FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] BirdKY: Audubon and ABC WatchList 2007

["Smith, Brian W (FW)" <BrianW.Smith@xxxxxx>]

Audubon and American Bird Conservancy collaborated on the development of
"who's who" list of birds in the most dire need for immediate
conservation.  The list was released yesterday.  I have pasted the press
release below.

Sincerely,

Brian W. Smith
Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Coordinator
American Bird Conservancy
3761 Georgetown Road
Frankfort, KY  40601
Reply to: bsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxx or brianw.smith@xxxxxx
Phone: 502-573-0330, ext. 227
Fax: 502-573-0335
Visit: www.abcbirds.org


MORE THAN ONE-QUARTER OF UNITED STATES BIRDS NEED URGENT CONSERVATION
ACTION

WatchList 2007 Identifies Species at Greatest Risk

Washington, D.C. November 28, 2007 - One hundred seventy-eight species
in the continental U.S. and 39 in Hawaii have the dubious distinction of
landing on the newest and most scientifically sound list of America's
most imperiled birds. WatchList 2007, a joint effort of Audubon and
American Bird Conservancy, reflects a comprehensive analysis of
population size and trends, distribution, and threats for 700 bird
species in the U.S. It reveals those in greatest need of immediate
conservation help simply to survive amid a convergence of environmental
challenges, including habitat loss, invasive species and global warming.

"We call this a 'WatchList' but it is really a call to action, because
the alternative is to watch these species slip ever closer to oblivion,"
said Audubon Bird Conservation Director and co-author of the new list,
Greg Butcher. "Agreeing on which species are at the greatest risk is the
first step in building the public policies, funding support, innovative
conservation initiatives and public commitment needed to save them." 

The new Audubon/American Bird Conservancy WatchList identifies 59
continental and 39 Hawaiian "red list" species of greatest concern, and
119 more in the "yellow" category of seriously declining or rare
species. It is based on the latest available research and assessment
from the bird conservation community along with data from the Christmas
Bird Count and the annual Breeding Bird Survey. The data were analyzed
and weighted according to methods developed through extensive peer
review and revision, yielding an improved assessment of actual peril
that can be used to determine bird conservation priorities and funding. 

"Adoption of this list as the 'industry standard' will help to ensure
that conservation resources are allocated to the most important
conservation needs," said David Pashley, American Bird Conservancy's
Director of Conservation Programs and co-author of the new list. "How
quickly and effectively we act to protect and support the species on
this list will determine their future; where we've taken aggressive
action, we've seen improvement."

Despite ongoing challenges and their continued place on the list, the
status of some WatchList species is improving, according to the new
data, as broader awareness of their plight has spawned effective
conservation action. Several species have benefited from federal
protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and now show
stabilizing, or even increasing populations. Lacking an ESA designation
or the political support needed to secure strong protective measures,
others continue to decline. 

"Habitat loss due to development, energy exploration and extraction, and
the impact of global warming remain serious threats for the most
imperiled species, along with others on both the red and yellow lists,"
said Pashley. "Concerted action will be needed to address these
threats."

Listed species may seem unfamiliar to many Americans. Unlike those on
Audubon's recent survey of Common Birds in Decline, the species on
WatchList are often rare and limited in range. In combination with
population declines and new threats, these factors make many of them
acutely vulnerable to extinction. 
Among the most imperiled species on the list that regularly breed in the
continental U.S. are: 

Gunnison Sage-Grouse (not on the ESA list) 
This species is restricted to Southwest Colorado and adjacent Utah.
Drought, which is predicted to get worse with increased global warming,
is among the factors that have reduced the Gunnison Sage-Grouse
population to fewer than 5,000; habitat loss and fragmentation and
excessive grazing are other threats. Protection and restoration of
contiguous tracts of good habitat is critical. 

Lesser Prairie-Chicken (not on the ESA list)
Habitat loss and degradation have restricted this species to a number of
isolated populations, many of which are on private lands in Kansas,
Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Small population size,
changing habitat resulting from drought, and climate change threaten
continued survival. 

California Condor (protected by the ESA)
Once reduced to nine individual wild birds, this raptor is slowly
recovering, thanks to captive breeding and the release of individuals in
California and Arizona. There are now 305 individuals, including 148
free-flying birds. Lead bullets are a critical threat to long-term
survival, as fragments poison wild condors that eat the remains of
hunters' kills. Audubon California and American Bird Conservancy have
spearheaded recent passage of legislation eliminating lead bullets in
the range of the condor in that state. 

