The Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.

Animal Keepers’ Forum

SPECIAL ISSUE Dedicated to North American Songbirds

April/May 2019, Volume 46, Numbers 4 and 5 How Can You Advance Your Zookeeping Career? With an online education from the Animal Behavior Institute.

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Animaledu.com A more personal education [email protected] Toll free (866) 755-0448 Lazuli Bunting. Photo by Eric Peterson.

136-138 109 ABOUT THE COVER Importance of Monitoring North American Songbird Populations in Urban Areas 110 FROM THE PRESIDENT Rachel Santymire 111 COMING EVENTS 140-142 Fat Scoring Captive North American Migratory Songbirds 114 INTRODUCTION Sarah Steele and Elizabeth Fisher 143-144 115 THANK YOU SPONSORS Saving Songbirds from Strikes 116-119 Lindsay Jacks Working Towards a Bright Future for Native Songbirds: 145-147 The North American Songbird Working Group The Happiest Place on Earth for Purple Martins Sara Hallager (Progne subis) 120-121 John Thomton Building a North American Songbird Collection 148 with Rehab Birds Building a Chimney Swift Tower Nikki Smith Kevin Kollar 122-125 149-152 So You Think You Want a Motus Station Lights Out for Birds: Community solutions Michael Kreger, Ph.D., Ed Diebold, Kevin Kerr, Ph.D, to avian conservation Frank Ridgley, DVM, Joe Smith, DVM, and Stephen Spear, Ph.D. Matthew B. Shumar, Shane J. Good, and Tim Jasinski 126-128 153-157 World Migratory Bird Day - Are you celebrating? The Plight of the Loggerhead Shrike: Anne Tieber A One-Plan Approach to Saving an Iconic 129-132 Grassland Bird in North America Raising Awareness About Bird-window Collisions Dr. Amy Chabot at Zoological Facilities 158-163 Kim Roth Nelson Brevard Zoo and Florida Scrub-Jays: 133-135 Saving a Species in Peril Urban Refuge: Why Zoos are Important Green Spaces Michelle Smurl for Migrating Birds 164-165 Aniko Totha Outdoor "Pets": A Real Cat-astrophe Michelle Smurl and Elliot Zirulnik 108 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM TO CONTACT THE AKF EDITOR: MISSION STATEMENT Shane Good, AKF Editor American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. P.O. Box 535, Valley City, OH 44280 330-483-1104 The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. exists to [email protected] advance excellence in the animal keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, AAZK Administrative Office support deserving conservation projects, and promote the American Association of Zoo Keepers preservation of our natural resources and animal life. 8476 E. Speedway Blvd. Suite 204 Tucson, AZ 85710-1728 520-298-9688 (Phone/Fax) CHIEF EXECUTIVE/FINANCIAL OFFICER: ABOUT THE COVER Ed Hansen | [email protected] As animal care professionals we have a tendency to focus only on the species we care for and envelop our lives around all things involving that species. For 15 years of my career I was no ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM - EDITOR different. I happily ate, drank and slept all things elephants at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. In 2009 my Shane Good, [email protected] wife and I went to Kenya on our honeymoon and my life would change forever. While there, GRAPHIC DESIGNER our guides pointed out amazing species of birds to us. All the while I was snapping photos Elizabeth Thibodeaux, [email protected] of each and every one of them. By the end of the trip I had seen almost 90 species of birds. ENRICHMENT OPTIONS COLUMN COORDINATORS Stephanie Miner, Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Upon returning to Utah, I wondered what species of birds we had here. Surely they could not Beth Stark-Posta, Beth Ament-Briggs TRAINING TALES COLUMN COORDINATORS match the beauty of the birds seen in Africa. I put out bird feeders and soon spring migration Kim Kezer, Jay Pratte, Angela Binney started. Birds started showing up left and right and the colors rivaled the prettiest birds I saw in CONSERVATION STATION COLUMN COORDINATOR Africa. One of those species was a Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) seen Philip Fensterer on the cover. Even more amazing was that they were in my own yard. I did not have to go to ANIMAL WELFARE COLUMN COORDINATORS a park to see them, just look out the window. Stephanie Miner, Julie Hartell-DeNardo, Beth Stark-Posta, Beth Ament-Briggs Ten years and close to one thousand species later I am still capturing the beauty of birds through my camera, including now as an ambassador animal keeper in “Creekside”- a new riparian BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OVERSIGHTS interactive area at Utah’s Hogle Zoo connecting kids to nature. The goal of my photography is PRESIDENT: Bethany Bingham, [email protected] Conference Manager not only to capture nature in all its splendor but to entice every personw ho views my work to VICE PRESIDENT: Mary Ann Cisneros, [email protected] appreciate the world around them and create a passion to preserve and protect the beauty of Ethics Chair our world. Eric Peterson, Utah's Hogle Zoo Bylaws Program Chair: Rebecca Filippini, [email protected] BOARD MEMBER: Bill Steele, [email protected] Articles sent toAnimal Keepers’ Forum will be reviewed by the editorial staff for publication. Awards Committee Co-Chairs: Jan McCoy and Erika Mittelman, [email protected] Articles of a research or technical nature will be submitted to one or more of thezoo Vice Chair: Autumn Lindey, [email protected] AKF professionals who serve as referees for . No commitment is made to the author, but Grants Committee an effort will be made to publish articles as soon as possible. Lengthy articles maybe Chair: Jessica Biggins, [email protected] separated into monthly installments at the discretion of the Editor. The Editor reserves Vice Chair: Stacie Bockheim, [email protected] the right to edit material without consultation unless approval is requested in writing by BOARD MEMBER: Nicole Pepo, [email protected] the author. Materials submitted will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, Conservation Committee self-addressed, appropriately-sized envelope. Telephone, fax or e-mail contributions of late- Chair: Saul Bauer, [email protected] breaking news or last-minute insertions are accepted as space allows. Phone (330) 483- Vice Chair: Vacant 1104; FAX (330) 483-1444; e-mail is [email protected]. If you have questions about Bowling for Rhinos Program Program Manager: Kym Janke, [email protected] submission guidelines, please contact the Editor. Submission guidelines are also found at: Vice Manager: Matthew Mills, [email protected] aazk.org/akf-submission-guidelines/. Trees for You and Me Program Program Manager: Christy Mazrimas-Ott, [email protected] rd Deadline for each regular issue is the 3 of the preceding month. Dedicated issues may have Vice Manager: Vacant separate deadline dates and will be noted by the Editor. BOARD OVERSIGHT: Ellen Vossekuil, [email protected] Professional Development Committee Articles printed do not necessarily reflect the opinions ofthe AKF staff or the American Chair: : Kerri D’Ancicco, Kerri.D’[email protected] Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Publication does not indicate endorsement bythe Vice Chair: Janine Bartling, [email protected] Association. International Outreach Committee Chair: Yvette Kemp, [email protected] Vice Chair: Noah Shields, [email protected] Items in this publication may be reprinted providing credit to this publication is given and BOARD MEMBER: Hardy Kern, [email protected] a copy of the reprinted material is forwarded to the Editor. If an article is shown to be Communication Committee separately copyrighted by the author(s), then permission must be sought from the author(s). Chair: James Weinpress, [email protected] Reprints of material appearing in this journal may be ordered from the Editor. Regular back Vice Chair: Neil Miller, [email protected] issues are available for $6.00 each. Special issues may cost more. AAZK Resource Committee Chair: Robin Sutker, [email protected] MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Vice Chair - Jenny Owens, [email protected] Animal Data Transfer Forms available for download at aazk.org. AAZK Publications/Logo Products/ National Zoo Keeper Week Program Program Manager: Kristen Scaglione, [email protected] Apparel available at AAZK Administrative Office or at aazk.org. Vice Manager - Jenna Schmidt, [email protected] BOARD MEMBER: Paul Brandenburger, [email protected] Behavioral Husbandry Committee Chair: Megan Wright, [email protected] Vice Chair: Vacant Safety Committee Chair: Kelly Murphy, [email protected] Vice Chair: Sara Morris, [email protected]

