Avian conservation through research and education
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Avian Research Needs |
Research Needed in Avian Conservation
A quick look through the literature will yield a massive amount of information on many species of birds throughout the BirdCountry.US area. But if we were able to stand back and compare the knowledge that we have to the knowledge we are missing, we could easily see how vital research is to the conservation of birds and, indeed, all life on Earth. Here are a couple of examples (or, scroll down to the links below to view the research needs of other birds):
There has never been an in-depth study on a population of red-headed woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus), arguably the most recognizable of all North American woodpeckers. Because of this, we know virtually nothing about:
- daily vocalization patterns or their relationship to various behaviors;
- the size of summer territories or the spacing of these territories;
- the rates at which young are fed, nesting success;
- how many broods are raised annually;
- the size of hatchlings, whether parents assist in hatching, how the young leave the nest;
- dispersal of immatures or their survival rates;
- any significant causes of mortality.
Almost nothing is known about the migration and wintering habitat needs of broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus). This is reasonable, since they are only in our country during the nesting season. But there is a lot of information missing during this time of the year, as well. For instance, we know virtually nothing about:
- the size of their home range;
- fidelity to nest sites;
- the size of forest patches required for optimal or even successful reproduction;
- longevity or the lifetime reproductive success.
These two examples do not even approach the tip of the iceberg. So much work remains to be done in order for us to properly conserve these and hundreds of other species of birds. Over the coming months, BirdCountry.US will be adding to our database of research needs of North American birds. We will put sections of the database on this website as they are completed. Until then, if you would like information on a certain species not listed below, please email us with your specific request and we'll move that species to the head of the line and get the information back to you within 48 hours.
A recent report released by Partners in Flight, the North American Landbird Conservation Plan, goes into the monitoring needs of more that 200 species of birds in the U.S. The entire report can be downloaded free of charge by clicking here: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/pif/.
Research Needed on Selected Species
(PDF format - Adobe Acrobat Reader required)
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Birder's
Conservation Handbook -
100 North American Birds at Risk
Jeffrey V. Wells, Princeton University Press, paperback, 452 pages.
"... a gold mine of information on North America's rarest and most vulnerable birds."
- David Wilcove, Princeton University
Finally, a single resource that tells us the current status of our most endangered birds and, most importantly, what we as birders and conservationists can do to help protect these valuable resources. This is the latest addition to our bookshelves; it needs to be on yours as well. Just $35.00.
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