CONSERVATION & RESEARCH UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL AVIARY

FALL 2016

ANIMAL PROGRAMS education One Northside: A Once in A Lifetime Experience! by Trisha O’Neill, Director of Education

After mist-netting and banding a Chipping Sparrow right there in the schoolyard, National Aviary Ornithologist Bob Mulvihill held the bird up to an awestruck group of 20 second-graders. They marveled at being so close to a wild bird, but one boy in the front was very mindful of where the bird belonged. He nervously said, “You should let it go,” to which Bob replied: “How about if you let it go?” The boy’s mouth dropped open in surprise, but his classmates cheered and encouraged him to step forward. Bob gently transferred the sparrow into the student’s waiting National Aviary hands, showing him the proper banders’ grip. The student held the bird for a few moments before releasing it toward the trees. As a final surprise, instead of heading toward the tree line, the Advances Husbandry sparrow looped back over the students’ heads to a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs!”

Protocols for the he National Aviary and Buhl over the course of a school year to help TFoundation, in partnership with them become more aware of the cultural Bridled White-eye Pittsburgh Public Schools, Propel Charter institutions within their own community. Kurt Hundgen, Director of Animal Collections School, Manchester Academic Charter At the same time, students participate in School, and the Education Committee of the unique academic programs designed to ne of the more challenging bird Northside Leadership Conference, launched enhance their classroom experience. Omanagement projects a staff can One Northside For Every Student during As a founding participant in One undertake is to develop captive breeding 2015-16 school year. This unique program Northside, the National Aviary is partnering husbandry protocols for a species that pairs students from Northside schools with second grade teachers and students has never bred in captivity before. Such is with various Northside organizations the case with the Bridled White-eye. This continued on page 7 unique species is part of the avifauna of the Northern Mariana Islands that currently is at risk because of an invasive species, the brown tree snake. Bridled White-eyes are a part of a captive On one school visit, Bob Mulvihill located a breeding program through the Marianas Northern Cardinal nest in a rhododendron bush. As Bob presented the students with a pink skinned Avifauna Conservation (MAC) project. This chick, beak agape, initial squeals of disgust turned initiative is a vital collaboration between to curious peeks, and eventually the entire class government and private organizations was gathered around the tiny bird huddled in Bob’s aimed at protecting bird populations in the hand. As Bob pointed out the importance of feeders region through conservation measures and and other habitat improvements, the students captive breeding. began to see with fresh eyes the green spaces The National Aviary began participating around them that are a critical part of the hidden in the MAC project in 2014. Our goal was lives of wild animals. Birds Prefer Dark (Shaded) Chocolate to help develop captive breeding protocols to establish a captive assurance population in the event that a reintroduction program is ever warranted. Based on their natural biology in the wild, we established a flock of four males continued on page 5 2