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 109 FROM THE PRESIDENT

Our Mission is simple; AAZK exists to advance excellence in the animal keeping

deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resourcesprofession, and foster animal effective life. AAZKcommunication is comprised beneficial of approximately to animal care,2700 support members, who are associated with 114 AAZK Chapters and nearly 170 zoological institutions. AAZK also has a variety of partnerships, represented in the form of Conservation Partners, Commercial Members, Institutional Members and Corporate Sponsors.

Six out of seven members of our Board of Directors come from facilities that hold Institutional Memberships with AAZK. Institutional Membership is a partnership that provides facilities the opportunity to reach and recruit staff from across the country by posting unlimited job opportunities on the AAZK website. It offers access to the Animal Keeper’s Forum, which is highly respected in the industry as a resource for keeper training and husbandry. AAZK also offers more than $40,000 in annual grants. Our endowed grants in Conservation, Research, Continuing Education and Reforestation are available to AAZK members, including Institutional Members. I encourage each of you to inquire as to whether your facility is a partner

I encourage each of you new Institutional Members. with AAZK. The benefits are mutual. We look forward to building our team with to inquire as to whether In 2018, AAZK Chapters raised an estimated $800,000 and donated to as many your facility is a partner as 350 notable conservation efforts worldwide, including their host institutions. with AAZK. The AAZK currently has 31 Conservation Partners who are regularly represented in the pages of the AKF or as exhibitors and speakers at the annual conference. Our benefits are mutual. million dollars for species and habitat conservation in Africa and Asia since 1990. Amost complete significant list of conservation Conservation program Partners is can Bowling be found for Rhinos, on the AAZK which website. has raised 7.75

Commercial Members and Corporate Sponsors are also an important form of partnership for us. AAZK is committed to providing an outstanding annual conference program for delegates. Corporate Sponsors contribute to our mission of furthering the education of zoo keepers through sponsorship of not only the annual Conference, but also the Animal Keeper’s Forum. This dedicated issue of the AKF is made possible by eight generous sponsors which are featured on P. 115 of this issue.

IWe hope very you much enjoy appreciate this issue your featuring role in songbirds. helping us Happy achieve Spring! our goals.

Warm Regards,

Bethany [email protected]

110 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Post upcoming events here! COMING EVENTS e-mail [email protected]

July 13-19, 2019 July 22-26, 2019 August 4-8, 2019 Felid TAG: Prosimian TAG Husbandry 17th Annual Symposium on Husbandry Courses - July 13-15 Workshop and Mid-year the Conservation and Biology SSP Meetings - July 15-16 Meeting of Tortoises and Freshwater TAG Meetings - July 17-19 Dallas, TX Turtles - Tucson, AZ Omaha, NE Hosted by the Dallas Zoo Hosted by the Turtle Survival Hosted by Omaha's Henry Three day workshop followed Alliance and the IUCN Tortoise Doorly Zoo and Aquarium by TAG meetings and Freshwater Turtle Specialist More information coming soon! For more information contact: Group. For more information [email protected] go to: https://turtlesurvival. org/2019symposium/

