pathological findings observed in a common buzzard ( Buteo buteo insularum ) from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean), naturally infected with Buteo buteo herpesvirus (HV). Local authorities found the common buzzard alive, but it died after 10 days of specialized veterinary care. Postmortem investigation, including complete gross and histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, microbiology, and PCR, was performed. The animal presented necrotizing heterophilic and histiocytic bilateral conjunctivitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis with secondary bacterial and fungal infections. Frequent eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in the oral mucosa and esophagus epithelium. HV proteins and DNA were detected in tissues from this animal. The sequences obtained from the PCR product were identical to the reported sequences of Buteo buteo HV.

Toxocara cati is a common parasite of wild and domestic felines, and presents a cosmopolitan distribution. Adult parasites localize in the gut of the definitive host giving rise to the infection, which usually runs asymptomatic. These worms produce eggs that are excreted with feces into the environment, where they become a source of infection for paratenic hosts, such as mammals, birds, and invertebrates. In this brief communication, we report the detection of T. cati larvae in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and a red kite (Milvus milvus), in the Basilicata Region of Italy. This result may be important to define new pathways of spread and survival of T. cati in the wild.