from the editor Birds, Energy, and the Environment

s our human population increases, our demand for energy also increases. Without question, Aaffordable and reliable sources of energy are needed by everybody. Energy drives our standard of living, underpins national and international economies, and has become central to recent national security debates. At the same time, few things have had a greater impact on birds and wildlife than our production and use of energy. Understanding the environmental impacts of The National Aviary inspires various types of energy development is critical for protecting the environment and human health. respect for nature through an appreciation of birds. The National Aviary’s conservation research scientists have been at the forefront in studying the impacts of energy development on birds. In this issue of Flightpaths we catch up with former Editor National Aviary researcher, Dr. Todd Katzner, who is using cutting-edge technology to better Steven Latta, Ph.D. understand how raptors, like the Golden Eagle, use wind currents during their migration through Director, Conservation and Field Research the Appalachian Mountains. The information he and his collaborators are learning has the potential [email protected] to greatly reduce collision risks through relatively small but precise adjustments in the placement Managing Editor of wind turbines. Robert Mulvihill, M.Sc. With decades-long studies of the stream-dependent Louisiana Waterthrush, National Ornithologist [email protected] Aviary Ornithologist, Robert Mulvihill, and I have addressed the impacts of acidified water on this obligate riparian species. When their streams are polluted by acid rain or acidic drainage Allegheny Commons West from abandoned coal mines, they become biologically much less diverse and productive, and Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248 waterthrushes are negatively affected. Degraded water quality in the upper reaches of watersheds 412-323-7235 has a large cumulative downstream effect, which means waterthrushes are like canaries in the coal mine, helping us to preserve the quality of a resource that is vital to human health and survival. More recently, we have used this indicator species to better understand possible risks to surface-flowing waters where hydraulic fracturing has occurred. We measured concentrations Printed on recycled paper. of two metals that are not harmful to humans, but can act as markers because they are elements FSC and post-consumer mark here that occur naturally and abundantly in the shale layer but are not common in surface waters. As highlighted in the Fall 2015 issue of Flightpaths, our studies show that these metals occurred at statistically significant higher levels in feathers of birds in sites with hydraulic fracturing activity than in sites without. The question of what pathway www.aviary.org these metals followed from the shale layers to enter the food chain was Follow us on Twitter: @National_Aviary not examined by the study. However our data suggest a recent origin. Facebook.com/NationalAviary Once again, we believe that this “canary in the coal mine” may give us clues to changes in our environment. Although there are no easy solutions to meeting the world’s energy demands, scientifically valid data are a critical part of the equation. Our role as conservation biologists is to strive to fill data voids with solid research and to share our statistically supported conclusions. Informed, objective decisions are the backbone of our democratic institutions, and we are proud to be able to contribute to decision-making processes with our applied conservation research program at the National Aviary.

Steven Latta, Ph.D. Director, Conservation and Field Research FALL 2016 | 3

recent publications A Bird’s Feathers Reveal Its Fate Steven Latta

igratory birds, many of which Although theoretically possible, there is a carry-over effect from the Mhave declining populations, face carry-over effects related to occurrences in breeding grounds to the wintering grounds unique challenges throughout the annual the breeding season on winter condition that even extends beyond the winter cycle that can affect both survival and and survival have been little studied. We season, affecting annual return rates. reproductive success. Migrant bird studied this question for the Louisiana Ours is one of very few studies that populations may be limited by conditions Waterthrush using a unique approach have used feather CORT to determine if on the breeding and wintering grounds involving hormones and feathers. events in the breeding season may have or those experienced during migrations. The waterthrush is a wood warbler latent effects on the subsequent overwinter But, we have also learned that experiences that lives along small, forested streams period or on annual survival. Studies in one season can have so-called “carry- where individual birds compete for high like this are of particular interest for over effects” in another season. Carry-over quality territories on both the breeding- building models of population limitation effects can be thought of as a domino and wintering-grounds. We used the of migratory birds and, ultimately, in effect, or a delayed reaction, where amount of a stress hormone known as crafting conservation plans for declining occurrences in one season may have corticosterone occurring in the feathers populations of migratory birds. an effect on a bird’s condition that are as a measure of the physiological state of Editor’s Note: Carry-over effects manifested in a later season in terms of waterthrushes at the end of the breeding reduced survival or reproductive success. provide linkages across the annual cycle of season, because that is when their a Neotropical migratory bird, the Louisiana Carry-over effects have most often feathers are grown. We found that birds Waterthrush Parkesia motacilla. Ibis 158: been shown to operate in one direction, arriving on wintering grounds with lower 395-406. 2016. S.C. Latta, S. Cabezas, D.A. from the wintering grounds to the corticosterone (CORT) scores — scores Mejia, M.M. Paulino, H. Almonte, C.M. breeding grounds. For example, in the indicating less physiological and energy Miller-Butterworth, and G.R. Bortolotti. n American Redstart, our colleague at stress — occupied higher quality winter the Smithsonian, Dr. Peter Marra, and territories and achieved better body his associates have learned that habitat condition during the over-winter period. quality affects the body condition of Body condition, in turn, was important individuals, such that birds which over- in determining whether adult birds winter in low-quality dry scrub habitats returned to the wintering grounds in the Caribbean arrive on their New in the subsequent year, with England breeding grounds later in the birds in better condition spring, occupy lower quality breeding returning at greater rates. territories, and produce fewer young. Together these data suggest

