Conservation of Migratory Birds s amateur birders noticed decline in migratory songbirds, not as many seen in favorite birding spots over many years -- small woodlots, urban areas in particular showed this -- e.g., Rock Creek Park, Washington D.C., birders with notes since 1940s indicated about one third less by 1970s but park size did not change to account for this decline -- quantifiable data later included Breeding Bird Survey started in 1965 with 1500 transects on roads throughout the U.S. and Canada -- period from 1966 – 1987 verified dramatic declines in many species, 75% of forest-dwelling and long-distance migrants especially had declined

Radar studies in Gulf of Mexico also showed serious declines in migratory songbirds Work by Sidny Gauthreaux using images in 1960s compared to those taken in 1980s Migratory waves had declined by 50%

Causes for declines: -- forest fragmentation, declines steepest in long-distance migrants that live in forests -- have shorter breeding season, fewer eggs compared to short-distance migrants -- also predators, nest parasites involved in declines, e.g., raccoons, jays, crows, cowbirds -- tropical deforestation also destroys winter habitat when birds are more densely concentrated in flocks -- source/sink areas now used in conservation

ExtinctExtinct (EX) - No individuals remaining. Extinct in the WildExtinct in the Wild (EW) - Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range. Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered (CR) - Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. EndangeredEndangered (EN) - High risk of extinction in the wild. VulnerableVulnerable (VU) - High risk of endangerment in the wild. Near ThreatenedNear Threatened (NT) - Likely to become endangered in the near future. Least ConcernLeast Concern (LC) - Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. Data DeficientData Deficient (DD) - Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction. Not EvaluatedNot Evaluated (NE) - Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.[6][6] IUCN Red Data Books started in thousands of plant and animal species evaluated every five years and categorized:

Endangered Species Act two categories for species as endangered or threatened -- listed species receive immediate protection -- also have Species of Concern, but these have no status for protection -- Act also protects hybridization, recognizing it as part of the speciation process

California Gnatcatcher ESA Case Examples Dusky Seaside Sparrow

California Gnatcatcher ESA Case Examples Dusky Seaside Sparrow Whooping Crane

Solutions: -- protect habitat, especially sources or larger forests -- Partners in Flight, cooperation between 12+ Federal agencies to locate and protect most important sites -- also international cooperation needed, training, and education -- monitoring of populations to track changes, manage species and habitats

San Pedro River valley, Arizona -- BLM protected 40 mile section in growing populations of songbirds

Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) Started by private groups in 1985 Locates and protects important stopover areas Periodic synchronous counts to monitor populations

Ivory-billed Woodpecker 11 Feb. 2004: first sighting in Big Woods, AR 21 May 2005: sighting in FL panhandle No definitive proof of bird in either area

Congaree National Park, SC Largest contiguous old growth lowland forest in U.S. Surveyed for four years by Cornell, but no ivory bills