August 26-28, 2019 September 7-11, 2019 September 22-27, 2019 Orangutan SSP Husbandry AZA Annual Conference ASSOCIATION OF ZOO Workshop New Orleans, LA VETERINARY TECHNICIANS Fort Wayne, IN Hosted by Audubon Zoo Annual Conference Hosted by the Fort Wayne and Audubon Aquarium Colorado Springs, CO Children's Zoo of the Americas Hosted by For more information go to: For more information go to: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo http://www.orangutanssp. aza.org For more information go to: org/2019-workshop.html https://www.azvt.org/page- 7741

September 30 - Oct. 4, 2019 October 7-11, 2019 October 7-11, 2019 New World Primate TAG Giraffe Care Workshop "From Good Care to Great Husbandry Workshop Colorado Springs, CO Welfare" workshop New Bedford, MA Hosted by Detroit, MI Hosted by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Hosted by Detroit Zoological Buttonwood Park Zoo For more information go to: Society’s Center for Zoo and For more information go to: http://www.cmzoo.org/index. Aquarium Animal Welfare https://www.bpzoo.org/ php/giraffe-care-workshop/ and Ethics nwptag-conference- For more information go to: registration/ http://www.czaw.org/events

April 4-9, 2020 August 18-22, 2019 AZA Mid-Year Meeting AAZK National Conference Palm Springs, CA Hosted by The Living Desert Indianapolis, IN Zoo and Gardens For more information go to: Hosted by Indy AAZK and the https://midyear.aza.org/ Indianapolis Zoo

www.indyaazk.org

111 │ AAZK.ORGANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM AmericanApril/May Association 2019│Vol. of Zoo 46 Nos.Keepers, 4 & Inc.5│ 111 PHOTOS COURTESY OF ERIC PETERSON

Cedar Waxwing

112 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Brown-headed nuthatch White-eyed vireo

Yellow-throated warbler Ovenbird

Golden-winged warbler

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 113 Introduction Sara Hallager, Curator of Birds Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Red-winged blackbird Nikki Smith, Assistant Curator North America and Polar Frontier Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

You probably don’t even realize just how many songbirds are a part of responsibility to spread these simple your life. Songbirds surround us and messagesourselves. ofWe hope have to the the power 183 million and the are the soundtrack to our outdoor people each year who visit our zoos and aquariums in North America. you see or hear when you go outside in theadventures. morning Oddsis a bird. are Theythe first wake animal us up at 3:00 am with their melodies. They songbird conservation are already brighten the winter garden. They hail occurringThe first steps at many toward zoos supporting and aquariums. native the arrival of spring. They amaze us by As you read this issue, you’ll learn Black-headed Grosbeak their incredible migrations and remind about some of the projects in zoos and us of the change in seasons. Although aquariums. For example, native songbird we can explore the surface of Mars, we feeding stations, Christmas bird counts do not yet fully understand how a 12g on zoo/aquarium grounds, bird-friendly glass treatments on buildings and without stopping. Songbirds play a role inblackpoll our national warbler identity can fly and 1,500 our miles culture. Bird Day, and educating guests about For each state there is a state bird, and nativeexhibits, songbirds celebrating are Worldjust some Migratory of the of these, well over half are songbirds. In projects AZA organizations are doing to sports, literature, and pop culture birds help birds. are a continual source of inspiration. This special issue of AKF is brought to Songbirds around the world on every you by The North American Songbird continent and in every country are in trouble. They are declining fast. is an initiative of the AZA Passerine TAG.Working Our GroupVision (NASWG).is simple: “TheThe NAWSG North loss, climate change, pet trade, sport andWorldwide food all declines contribute due to to the habitat loss recognized leader in the conservation of songbirds. In North America, our ofAmerican North American Songbird songbirds” Working Group and our is a beloved backyard birds are being killed Mission is clear: “The mission of the by outdoor cats with estimates of up to 1 billion birds being killed each year. Group is to raise awareness of issues Another billion birds are estimated facingNorth AmericanNorth American Songbird songbirds Working and to die from hitting buildings. BirdLife to promote their conservation through International (2008) reports over half AZA facilities.“ of Neotropical migratory songbirds have suffered widespread declines over This issue of Animal Keepers Forum the last 40 years. is dedicated to our native songbirds.

Conservation actions for songbirds may your appreciation of these birds, and feel overwhelming but there are easy providesWe hope ityou inspires with new you, insight increases into these things every single person can do. Own incredible animals. Poet Henry van a cat? Keep it indoors. Drink coffee? Buy Dyke tells us to “Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those itcertified bird-friendly. bird-friendly Have a brands.garden? Have Grow a nativewindow plants in your and home don’t or use office? insecticides Make help motivate you to contribute to the or pesticides. There are many ways each conservationthat sang best.” of Webird hope species these in articleswhatever of us can help birds and our ability to way you can; big or small. Blue grosbeak help songbirds extends way beyond Photos courtesy of Eric Peterson

114 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. THANK YOU SPONSORS

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 115 Working Towards a Bright Future for Native Songbirds: The North American Songbird Working Group Sara Hallager, Curator of Birds Smithsonian National Zoological Park

Altamira Oriole. Photo courtesy of Eric Peterson. theThe AZA North PaCCT American (Passeriformes, Songbird Working Apodiformes,Group (NASWG) Coliiformes, is an initiative of Caprimulgiformes and Trogoniformes) Taxon Advisory Group. If you don’t take care of birds, should you read this article? The answer is Yes! Absolutely! Many of the issues, threats and solutions that affect songbirds also affect reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, insects, plants and marine life in our care and in our neighborhoods. So please keep reading because we need your help, more than ever!