Adult Male 6

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A ground-breaking study, led by National Aviary research director, Steven Latta, used naturally occurring hormone levels 0 in feathers of a migratory bird to reveal that energy stress during cm Louisiana Waterthrush Tail Feathers the breeding season has significant “carry-over” effects: stressed birds occupied lower quality winter territories, had poorer body Source: [email protected] condition, and experienced reduced annual survival. 4

HUMAN POPULATION IMPACTS Catching Up with Golden Eagles by Todd Katzner

Editor’s Note: The author, former Director remote ridgetop sites — of the Department of Conservation and Field coupled with motion Research at the National Aviary, now works sensitive trail cameras for the U.S. Geological Survey in Boise, Idaho. to help us determine when and where we rom a ridgetop in the Appalachians of should concentrate our Fcentral Pennsylvania, my heart raced eagle-catching efforts. as I watched the huge soaring raptor with We quickly honed our broad, uplifted wings and a tawny head and techniques, and in the neck – a migrating Golden Eagle! Until very past ten years have A Golden Eagle is recorded recently the status of eastern Golden Eagles successfully trapped, tagged, and using a motion-sensitive trail was virtually unknown. tracked about 80 eagles using novel camera mounted next to a I began studies of this iconic bird in GPS-transmitters that incorporate deer carcass; a Golden Eagle documenting the 2005, when I was with the National Aviary. cell phone technology. is about to be released with a distribution and I collaborated with experts at Carnegie GPS tracking unit on its back. In a series of peer-reviewed abundance of many Museum, including Bob Mulvihill, who now scientific papers we have shown that the secretive scavengers. Thanks to hundreds works at the National Aviary. We realized that species uses the ridges in very predictable of volunteers who deployed our cameras at although eagles were regularly counted at ways. When winds are strong, they fly at lower bait stations from Maine to Louisiana, we Pennsylvania hawk watches, nobody knew altitude and use deflected air currents, called documented wintering Golden Eagles in how they traveled or where they wintered. We orographic lift; when winds are weaker they every Appalachian state. But, the cameras also realized that a burgeoning wind energy use rising warm air thermals and higher flight also spied scavenging Bald Eagles, Red-tailed industry might lead to conflicts with this and altitudes. Importantly, the information we’ve and Red-shouldered Hawks, Barred and other raptors using Appalachian ridges, where learned is so precise it can be used to site wind Great Horned Owls, Red and Gray foxes, large turbine arrays, called wind farms, were turbines in a way that significantly reduces the Striped and Spotted skunks, not to mention being planned and constructed at a fast pace. risk they pose to migrating eagles and other coyotes and ravens and bears (Oh my!). I Clearly, research into the migration of this raptors, which was our goal from the very have now set up a winter scavenger study iconic species was needed. The first step was beginning. in Idaho using the same camera trapping to catch eagles. To do this my team employed What started as a means for catching techniques perfected in Pennsylvania while bait stations — deer carcasses dropped at eagles serendipitously resulted in our I was at the National Aviary. n

C limate Change: A Hot Topic for Pitt Students by Dr. Edward McCord, Director of Programming and Special Projects, University of Pittsburgh Honors College

