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Book Of ABstrActs 129th Stated Meeting of the AmericAn OrnithOlOgists’ UniOn 24-29 July, 2011 hyatt Regency JackSonville RiveRfRont JackSonville, floRida, uSa Co-hosted by the University of Florida and the Florida Ornithological Society. Contents Meeting abstracts .....................................................1-49 author index ...........................................................50-53 Jacksonville, florida american ornithologists’ union Abernathy, V. E., Western Illinois University, USA, [email protected]; Peer, Amidon, F. A., USFWS, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, USA, fred_ami- B. D., Western Illinois University, USA, [email protected] [email protected]; Marshall, A. P., USFWS, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, MECHANISMS OF EGG RECOGNITION IN BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD USA, [email protected]; Camp, R. J., University of Hawaii, Cooperative HOSTS: THE ROLE OF ULTRAVIOLET REFLECTANCE Studies Unit, USA, [email protected]; Gorresen, M., University of Hawaii, Cooperative Studies Unit, USA, [email protected] The most effective adaptation against Brown-headed CowbirdMolothrus ater parasitism is rejection of the cowbird egg, yet relatively few hosts reject cowbird SURVEYING FOR MICRONESIAN MEGAPODES USING A MULTIPLE eggs. Studies have demonstrated that ultraviolet reflectance of eggs plays a role in METHOD APPROACH egg rejection by hosts of the parasitic cuckoos, but the effects of ultraviolet light The status of the endangered Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse) on rejection by cowbird hosts has largely been ignored. We measured the ultravio- in the Mariana archipelago was largely unknown due to the logistical and let reflectance of the eggs of three rejecter species including the Brown Thrasher methodological constraints of surveying for rare species on remote islands. Toxostoma rufum, American Robin Turdus migratorius, and Gray Catbird Du- Here we report on 2010 surveys of seven islands which utilized a combination of metella carolinensis. We also experimentally blocked the reflectance of ultraviolet point-transect, point-transect with playback, and occupancy sampling techniques. light of one host egg in the clutches of these three rejecter species to determine Sufficient megapode detections were recorded for four islands to estimate whether they utilize ultraviolet light when rejecting eggs. We found that Brown populations with traditional point-transect techniques, whereas estimates were Thrasher eggs reflected significantly more ultraviolet light than both American derived for two islands utilizing a point-transect with playback technique which Robin and Gray Catbird eggs. Brown Thrashers were also significantly more likely included a movement correction factor. Insufficient detections were recorded on to reject their own eggs that had the ultraviolet reflectance blocked compared to the remaining island to derive a population estimate. A total population of over American Robins and Gray Catbirds. These findings suggest ultraviolet light is an 10,000 megapodes was estimated with the larger populations on islands without additional factor that some hosts utilize when rejecting eggs. (6600) feral ungulate populations. Islands without ungulate populations were also found to have 100% occupancy regardless of habitat composition while occupancy on islands with feral ungulates varied based on understory density and forest type. Adams, E. M., University of Maine/BioDiversity Research Institute, USA, evan. The application of all three survey techniques was successful and is expected to [email protected]; Williams, K. A., BioDiversity Research Institute, USA; Evers, become the standard monitoring methodology for this species in the Mariana D. C., BioDiversity Research Institute, USA archipelago. (6478) WINTER MERCURY EXPOSURE IN NEOTROPICAL MIGRANT SONG- BIRDS Amininasab, S. M., Department of Environmental Sciences, Behbahan Higher Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxin and endocrine disruptor that is increasingly globally Education Complex, Islamic Republic of Iran, [email protected]; distributed, including in tropical riparian areas. With this trend, migratory birds Mohajer, A., Environmental Sciences, Chamran University of Ahvaz, Natural are more likely to be exposed to methylmercury on their wintering grounds; Resources Faculty of Behbahan, Islamic Republic of Iran however, the extent of exposure and its effects are unknown. We collected 319 blood samples indicative of wintering ground mercury exposure from American SOME OF THE EFFECTIVE PARAMETRES FOR LITTLE GREEN BEE-EATER Redstarts, Blackpoll Warblers, Black-throated Blue Warblers, Common Yellow- HABITAT SELECTION IN RIPARIAN ZONES OF MAROON RIVER AROUND throats, Northern Waterthrushes, Ovenbirds, and