Group helps raise awareness of North America’sThe North nativeAmerican songbirds Songbird within Working the

are important. There’s even a whole AZA community. We all know birds Matter, Edited by Çagan H. Sekercioglu, book just on this topic (Why Birds

manyDaniel of G. our Wenny, most and familiar Christopher and favorite J. backyardWhelan, 2016). birds are But in did real you trouble know with that recent estimates of 50% of Neotropical migratory birds suffering substantial declines over the past 40 years (BirdLife International, 2008). More than one-third (37%) of North American bird species are of high conservation concern and at risk of extinction without

significant conservation action (State of

116 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. archives/toxoplasmosis.html for more events on how to apply bird-friendly many of our common birds still number information). tape, and through venues such as inthe the Birds millions, Report let 2016). us not Andforget although the Migratory Bird Day story of the passenger pigeon whose Conservation Action: Keep your cat population went from 1 billion to 0 in indoors to save wildlife 3. World Migratory Bird Day. Who: Animal care and Education staff in happen to any of our beloved songbirds. bird, reptile, mammal, aquatic areas of https://www.environmentamericas. Andless thanso, we 50 work years. for We them. don’t And want we that hope to each and every AZA facility org/imbd-2/World Migratory highlights Bird Day and (WMBD) celebrates to inspire you to save our songbirds. How: Keeper talks, signage, links to the migration of birds around the webpages on your website, educational world including nearly 350 species conservation and ultimately, in the programs or informational carts. Make of migratory birds between nesting conservationWe all must play of reptiles/amphibians, a role in songbird the case for improved welfare of the cats habitats in North America and non- mammals, insects, marine life and so when kept indoors. breeding grounds in Latin America, much more. Mexico, and the Caribbean. Many AZA- 2. Glass strikes. accredited facilities celebrate world The causes of songbird decline are Zoos and aquariums use glass to present Migratory Bird Day with interactive well documented, as are the solutions. their exhibits for an enhanced guest exhibits, bird banding demonstrations Unlike conservation actions that occur in viewing experience. As conservation and special events to introduce visitors faraway places, there are many actions organizations, we have a responsibility to North American songbirds. Events we can do to save songbirds, most to design our exhibits to be bird-friendly. like these show visitors that birds are of which are achievable with simple Recently, AZA institutions have begun an important part of our world and help lifestyle changes. Presented here are six to take a leadership role in addressing demonstrate why birds matter. Don’t collisions of wild birds with glass in have native birds on exhibit in your zoo? Many of these initiatives are further their operations. This can be seen in Talk about the wild ones that visit your expandedinitiatives uponchampioned in other by articles the NASWG. within the adoption of bird-friendly design zoo or celebrate the day at your Asian or this dedicated issue of AKF. strategies in new construction as well as African songbird aviary! The important the redesign of existing exhibits. There thing is just to celebrate the day and The Six Initiatives of the are simple and affordable strategies the importance of birds. The theme North American Songbird guests and their families can do to take an active role to protect birds at home. pollution and ways to reduce both. The Working Group For example, putting up bird tape on of WMBD for 2019 is about plastic, windows at home is an easy action Migratory Bird Day 2019 represent 1. Outdoor Cats. 12 focal bird species selected for World Outdoor cats are among the top threats (https://abcbirds.org/program/glass- diverse groups of birds, the habitats to global biodiversity (Doherty et al., collisions/abc-birdtape/ or http://www. they use, and their foraging behaviors. conveniencegroup.com/featherfriendly/ Despite their differences, each of these anthropogenic mortality to birds in feather-friendly birds and their habitats have been the2016) United and theStates top and source Canada of direct, (State values as we continue to integrate impacted by plastic pollution. Reducing bird-friendly glass ). We into can the model design AZA of the use of plastic and cleaning up the waste that is currently contaminating catsof the have Birds, driven 2014). 40 birdA 2016 species study to buildings with bird-friendly products. It our natural environments is essential to our newest buildings or to retrofit older extinction(Doherty et worldwide al., 2016) sincefound 1500. that feral Loss is a powerful message that together we migratory bird conservation et al., (2013) found that cats kill 1.3-4 can build bird-friendly architecture and educate millions of visitors each year Conservation Action: Birds are 22.3 billion mammals (median 12.3 on the glass strike issue, conservation important and we all can help birds billion),billion birds and likely(median hundreds 2.4 billion), of millions 6.3- implications, and the attainable Who: Bird staff, Educators, of reptiles (median 478 million) and solutions. Communication departments amphibians (median 173 million) each How: Interactive exhibits and tables, year in the US. Cats shed toxoplasmosis Conservation Action: Make all bird banding demonstrations and which affects marine life and humans, windows bird-friendly at your zoo or special events; website promotions; often with lethal consequences aquarium, and at your home to help save promote lifestyle changes e.g. drink (https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/ songbirds bird-friendly coffee or eat grassland- toxoplasmosis/gen_info/faqs.html). The Who: Exhibit designers, Public Relations bird-friendly hamburgers; keep your Toxoplasma gondii parasite found in departments, Education departments, cat indoors, don’t use pesticides or cat feces is killing many of the Animal Care staff insecticides which harm birds; recycle ocean’s highly endangered mammals How: Incorporate messaging and signage what you can; plant bird-friendly such as sea otters and seals, in all animal areas that have bird-friendly gardens; help clean up your local including the highly endangered windows; apply bird-friendly products to waterways, install bird-friendly window Hawaiian monk seal (See http:// treatments; become a citizen scientist to www.marinemammalcenter.org/ on this topic and what they can to help; monitor local birds; reduce your use of your homes and offices; educate guests about-us/News-Room/2017-news- expand messaging of bird-friendly glass single-use plastics through venues such as Facebook Live