n 2013 the University of Pittsburgh Honors and NASA’s Goddard Space Lab hydrologist, but according to the Dean of the Honors ICollege inaugurated a Climate Change Matthew Rodell. College, Edward Stricker: Lecture Series designed to inform students In March we welcomed the series’ “The profound and multidisciplinary and help prepare them for the future. eighth lecture courtesy of Donald Burke, character of climate change is uniquely well- The reach of the series rapidly expanded Dean of the Graduate School of Public suited to our programming [and] we regard to audiences beyond the Pitt campus, thanks Health. Dr. Burke contacted his eminent this matter to be so serious that everyone, and to the generous promotional support of other colleague, Dr. Jonathan Patz, Director especially students, should understand the institutions including the National Aviary. of the Global Health Institute at the basic science at issue and the various response Inspired by such support, Pitt’s Honors University of Wisconsin, with an invitation options that exist.This includes appreciating College has run seven programs since the to speak. Among many distinctions, the challenges we face in shifting to alternative series began. Our program has included Dr. Patz served as a lead author for the energy sources, in reducing energy consumption, eminent speakers such as blogger and United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel in managing vested interests and politics, and in physicist, Joe Romm; climate scientist, Ray on Climate Change — the organization motivating the public amid doomsday scenarios.” Bradley; economist, James Boyce; New York that shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize The campus-wide, multidisciplinary orbit Times energy and environment correspondent, with Al Gore. of the University of Pittsburgh Honors College Coral Davenport; oceanographer, Kim Cobb; The Honors College does not lightly has proven ideal for tackling big questions and energy systems expert, Paulina Jaramillo; undertake such an educational program, big challenges like climate change. n FALL 2016 | 5

Partnering for Conservation Avian Conservation Efforts in SW PA Recognized Nationally by Matt Webb, Urban Bird Conservation Coordinator, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

irdSafe Pittsburgh was created in the process, cities not only become better Bspring of 2013 as a partnership between sanctuaries for birds and other wildlife, the American Bird Conservancy and several they also gain an enhanced quality of life local organizations, including the National for their human residents and visitors. Aviary, to research and address the issue This new Pittsburgh-centered of bird-window collisions throughout the partnership has been formalized as the Pittsburgh region. Over the past two years, Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance BirdSafe Pittsburgh volunteers have saved (ABCA), encompassing collaborative some 150 birds that had suffered a collision work done anywhere in southwestern with a window, taking them to the Animal Birds. The Urban Bird Treaty program is Pennsylvania to help conserve birds and Rescue League’s Wildlife Center in Verona a unique, collaborative effort between the their habitats. ABCA partners currently to be rehabbed and released. Volunteers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and some include the American Bird Conservancy, have also documented several hundred twenty participating U.S. cities that brings the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, dead birds, and these have been deposited together private citizens, federal, state, and the National Aviary, the Audubon Society into the scientific collections of Carnegie local governments, and non-governmental of Western Pennsylvania, the Animal Museum of Natural History for future organizations in a common cause. Partners Rescue League, the Western Pennsylvania research and education. agree to work toward conserving migratory Conservancy, the Green Building Alliance, In 2015, this growing multi- birds through education, hazard reduction, and the Allegheny Land Trust. Look for organizational partnership resulted in citizen science, conservation action, many ABCA projects to be launched in Pittsburgh being recognized via the federal and habitat improvement in urban and Pittsburgh and surrounding areas in the Urban Conservation Treaty for Migratory surrounding suburban landscapes. In the years to come! n

Bridled White-eye continued from page 1 and two females in our off-exhibit breeding in captivity. We also learned that pairs center. By providing the females more males will build several nests before egg-laying to potentially pair with, a more natural pair- and will reuse nests of other pairs. This bonding process was fostered. information was compiled and recently Trying to establish breeding protocols shared with other AZA-accredited facilities for a species that has never bred in captivity working with this species. We hope that has to be approached systemically; you next nesting season, the information we’ve have to sometimes first figure out the wrong gained will enable us to set the stage for management protocols in order to figure out successful nesting of this species in captivity the right ones. For example, when we first for the first time set up these birds in our breeding center, we Footnote: In 2016, the National Aviary is again noticed their natural behaviors seemed to be working in the field with ongoing conservation affected by our presence. Because knowing efforts for the Marianas avifauna. Staff traveled bird behaviors is crucial in developing any to the Mariana Islands to assist in the field breeding protocols, we purchased motion- capture and translocation of 50 Bridled sensitive cameras that enabled us to observe White-eyes and 50 Tinian Monarchs from the the birds remotely. island of Tinian to the island of Guguan. n Both females successfully pair-bonded, and together they produced a total of seven National Aviary Senior Aviculturist, two-egg clutches. Although no offspring Travis Henderson, fills a bin with bugs, resulted, we were able to document worms and nesting material so the courtship, nest building, incubation and Bridled White-eyes are able to practice pre-copulatory behaviors for the first time natural foraging behaviors. 6