Prairie Warblers in April and THE BEHBAHAN CITY, IRAN May 2009-2010 in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, Florida. This study carried out in 2009 by observation methods in the basis of survey of Northern Waterthrush had the highest blood Hg levels, averaging 0.25 ppm; density, observation and behaviour of Little Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis American Redstarts and Ovenbirds were higher than average at 0.09 and 0.08 around of riparian zones of Maroon River. The maximum density of Little Green ppm Hg, respectively; and Blackpoll Warblers and Black-throated Blue Warblers Bee-eater ( Merops orientalis) individuals (53.8%) observed in cloudy conditions. had the lowest average Hg levels of species sampled. Winter habitat is thought to 53.84% of them preferred 30-35 0c temperatures ranges. The most of them re- be a driver of these differences, but more data are needed to test this hypothesis. corded in 16-17 and 18-19 hours duration. The most of them observed in groups The effects of wintering mercury exposure could be seen throughout the annual with 2-3 individuals. 30.76% of them had 1-2 m distance from own individuals. cycle, and future work will focus on estimating the impact of mercury exposure 60% of them observed in flight time above the river. 47.69% of them had 1-2 m during the migratory period. (6490) distance from vegetations. 60% of them observed 0-150 m distances from river marginal. (6385) Alexander, B. W., Auburn University, USA, [email protected]; Hepp, G. R., Auburn University, USA, [email protected] Anderson, E. M., University of Georgia, USA, [email protected]; Goedeke, A. OCCUPANCY ANALYSIS OF SECRETIVE MARSH BIRDS IN THE KISSIM- V., University of Georgia, USA, [email protected]; Wilson, J. L., University of MEE CHAIN OF LAKES, FLORIDA Georgia, USA, [email protected]; Navara, K. J., University of Georgia, USA, [email protected] Populations of many species of secretive marsh birds are thought to be declining because of loss of marsh habitat. Lake restoration activities in the Kissimmee Chain STEROID HORMONE ANALYSIS OF ROOSTER SEMINAL PLASMA IN of Lakes (KCOL) have impacted littoral habitats. In Feb-May 2009 and 2010, we CONNECTION WITH SEMEN QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS conducted point counts in the KCOL using standardized North American Marsh Much research has focused on identifying the presence and function of hormonal Bird Monitoring Protocols and used robust design analysis to investigate factors contributions passed along with gametes by female birds, but the hormonal influencing occupancy of King Rail Rallus( elegans), Least Bittern (Ixobrychus content passed along with gametes by males continues to be relatively unexplored. exilis), Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) and Limpkin (Aramus guarauna). In previous work, we found that avian semen contains quantifiable concentra- Occupancy estimates of Least Bitterns were positively related to proportion of area tions of reproductive steroids, and that progesterone, in particular, exists at high cover by vegetation >75 cm. Occupancy of Purple Gallinules was positively related concentrations and exerts an inhibitory effect on the fertilization process. Such to the proportion of area with floating leaved vegetation and floating tussocks and an effect could occur either through influences on sperm function or through a Limpkin occupancy was related to percentage of area with emergent vegetation functional change in the hen. In the current study, we examined how concentra- cover between 25-75%. King Rail occupancy was positively related to dense floating tions of progesterone, as well as four other reproductive hormones (corticoste- tussocks and vegetation cover >75%. Conserving for diverse assemblages of littoral rone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol), relate to functional and habitats will support the greatest diversity of secretive marsh birds. (6380) morphological characteristics of sperm. Measures included sperm mobility, concentration, viability and morphology. Results will be discussed. Implications from this research provide insight to the function and potential adaptive value of steroid hormones in male reproduction. (6469) 1 american ornithologists’ union 129th Stated Meeting, 24-29 July, 2011 Anderson, K. A., University of Delawre, USA, [email protected]; Bowman, Arnaiz-Villena, A., Dpt. Immunology, the Madrid Regional Blood Center, J. L., University of Delaware, USA, [email protected]; Coluccy, J. M., Ducks Universidad Complutense, Spain, [email protected]; Areces, C., Dpt. Im- Unlimited; Yerkes, T., Ducks Unlimited munology, the Madrid Regional Blood Center, Universidad Complutense, Spain, SPRING MIGRATION ECOLOGY OF AMERICAN BLACK DUCKS [email protected]; Rey, D., Dpt. Immunology, the Madrid Regional Blood Center, Universidad Complutense,