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 117 4. Conservation Breeding understand the needs of migratory Conservation Action: Take steps to and Science. birds, zoos and aquariums are able decrease the amount of light our cities As experts in husbandry, reproductive to offer assistance to populations in emit to reduce bird deaths and help all biology, nutrition, wildlife health, decline. These populations can assist wildlife. Protecting the night sky is a population management, physiology avian researchers by providing models valuable step to conserving bio-diversity and welfare, AZA zoos and aquariums for rare species, understanding avian by restoring the natural nighttime offer specialized expertise and skills to health, life history, and testing potential darkness. This saves money by reducing aid in the recovery of threatened and energy consumption, and supports your endangered songbird populations. Some organization’s sustainability goals. AZA zoos are participating in a North Conservationfield methods. Action: AZA zoos and Who: Housekeeping, buildings and American songbird initiative http:// aquariums offer specialized expertise grounds staff, education departments, conservationcenters.org/programs/ and skills to aid in the recovery of neighborhoods/businesses surrounding native-species-forces/songbirds/ led songbirds. The time to study and AZA facilities by the Conservation Centers for Species learn about these birds is now, before How: Learn more about Lights Out Survival (C2S2), which seeks to grow populations reach critical levels. Programs near you at https://www. connectivity between ex situ and in Who: All AZA bird caretakers, Education audubon.org/conservation/project/ situ populations of songbirds through departments lights-out and about the importance a One Plan Approach. The loggerhead How: Encourage your zoo or aquarium of darkness to animal well-being shrike is a C2S2 songbird priority to exhibit native songbirds (even just at https://www.darksky.org/light- species and a model for this larger one species is great!) to begin to gain pollution/wildlife/ songbird initiative. Zoo-based North familiarity with the husbandry of these American songbirds have been used birds. 6. Songbird Programs. in research, some of which is directly Collectively, AZA institutions welcome applicable to in situ conservation. For 5. Lights Out. over 183 million annual visitors - more example, the Smithsonian National Every year, billions of birds migrate visitors than NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB Zoo’s song sparrow colony was used north in the spring and south in the annual attendance combined. Therefore, in research investigating the bill fall, the majority of them flying at the opportunity to engage the public as a thermoregulatory organ and a night. However, as they pass over at large in programming focused on captive colony of wood thrush helped cities on their way, they often become North American songbirds and their researchers understand the relationship disoriented by artificial lights. All living conservation issues is immense at of food availability on the non-breeding creatures rely on the Earth's regular AZA zoos and aquariums. Birds are grounds to breeding success. By rhythm of day and night to regulate establishing native songbird populations internal cycles. Many use the protection as animal experts and our grounds as a in managed care and working to of darkness to safely forage and mate. homeeverywhere! for birds We (and can otherleverage wildlife) our status to foster a connection between visitors and their local bird community.

Blue Grosbeak. Photo by Eric Peterson. Conservation Action: Create an empathetic connection to birds and show that we all can help birds Who: Bird staff, Educators, Communication departments How: Communicate songbird conservation messages to visitors through signage and programming; partner with local organizations that can assist with events and crafting messages; engage in citizen science programs focused on birds.

118 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Name Title Organization E-mail NASWG Role

Kim Cook Senior Director of Life Sciences Akron Zoo [email protected] Veterinary Advisor

Jason Fischer Conservation Program Disney's Animal [email protected] Research Advisor Manager-Birds Kingdom Shane Good Director of Collection Akron Zoo [email protected] Glass Strike Prevention Management and Lights Out Champion Sara Hallager Curator of Birds Smithsonian National [email protected] Co-Chair, Husbandry Champion Zoological Park Matt Igleski Student and Teacher Lincoln Park Zoo [email protected] Education Advisor Programs Developer Lindsay Jacks Director Lights Out Baltimore [email protected] Glass Strike Prevention Champion Jo Anna Wildlife Biologist USFWS [email protected] Permit Advisor Lutmerding Mike Kreger VP of Conservation Columbus Zoo and [email protected] Conservation Advisor Aquarium; The Wilds Rhana Paris Outreach Coordinator NC Aquarium [email protected] Education Advisor

Eric Peterson Senior Keeper Utah’s Hogle Zoo [email protected] Photographer Ambassador Animals Kirby Pitchford Animal Care Professional II, Birmingham Zoo [email protected] Keeper Representative; Lorikeets and Interpretation Newsletter Editor Danielle Ross VP of Conservation Columbus Zoo and [email protected] Education Advisor Education and Engagement Aquarium; The Wilds Tom Schneider Curator of Birds Detroit Zoo [email protected] Urban Bird Treaty Champion

Chris Sheppard Director Glass American Bird [email protected] Glass Collisions Advisor Collisions Programs Conservancy Grant Sizemore Director of Invasive Species American Bird [email protected] Cat Advisor Programs Conservancy Joe Smith Director of Animal Programs Ft. Wayne [email protected] Veterinary Advisor Children's Zoo Nikki Smith Assistant Curator-North America Columbus Zoo [email protected] Co-Chair, Husbandry Champion and Polar Frontier and Aquarium Anne Tieber Curator of Birds Saint Louis Zoo [email protected] International Migratory Bird Day Champion Bonnie Van Dam Assistant Curator of Birds Detroit Zoo [email protected] Glass Strike Prevention Champion Kelly Vineyard Senior Curator Columbus Zoo [email protected] Husbandry Advisor and Aquarium