Students, field associates, and research associates From Fish to Birds: A Student’s Journey by Brandon Hoenig, Field Associate

ver since I was young I have had a great water quality on the aquatic prey utilized Einterest in animals, specifically in the by riparian songbirds. influences that their surroundings may In my collaboration with Dr. Latta have on their ability to be successful. As and Dr. Porter, we have begun developing a boy who grew up on the Ohio River in a project that attempts to understand Western Pennsylvania, my initial interests potential carry-over effects (i.e., conditions were highly focused on river-inhabiting fish experienced by a bird in one season that species. Subsequently, the opportunities I’ve have a measurable effect on that bird in a had to work with Dr. Latta at the National different season) on Louisiana Waterthrush Aviary have broadened my interests (Parkesia motacilla) by analyzing stress and given me the desire to advance my hormone levels in these birds. Our study understanding of avian ecology. looks to better understand how wintering As a member of Dr. Brady Porter’s ground habitat may influence habitat research lab at Duquesne University, I selection on the breeding grounds [a test have had many incredible opportunities of predictions stemming from Dr. Latta’s to study different species of songbirds and recent publication (see p. 3)]. I hope the various factors that influence their that this project will be a step toward my ecology. These opportunities have allowed goal of becoming an academic researcher me to work at Carnegie Museum of Natural and, at the same time, help improve our History’s Powdermill Nature Reserve in understanding of a stream-dwelling avian southwestern Pennsylvania on a project to species and increase awareness of migratory better understand the impacts of stream bird conservation. n The author (left) is pictured in the field with research associate Brian Trevelline.

Piecing Together the Annual Cycle of a Songbird by Nathan Brouwer, Research Associate

ocumenting increases and declines the nest, surviving to independence, estimating population change over time. Din bird populations is fairly preparing for migration, migrating to the This, in turn, can help us to determine, for straightforward; much more challenging Gulf Coast, crossing the Gulf of Mexico to example, if the waterthrush populations is to understand the factors underlying the Caribbean, successfully over-wintering are affected more by events on the breeding those changes. Especially in the case of in the tropics, reversing the journey in the and wintering grounds, or during population declines, we need to know spring, finding a nesting territory and migration between the two. the drivers of population change before a mate, building a nest and caring for Nathan Brouwer recently we can develop an effective and efficient eggs and young, molting, preparing completed his Ph.D. in conservation strategy. Collaborating with for migration, etc. Factors affecting Ecology at the University of the Department of Conservation and Field a bird’s condition and survival Pittsburgh, where he studied Research at the National Aviary, I am using during any of these stages could the impacts of invasive species statistical techniques, mathematical models, theoretically be important drivers of and deer on woodland plants and computer simulations to synthesize a waterthrush population dynamics. with Dr. Susan Kalisz. n wealth of demographic data on a migratory For each of these stages bird, the Louisiana Waterthrush, data which I am using available field data Dr. Steven Latta and colleagues have and published information to collected on the breeding and wintering determine probabilities of grounds of the species. success or survival. I will Like all migratory songbirds, the combine these into life cycle of a waterthrush has many a mathematical components: for example, fledging from framework for FALL 2016 | 7

