Birds and birding news
- The series of major hurricanes that swept through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico present a real hazard for wildlife, especially species that already had small or isolated populations. At least a few Barbuda Warblers survived their encounter with Hurricane Irma. One student in Puerto Rico protected 90 birds during Hurricane Maria. It is not clear how Puerto Rican Parrots fared, but the forests where they live were devastated.
- A recent update to the water treaty between the US and Mexico should provide sufficient water to restore the Colorado River's delta, home to many species of birds.
- Saltmarsh Sparrows are threatened mainly by nest predation and coastal flooding, which is expected to increase with climate change. While predation is more common at the southern end of its breeding range, flooding of nest sites occurs throughout its range.
- Black Rails, another species that depends on high marsh for nesting sites, are also threatened by sea level rise. An experiment at Blackwater NWR is trying to restore high marsh habitat for these and other coastal saltmarsh species.
- A study found that the New Caledonian Crow and Kea learn how to use objects as tools by playing with the objects beforehand.
- A survey of bird banding data from the northwest found declines in three species typical of coniferous forests.
- A study of Gentoo Penguin vocalizations found that calls differed from one colony to another, but without a clear pattern based on subspecies or geography.
- Many Neotropical parrot species are threatened by human activity, particularly capture for the pet trade and loss of natural habitat to development.
- The trade in live wild birds, including some endangered species, is a problem in Southeast Asia as well.
Science and nature blogging
Environment and biodiversity