References North American Bird Conservation Initiative. BirdLife International. 2008. State of the world’s birds: Indicators for our changing world. Cambridge, UK: Birdlife Canada:2016. The Ottawa, State of Ontario. North America’s8 pages. www. Birds International 2016. Environment and Climate Change Doherty, T., Glen, A., Nimmo, D., Ritchie, E. Proceedings of Northstateofthebirds.org. American Bird Conservation Cat. No.: CW66- Initiative, the National Academy of Sciences 113 U.S.527/2016E Committee. ISBN: 2014. 978-0-660-05104-8. The State of the and Dickman, C. 2016. Birds 2014 Report. U.S. Department of

impact(40):11261-11265 of free-ranging domestic cats Visitor Demographics, Association of Zoo & Loss,on S.R.,wildlife Will, of T. the and United Marra, States. P.P. 2013. Nature The Aquariums.Interior, Washington, (2019, February D.C. 16 20).pages. Retrieved Communications http://dx.doi. from: https://www.aza.org/partnerships- org/10.1038/ncomms2380 visitor-demographics 4:1396.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 119 Building a North American Songbird Collection With Rehab Birds Nikki Smith, Assistant Curator, Columbus Zoo

Exhibiting North American songbirds non-release from their veterinarian, is a vibrant and colorful way to connect is not possible, they actively search stating why the bird cannot be our visitors to a conservation crisis into their native ranges. When that released to the wild. Next they will happening in our own backyards. Zoos accepting a rehab bird it is important need to submit a transfer request have a great opportunity to highlight tofor determine placement if for this their bird birds. will be When a the plight of native songbirds through yourself with federals laws governing exhibiting non-releasable rehab birds. are more successful than others in to USFWS. You should familiarize Some zoos have permits that allow differentgood fit for settings your aviary. depending Some on birds what 21.31 and 50 CFR 21.12. The Code them to collect from the wild. If your their particular needs will be. Our ofmigratory Federal Regulations,birds, specifically in regards 50 CFR to institution is interested in opening most successful residents come to us non-releasable birds states that, “(iii) a native songbird aviary but do not able to feed and forage for themselves You must euthanize any bird that wish to collect from the wild there are cannot feed itself, perch upright, or alternatives. Three quarters of the short distances. You might be able birds that I work with in our North toand accommodate with the ability birds to flywith or different flutter injuries to itself where medical and/ American songbird aviary came to us needs depending on your aviary. Is orambulate rehabilitative without care inflicting will not additional reverse from wildlife rehabilitators. These birds it indoor, walk-through or perhaps such conditions. You must euthanize were deemed non-releasable and many outdoor but not walk-through? any bird that is completely blind, and rehabbers are not permitted for long- Always ask what the bird is currently any bird that has sustained injuries term possession or exhibition of these eating; you’ll want to be sure you that would require amputation of a can accommodate this bird’s diet leg, a foot, or a wing at the elbow or placement options or rehabbers are and feeding needs even if you plan to above (humero-ulnar joint) rather forcedbirds. Thereto euthanize is a need these to find birds. permanent Spring transition to your facility’s diet once than performing such surgery, unless: and fall are a busy time for rehabbers; the bird arrives. These birds have (A) A licensed veterinarian submits there are many animals competing for survived a traumatic event and are a written recommendation that the space and resources at these facilities. under stress. It will be important to bird should be kept alive, including Most commonly we see wing injuries, try to ease their transition when they an analysis of why the bird is not though we also see some with eye or move to your quarantine space. It expected to experience the injuries foot injuries. These injuries have not is also important to try to gather as and/or ailments that typically occur kept these birds from leading very full much information on the medical care in birds with these injuries and a this bird has received. You will want commitment (from the veterinarian) make accommodations for these birds to request this information early and to provide medical care for the bird withlives increative our walk perching -through and aviary. roosting We you will likely be receiving hand- for the duration of its life, including options and modify feeding stations written medical records with the bird complete examinations at least once and nest boxes to meet the needs of our when it arrives. a year; (B) A placement is available collection. for the bird with a person or facility Once you’ve determined the abilities authorized to possess it, where of this bird it’s time to start the it will receive the veterinary care conservationists and are eager to get permitting process. You will need described in paragraph (e)(4)(iii)(A) theWildlife animals rehabilitators in their care are released passionate the rehabber to obtain a letter of of this section; and (C) The issuing