AVIAN MEDICINE T raining the Next Generation of Vet Students Dr. Pilar Fish, DVM, Director of Veterinary Medicine

tudents who want to become The National Aviary S avian veterinarians and veterinary teaches an average technicians can have challenges finding of 45 students a year opportunities to train in wildlife and zoo in both the teaching medicine. The National Aviary offers a hospital program and unique educational program in which through a long-term pre-professional students work side-by- mentorship program. side with the veterinary staff in a teaching The mentorship program hospital. The National Aviary provides offers students intensive high-level health care for its collection one-on-one training of more than 500 birds representing 150 on how to become a different species. This diversity gives veterinarian including students the opportunity to work with career counseling, a wide variety of species such as African preparation for veterinary Penguins, Andean Condors, Guam Rails, school interviews, editing Eurasian Eagle-Owls, and American publications for journals, More than 40 students per year receive hands-on, practical Flamingos, in addition to birds as small and presenting lectures at experience and guidance working alongside Dr. Fish in the National as finches. conferences. This program Aviary’s Avian Hospital. The National Aviary has created a has been instrumental in special learning atmosphere in which helping young professionals acquire the blood samples, and administer treatments students are immersed in all aspects of experience and guidance they need to on wild birds such as macaws, toucans, an avian hospital, including performing become full-fledged veterinarians. eagles, owls, and even an Andean Condor. physical exams, taking x-rays, collecting test Students interested in wildlife Exposure to real-life medical situations is samples, filling prescriptions, changing medicine can participate in an an essential step in learning the necessary bandages, administering treatments international program at a partnering skills to become an avian veterinarian. and vaccinations, and even observing wildlife center in Ecuador. This year The results of our specialized surgery. In addition to hands-on learning four veterinary students that initially educational programs are far-reaching as of practical veterinary skills, the program trained at the National Aviary traveled we train and mentor the next generation also provides a structured academic with me to Bioparque Amaru in Cuenca, of avian vets to care for birds in zoos and component with lectures, case assignments, Ecuador. There they learned how to wildlife centers throughout the U.S. and interactive medical rounds. perform physical examinations, collect and internationally. n

One Northside: A Once in a Lifetime Experience! continued from page 1 from seven Northside elementary schools The pilot program provided the the program engages the public in their to bring science to life in their schools. National Aviary with an opportunity own backyards with bird counts, bird Through live bird programming in the to creatively connect our conservation conservation, and up close observations classroom, visits to the National Aviary, and field research efforts with our of native birds. Several of the participating and wild bird studies on the school school programming. Since 2013, school campuses provided good settings for grounds, students explore the science and our ornithologist, Bob Mulvihill, has demonstrating Neighborhood Nestwatch, conservation of birds from across the globe coordinated Neighborhood Nestwatch in and we decided to engage the students in and in their own schoolyard. For many of the Pittsburgh area, in collaboration with some basic field science activities. What them, the program offers their very first the Smithsonian Institution. A dynamic resulted were some truly dynamic and experience with live animals and research program focused on determining impactful connections between children and the outdoors. the impact of urbanization and the density nature — once in a lifetime experiences that of human populations on bird populations, we hope they never forget! n NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE CONSERVATION & RESEARCH UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL AVIARY PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 3316

National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Inc. Allegheny Commons West 700 Arch St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248

In this issue: • One Northside: A Once in a Lifetime Experience! • A Bird’s Feathers Reveal Its Fate • Catching Up with Golden Eagles • Climate Change — A Hot Topic for Pitt Community • Advanced Husbandry Protocols for the Bridled White-eye • From Fish to Birds: A Student’s Journey • Piecing Together the Annual Cycle of a Songbird • Training the Next Generation of Vet Students

National Aviary

Opening Soirée & Benefit Auction November 4

Public Art Show Birds Prefer Dark (Shaded) Chocolate & Marketplace Groves of cacao, the tree whose seed pods are the source of chocolate, can be very good habitat for birds, but only if they are managed properly. Working with partners from the November 5-6 Grupo Acción Ecológica in the Dominican Republic, the National Aviary has helped create the first Bird Safe Cacao campaign, promoting farming practices that are more beneficial to birds, including endemic species, like those shown above, as well as scores of North www.aviary.org/artshow American migrants. These posters, created by the artist Gabriel Willow, are being used as an educational tool in cacao-growing communities throughout the country.