Dawid H de Swardt

Bio: Dawid H de Swardt is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nest & Egyptian goose. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 13 publications receiving 22 citations.

2925BD Hagesdam - SABAP1 and SABAP2 compared

Abstract: Duncan McKenzie (McKenzie 2011) recently published a paper in which he compares reporting rates of SABAP1 and 2 data in the area of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. This prompted me to do the same analysis on the reporting rates of birds in the 2925BD Hagesdam quarter degree grid cell (QDGC). Much of my field work since August 1988 was concentrated in this part of the Free State Province.

Desktop ecology: Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota

Abstract: Our aim was to perform a desktop study of the ecology of the Sabota Lark by collating data from various databases and collections. The Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota is a southern African near-endemic with the largest distribution range of any southern African lark.

A comparative analysis of SABAP2 data for the Free State National Botanical Gardens and the Valley of Seven Dams Conservancy, Bloemfontein

Abstract: This paper is... a comparison of the birds of the FSNBG and V7D areas, including historical records obtained at the FSNBG before SABAP2, and data from the Birds in Reserves Project ...

Bird distribution changes in the Lydenburg area, Mpumalanga (2530AB Lydenburg and 2530BA Long Tom Pass) using SABAP data to compare with historical data: a period since the 1980s

Abstract: This study investigates the changes in bird populations and abundance in the Lydenburg and Long Tom Pass areas. SABAP 1 and SABAP 2 data are compared with other datasets for a period of over 30 years.

Territorial behaviour and vocalisations of African Rock Pipit Anthus crenatus at Lundin's Neck, Barkly East

Abstract: Ornithological Observations accepts papers containing faunistic information about birds. This includes descriptions of distribution, behaviour, breeding, foraging, food, movement, measurements, habitat and plumage. It will also consider for publication a variety of oth relevant ornithological material: reports of projects and conferences, annotated checklists for a site or region, specialist other interesting or relevant material. Editor: Arnold van der Westhuizen TERRITORIAL BEHAVIOUR AND VOCALISATIONS

Rapid and recent diversification patterns in Anseriformes birds: Inferred from molecular phylogeny and diversification analyses.

Abstract: The Anseriformes is a well-known and widely distributed bird order, with more than 150 species in the world. This paper aims to revise the classification, determine the phylogenetic relationships and diversification patterns in Anseriformes by exploring the Cyt b, ND2, COI genes and the complete mitochondrial genomes (mito-genomes). Molecular phylogeny and genetic distance analyses suggest that the Dendrocygna species should be considered as an independent family, Dendrocygnidae, rather than a member of Anatidae. Molecular timescale analyses suggests that the ancestral diversification occurred during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (58 ~ 50 Ma). Furthermore, diversification analyses showed that, after a long period of constant diversification, the median initial speciation rate was accelerated three times, and finally increased to approximately 0.3 sp/My. In the present study, both molecular phylogeny and diversification analyses results support that Anseriformes birds underwent rapid and recent diversification in their evolutionary history, especially in modern ducks, which show extreme diversification during the Plio-Pleistocene (~ 5.3 Ma). Therefore, our study support that the Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations are likely to have played a significant role in promoting the recent diversification for Anseriformes.

Preliminary summary of changes in bird distributions between the First and Second Southern African Bird Atlas Projects (SABAP1 and SABAP2)

Abstract: Making comparisons between SABAP1 and SABAP2 is more complex than anticipated at the start of SABAP2...

Bibliography: Research papers and postgraduate theses which have been largely dependent on data from the Southern African Bird Atlas Projects

Abstract: The databases of the two bird atlas projects in southern Africa have been widely used in research, as a resource both for papers and postgraduate projects. The scope and the volume of the applications of these two databases are almost certainly exceptional in relation to similar projects worldwide. This collection of papers is a monument to the citizen scientists who collected the overwhelming bulk of the data.

Avian diversity in an urbanized South African grassland

Abstract: The most critical gaps for urban wildlife researchers are in rapidly urbanizing areas in South America, Africa and Asia. This article presents quantitative studies on birds carried out in South Africa, in the inner part of the city of Bloemfontein during the years 1993–2002. Three methods were employed to quantify the avian assemblages: atlas, mapping and line transects. Atlas studies were conducted in 1997. The whole study area was divided into 1 × 1 km grid squares (100 ha). A total of 67 squares were achieved with a total surface of 5100 ha. Densities as well as the dominance of resident breeding birds were estimated by means of a simplified version of the mapping method in four plots. For a few selected species, namely Crowned Lapwing, Blacksmith Lapwing, Spotted Thick-knee, Crested Barbet, Bokmakierie, Little Swift and African Hoopoe, the numbers of breeding pairs over the whole study area (5100 ha) were estimated by means of the mapping method in a simplified version. A total of 131 bird species wer...