120 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. nature centers and other facilities that The last step before transfer will be possession, medical treatment, and hold education or exhibition permits. for the rehabber to obtain a health rehabilitativeoffice specifically care authorizes of the bird.” continued There You cannot transfer a bird from an is a lot of discussion recently about the exempt institution to a non-exempt language in this section. Rehabbers institution. If you acquire a bird that is transport)certificate (goodsigned for by 10 their days consulting if you’re and their partners in AZA need to have veterinarian.flying the bird Here and 30in Ohio,days forif our ground rehab honest discussions about the abilities can transfer that animal to another partner is from out of state, we need to of any birds being considered for institutionnot a good fitprovided for your you collection are both you exempt have them apply for an import permit placement. Some of us have seen or or that you both hold the same permit from our Department of Agriculture. Be worked with birds at our institutions for education or exhibition sure to check and ensure you’re meeting that likely should not have been any local regulations- your registrar or offered or accepted into the collection. For many of us, shipping animals is your local Department of Agriculture Conversely, many birds missing a wing, a common occurrence. Bear in mind portion of a wing or portion of a leg may pertinent laws. placing an animal at a zoo or aquarium; office should be able to advise you on any Sandhill Cranes in a number of zoos theythat thisare likelymay be unfamiliar a rehabber’s with first your time The 2014 State of the Birds report lists do just fine in your aviary. For example, acquisition or quarantine processes. In 33 once common birds now considered wing and many species of waterfowl do the spring especially, they have many to be in steep decline, a warning quiteare missing well; other a significant birds are portion not as ofeasy a animals in their care and can easily that habitats these birds rely on are to judge. Video clips from the rehabber be scared off by the sheer amount of that highlight the abilities of these birds paperwork involved in this process. are very important in determining if you Please be patient with them, they often (PIF)disappearing. list as a call These to action birds forjoin all the of 86 us should move forward in your acquisition. have a full time job in addition to their concernedidentified on with the conserving Partners in and Flight securing duties at the wildlife rehab center. Offer the future of these species. Habitat loss, needs of many different species but in to ship a crate to them so they don’t collisions, and cats pose huge threats to theHabitats end you can need be modified to be able to tomeet say the no our native songbirds and many zoos are to a bird that you know will not thrive Flexibility on when you can receive can actively supporting in situ projects and in your exhibit. On limited occasions, goneed a long to get way; one often ready times for the these flight. animals educating our guests through Year of we’ve received a bird that was not able need quick placement to ensure room to display the abilities we believed that it at the rehab center for another critical events. Exhibiting native passerines is could. In that rare instance, we elect for case. Other times, the paperwork seems anotherthe Bird wayand Worldto spread Migratory the message! Bird Day The humane euthanasia to ensure we are not to take forever to get together due to PaCCT TAG’s North American Songbird keeping birds in situations where their time constraints on the rehabber’s part, welfare is poor. government shutdowns or a backlog foster a communication network that canWorking help placeGroup birds is working in a setting to create where and Your institution may be exempt from the are differences from region to region. 50 CFR 21.12 permit and that is also very Patienceat their local pays permitting off and this office rehabber as there will regularly share information on birds important to be aware of in the event call you again when they have a bird to they will not only survive but thrive. We you are going to transfer birds zoo to zoo place if you are able to dedicate the time more often than not there are other in the future. As an exempt institution institutionsthat are not thata good are fit happy for our to aviary;receive a you may acquire birds from rehabbers, at your facility. bird that would not have worked at our to assist them with their first placement home zoo.

JOIN THE List serv name: BraZN AZA LIST SERV Bird Rehabilitator and Zoo Network If you are not an AZA member, please contact to receive e-mail updates about available birds! Sara Hallager Nikki Smith [email protected] [email protected]

Listings of birds available for placement can also be found on the website for International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council at iwrc.org.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 121 So You Think You Want a Motus Station

Michael Kreger, Ph.D. on it, you can track it. The hallmark of Vice President, Columbus Zoo and the system is the network of receiving at different stages in participation. Wayne Children’s Zoo and others are Aquarium stations or Motus stations that are set Columbus, Ohio up throughout the landscape to answer ways that zoos can support migratory important research questions. birdWe’ve conservation learned that through there are the three Motus system: expanding the network through Ed Diebold Using birds as an example, while citizen infrastructure support, participating Chief Life Sciences Officer, science tells us where birds are, to in research projects, and using the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden understand the migratory behavior of system to inspire guests and researchers Columbia, South Carolina an individual bird, or group of birds, you through education and outreach.

Kevin Kerr, Ph.D. Infrastructure support: This is where Curator of Birds and Invertebrates, stopoverneed to track points? it. What How islong its fulldoes annual it stay most of us are now. This includes Motus Toronto Zoo there?cycle migratory Is there important route? Where habitat are along the station construction, usually on zoo Toronto, Ontario the way that should be protected? You can begin to answer research questions point to the international network of addressing how climate change, habitat stationsproperty, (Fig. to fill-in 2). Some or add zoos another have thedata Frank Ridgley, DVM change, urban light, or ecological stations on grounds with associated Zoo Conservation and Veterinary disasters like oil spills affect migration. graphics. Others have them on other Services Manager, Zoo Miami You can get some information from bird zoo-managed property. For example, Miami, Florida banding and geolocators, but then you have to re-catch the bird to know where Fig. 1. The Motus station on the roof of Joe Smith, DVM it is or where it’s been. You could use the Overlook Restaurant at The Wilds. satellite telemetry, but transmitters are The station was donated by Bernie Director of Animal Programs, Fort Master. Photo by Stephen Spear. Wayne Children’s Zoo expensive and their weight restricts Fort Wayne, Indiana their use to larger species. Or you could use radio telemetry and a network of Stephen Spear, Ph.D. receiver stations so you could pick up location data every time the bird passes Director of Wildlife Ecology within range of a station. That’s what The Wilds Motus does. Not only do you get a Zanesville, Ohio more precise view of a bird’s migratory movements, but you do not need to As zoos and aquariums, we are always recapture it to know where it goes. on the lookout for innovative ways to According to the website (http://motus. contribute to species conservation. org), in the last hundred years, bird If it’s affordable, that’s a bonus. Along comes Motus. Motus is not an havebanding already has producedproduced 64750 million million data data acronym, it’s Latin for movement. The points!points. InSince five its years, inception Motus in projects 2015, over collaborative international research networkMotus Wildlife that uses Tracking cooperative System is a bats, and insects have been detected 16,000 individuals of 120 bird species, automated radio telemetry to track (see https://motus.org/data/numbers).