Whooping Crane (protected by the ESA)
Unregulated shooting and loss of habitat reduced this species to fewer
than 20 individuals around the turn of the 20th Century. Implementation
of a recovery plan developed under the Endangered Species Act has
resulted in more than a 1000% increase in population to over 200
individuals, and has spawned efforts to establish additional wild
breeding populations. 

Piping Plover (protected by the ESA)
Protection of this shorebird's beachfront nesting grounds is helping to
improve the outlook for this species. Human development along beaches,
increased beach recreation, disturbance by pets, and increased predation
require constant vigilance. Intensive conservation efforts supported by
the Endangered Species Act have helped stabilize populations and allowed
populations to increase in some regions of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.


Black-capped Vireo (protected by the ESA)
Suburban development, agricultural conversion, and fire suppression in
Texas and Oklahoma have decreased available breeding habitat, reducing
both the range and population size of this species. Increased predation
near human development has further decreased populations, as has
parasitism from Brown-headed Cowbirds, which lay their eggs in
Black-capped Vireo nests, out-competing the vireo chicks. Innovative
conservation efforts on public and private lands seem to be helping some
populations recover. 

Florida Scrub-Jay (protected by the ESA)
Suburban-exurban sprawl and agricultural development have reduced
habitat dramatically and isolated many populations. Maintaining natural
wildfire regimes will be critical. Although ESA status has increased
conservation efforts for this species, it has not been enough to stop
loss of habitat.

Golden-cheeked Warbler (protected by the ESA) 
Breeding is restricted to the Edwards Plateau in Texas, where suburban
sprawl and habitat destruction has greatly reduced population size.
Winter habitat loss in southern Mexico and Central America may also be
affecting populations. Innovative conservation strategies that protect
and restore habitat in both the breeding and wintering grounds are
underway and needed.

Kirtland's Warbler (protected by the ESA)
Dependent on jack pine habitat in northern Michigan, this warbler
species has increased more than 600% since the mid-1980s because of
management plans implemented under the Endangered Species Act. Singing
male counts in the spring have increased from 200 to almost 1,400 (and
some singing males are now found in Wisconsin and Ontario). Wild land
fire management, control of the parasitic Brown-headed Cowbird, and
protection of wintering habitat in the Bahamas remain essential to
long-term survival. 

Ashy Storm-Petrel (not on the ESA list)
Breeding populations are restricted to islands off the west coast of
North America. Non-native nest predators and increased gull populations
threaten breeding birds, and ocean pollution and overfishing threaten
feeding birds. 

Kittlitz Murrelet (not on the ESA list)
Breeding and feeding habitat seems to be linked to Alaska's tidewater
glaciers, making this species very susceptible to climate change. Oil
spills, coastal pollution, and increased disturbance also threaten this
species. 

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (protected by ESA)
Habitat loss from logging in the Southeast's long-leaf pine forests and
suburban and agricultural development have isolated populations and
greatly reduced overall population size. Protection strategies developed
through the Endangered Species Act are helping populations in many
places, but restoration of open long-leaf pine forest is desperately
needed. 

Spectacled Eider (protected by ESA)
Ingestion of lead shot is believed to be a major problem for this
species, along with an increase in nest predation by foxes, mink, gulls,
and jaegers in a warming Arctic. In addition, changing sea conditions in
winter are affecting the distribution of clams - a preferred winter
food. Proposed oil development poses an additional and very significant
threat.

Reddish Egret (not on the ESA list)
This species forages along the Gulf Coast and is subject to human
disturbance at beaches and at nesting sites. It is dependent on high
quality coastal habitat for its food. Human coastal development and
decreasing water quality are serious threats.

Black Rail (not on the ESA list)
This species makes its home in shallow, grassy wetlands along the
Atlantic Coast, San Francisco Bay, southern Great Plains and the Lower
Colorado River, habitat that is vulnerable to human conversion to other
uses, including agriculture or other development. A secretive bird, it
needs further study to increase understanding of its natural history,
ecological role and conservation needs.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (not on the ESA list) 
Traveling each fall from Alaska to Argentina, this species is one of our
champion long-distance migrants. Along the way, it faces a great variety
of threats, from oil development on its Arctic breeding grounds to
grassland conversion to soybean fields on its Argentinean wintering
grounds. It needs protected grassy stopover sites all along its
migration route.

Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow (not on the ESA list)
This tiny bird is restricted to a narrow band of saltmarsh along the
Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It is threatened on one side by human coastal
developments and on the other by rising sea levels. With even one foot
of sea-level rise from global warming, this species will need a lot of
help to maintain sufficient habitat for its survival.

Tricolored Blackbird (not on the ESA list)
A highly social species, this bird is found in freshwater wetlands in
the Pacific states, mainly California. With loss of this habitat, this
species increasingly relies on agricultural fields for nesting, leaving
chicks vulnerable to the harvest of hay and other crops. Audubon
California and other conservationists are working with farmers to
maintain agricultural nesting habitat long enough each season to allow
the blackbirds to successfully raise their young - potentially spelling
the difference between survival and extinction for this highly
specialized bird.

Yellow Rail (not on the ESA list)
Rails are small, secretive birds that winter in wetlands along the Gulf
and Atlantic Coasts. This species prefers to breed in wet grasslands
across Canada and the northern tier of states from Minnesota to Maine.
These grasslands are easily converted to other uses, so protection of
high-quality habitat will be essential for this migratory birds'
survival.

Xantus' Murrelet (not on the ESA list)
This tiny seabird nests on islands off southern California.
Conservationists are tackling the major threat on the nesting grounds -
non-native predators like rats and mice. Global warming seems to wreak
havoc with the water circulation and availability of food sources in the
ocean, causing shortages for this and other coastal seabirds.

Conservation action is also needed beyond the mainland. Hawaii has the
highest proportion of native species in peril, primarily because of the
state's small land area and wide variety of introduced invasive animal
and plant species. In addition, the Hawaiian Islands are particularly
vulnerable to global warming. Hawaiian species facing the greatest
threats are highlighted in a special section of WatchList.

The combined WatchLists show that imperiled birds - whether on the U.S.
mainland or in Hawaii - are vulnerable to many of the same environmental
threats, including global warming, habitat loss, pollution, and
non-native invasive species. Aggressive conservation action to address
these challenges is essential to their survival.

"Everyone, from conservation groups to policy-makers and birdwatchers,
needs to take a hard look at these lists and use them to inform and hone
our conservation approaches and funding priorities while there's still
time," says Butcher. "It's astounding that several are so close to the
edge but haven't even received Endangered Species Act protection-this
list is a reminder that we need to act and act now." 

"The WatchList sounds a real warning, but fortunately, when we put our
minds and laws to it, as we did with the Bald Eagle, Whooping Crane and
California Condor, we can make a difference," said Pashley.

For press resources visit www.audubon.org/news/pressroom/WatchList2007/,
for high resolution photos visit www.abcbirds.org/watchlist.htm, and for
b-roll visit http://www.saveourbirds.org/broll.htm or contact Steve
Holmer, 202/234-7181, sholmer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

Now in its second century, Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and
other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network
of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and
educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining
important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and
backgrounds in conservation. www.audubon.org <http://www.audubon.org/> .

American Bird Conservancy <http://www.abcbirds.org/>  (ABC) works to
conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas.
ABC acts to safeguard the rarest bird species, restore habitats, and
reduce threats, while building capacity in the conservation movement.
ABC is a membership organization that is consistently awarded a top,
four-star rating by the independent group, Charity Navigator.   

WatchList 2007 

Red List:
Continental United States

Mottled Duck
Steller's Eider (Threatened)
Spectacled Eider (Threatened) 
Gunnison Sage-Grouse
Sooty Grouse 
Greater Prairie-Chicken ("Attwater's" ssp. Endangered)
Lesser Prairie-Chicken
Laysan Albatross
Black-footed Albatross 
Short-tailed Albatross (Endangered)
Bermuda Petrel (Endangered)
Black-capped Petrel
Pink-footed Shearwater
Black-vented Shearwater 
Ashy Storm-Petrel
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel
Black Storm-Petrel
Least Storm-Petrel
Magnificent Frigatebird
Reddish Egret
California Condor (Endangered)
Yellow Rail
Black Rail
Whooping Crane (Endangered)
Piping Plover (Endangered)
Mountain Plover
Eskimo Curlew (Endangered)
Rock Sandpiper
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Ivory Gull
Least Tern ("California" & "Interior" ssp. Endangered)
Kittlitz's Murrelet 
Xantus's Murrelet
Craveri's Murrelet
White-crowned Pigeon
Green Parakeet 
Thick-billed Parrot 
Red-crowned Parrot 
Spotted Owl (N., MX ssp.Threatened)
Lewis's Woodpecker
Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Endangered)
Gilded Flicker 
Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Endangered)
Bell's Vireo ("Least" ssp. Endangered)
Black-capped Vireo (Endangered)
Florida Scrub-Jay (Endangered)
Bicknell's Thrush
Bendire's Thrasher
Bachman's Warbler (Endangered)
Golden-winged Warbler
Golden-cheeked Warbler (Endangered)
Kirtland's Warbler (Endangered)
Bachman's Sparrow
Black-chinned Sparrow
Baird's Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Seaside Sparrow ("Cape Sable" ssp. Endangered)
Tricolored Blackbird

Red List - Hawaii

Hawaiian Duck
Hawaiian Goose
Laysan Duck
Laysan Albatross *
Black-footed Albatross * 
Short-tailed Albatross *
Newell's Shearwater
Hawaiian Petrel 
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel *
Tristram's Storm-Petrel
Hawaiian Hawk 
Hawaiian Coot
Hawaiian Crow ('alala) 
Elepaio
Millerbird
Kamao
Olomao
Omao 
Pauiohi
Laysan Finch
Nihoa Finch
Ou
Palila
Maui Parrotbill
Oahu Amakihi
Kauai Amakihi
Anianiau
Nukupuu
Akiapolaau
Akikiki
Hawaii Creeper
Oahu Alauahio
Maui Alauahio
Akekee
Akepa
Iiwi
Akohekohe
Poouli 
* also on continental lists

Yellow List:

Emperor Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Greater Sage-Grouse
Mountain Quail
Scaled Quail 
Montezuma Quail
Yellow-billed Loon
Clark's Grebe
Cory's Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Buller's Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater 
Manx Shearwater 
Audubon's Shearwater
Masked Booby
Red-faced Cormorant
Swallow-tailed Kite
Swainson's Hawk
Clapper Rail
King Rail
American Golden-Plover
Snowy Plover ("Western" ssp. Threatened) 
Wilson's Plover
Wandering Tattler
Bristle-thighed Curlew
Long-billed Curlew
Hudsonian Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Marbled Godwit
Black Turnstone
Surfbird
Red Knot
Sanderling
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
White-rumped Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Heermann's Gull
Thayer's Gull
Icelandic Gull 
Yellow-footed Gull 
Red-legged Kittiwake
Ross's Gull
Gull-billed Tern
Elegant Tern
Roseate Tern (NE pops. Endangered, remainder Threatened)
Aleutian Tern 
Bridled Tern
Black Skimmer
Razorbill
Marbled Murrelet (WA, OR, & CA pops. Threatened)
Ancient Murrelet
Whiskered Auklet
Mangrove Cuckoo
Flammulated Owl
Elf Owl
Short-eared Owl
Antillean Nighthawk
Black Swift
Blue-throated Hummingbird
Costa's Hummingbird
Calliope Hummingbird
Allen's Hummingbird
Elegant Trogon
Red-headed Woodpecker
Williamson's Sapsucker
Nuttall's Woodpecker
Arizona Woodpecker
White-headed Woodpecker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Willow Flycatcher (SW ssp. Endangered)
Thick-billed Kingbird
Gray Vireo
Island Scrub-Jay
Pinyon Jay
Yellow-billed Magpie
Mexican Chickadee
Oak Titmouse
California Gnatcatcher (Threatened)
Wood Thrush
Varied Thrush 
Wrentit
California Thrasher
Leconte's Thrasher
Sprague's Pipit
Blue-winged Warbler
Virginia's Warbler
Colima Warbler
Lucy's Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
Hermit Warbler
Grace's Warbler
Prairie Warbler
Cerulean Warbler
Prothonotary Warbler
Swainson's Warbler
Kentucky Warbler
Canada Warbler
Red-faced Warbler
Abert's Towhee
Rufous-winged Sparrow
Five-striped Sparrow
Brewer's Sparrow
Sage Sparrow
Lark Bunting
Le Conte's Sparrow
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Smith's Longspur
Chestnut-collared Longspur
McKay's Bunting
Varied Bunting
Painted Bunting
Rusty Blackbird
Audubon's Oriole
Black Rosy-Finch
Brown-capped Rosy-Finch
Lawrence's Goldfinch 


Brian W. Smith, Ph.D.
Certified Wildlife Biologist
Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Coordinator
American Bird Conservancy
3761 Georgetown Road
Frankfort, KY  40601

Reply to: bsmith@xxxxxxxxxxxx or brianw.smith@xxxxxx
Phone: 502-573-0330, ext. 227
Fax: 502-573-0335
Visit: www.abcbirds.org

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