is a program of Bird Studies Canada Zoos have only started exploring (BSC)the movements in partnership of flying with animals. contributing It the Motus system a couple of years researchers and organizations. The ago, so we’ve had to learn a lot. So majority of species being studied are far, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, birds, but it is also used to track bats (Fig. 1), Toronto Zoo, and Zoo Miami areRiverbanks the only Zoo zoos & with Garden, operating The Wilds Motus and even insects like dragonflies. If you stations. At the time of writing, Fort can fit a nano-transmitter (Nanotag)

122 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. network to some extent. Our stations is working with Powder Mill Nature deploying a station at the zoo and three contribute to the numerous ongoing Reserve (Carnegie Museum of Natural stationsFort Wayne on landChildren’s acquired Zoo through will be a studies that have tagged birds, bats, or partner in northeast Indiana (Smith, Lights Out Columbus to tag and release pers. com., Feb. 2019). Riverbanks Zoo are responsible for maintaining the birdsHistory), that the have Ohio been Wildlife rehabilitated Center, andafter & Garden has its station at its botanic stationsinsects flying and downloading across the landscape. and sending We window strikes. Do these birds survive garden due to the garden’s higher the data periodically to Bird Studies once released? Do they continue their elevation (Diebold, pers. com., Feb. Canada. In the future, the data will migration? Are there species or other be livestreamed directly to BSC from differences in migratory behavior? stations, most of them in Canada and the the station receiver. Zoo Miami and Toronto Zoo is working with partners in United2019). States.There are They currently are concentrated over 600 the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius in certain areas such as the southern working with zoos throughout Florida ludovicianus spp.) Recovery Team and shores of the Great Lakes, along the tothe establish U.S. Fish a and cross-state Wildlife networkService are of has detected migrating captive-bred Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic coast stations for this important bird region birds that were released elsewhere (See Motus map: https://motus.org/ (Ridgley, pers. com., Feb. 2019). in the province with their station and data/receiversMap?lang=en). However, others. Toronto Zoo has also hosted there are large areas across the country, Zoo-directed or collaborated Environment Canada researchers many of which are very important to research projects: Zoos can directly studying the stopover ecology of migratory animals, which do not have participate in or design their own Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) – a coverage. This limits the power of the studies. For example, Columbus Zoo Species At Risk in Ontario. They have

Fig. 2. John Davis, Riverbanks’ Director of Animal Care & Welfare, powers-up the Riverbanks station. Photo by Ed Diebold.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 123 Fig. 3. The telephone pole For further on top of which Riverbanks’ Motus station is mounted information, contact was graciously donated and erected by South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G). Columbus Zoo Photo by Ed Diebold. Michael Kreger [email protected]

Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo Joe Smith [email protected]

Riverbanks Ed Diebold [email protected]

The Wilds Stephen Spear [email protected]

Toronto Zoo Kevin Kerr [email protected]

Zoo Miami Frank Ridgley [email protected]

Carolina species or explore population biology, data collection, or STEM. The guest engagement team will highlight Motus as appropriate.

system? Most of what you need to know What have we learned about the nanotagged swallows breeding on zoo use the stations to talk about migratory to construct a station, build or buy a grounds to identify their wintering species, the value of wildlife tracking, receiver box, and manage data can be areas (Kerr, pers. com., Feb. 2019). and the role of zoos in wildlife research found on the Motus website. Prices for Zoo Miami is working with partners at and conservation. It allows us to build materials vary depending on what you Audubon’s Everglades Science Center a connection between wildlife in our need or what you have. For example, in the Florida Keys to detect Roseate own backyards and where it travels can you attach the array (kind of like a Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) (Ridgley, before and after it gets there. Those TV antenna) to an existing pole or do pers. com., Feb. 2019). Riverbanks Zoo who currently have stations have static you need to purchase a pole to get the & Garden is considering putting up a graphics (Fig. 4), but educators may array high enough? At the Columbus station on private land in Ecuador that also develop interactive activities or is bordered by nearly pristine protected educational materials. Zoos also share for each station, including the receiver. Zoo and The Wilds, it cost about $5,000 bird habitat (Diebold, pers. com., Feb. information about the system and 2019). The station would be monitored projects through social media and their There are technical challenges. Motus by local partners. Some of the species websites. stations are typically deployed at that migrate past the zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, like Swainson’s Thrush Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s education competing bandwidth with zoo radio field study sites. In a zoo, you have (Catharsus ustulatus), winter in Ecuador. department will incorporate the Motus and potential obstructions (ideally you systems, technology security firewalls, Education and outreach: Zoos can in programs that highlight native want the arrays to have a clear “view” of story into its programming, specifically

124 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. the horizon). To get it’s antennae above As more zoos host stations, a Motus the treeline, Riverbanks Zoo & Garden future? Like all telemetry technologies, working group could be developed to installed an 85 foot tall telephone pole MotusWhat can will we adapt expect and from improve Motus over in thetime. coordinate the zoo community and and put the antennae on top with the Tag technologies are improving and the provide great value to our network. help of an engineering drone that was Motus receivers are regularly upgraded This group would be a point of contact utilized to ensure that the antennae to keep pace. Most Motus summary on technology and would share data are open for use by the public, information, graphics, and perhaps researchers, and zoos wishing to explore identify research priorities and potential support,were at a it sufficient is very worthwhile height (Fig. to 3). have the data in more detail. The network will collaborations. zooWhile information you can contact technology BSC for support technical continue to grow as educators, public staff involved in the process. Like any land managers, and zoos continue to Here is the bottom line - Motus is an wildlife technology, it takes time and affordable, cutting edge technology that practice to become familiar with how in gaps across the Flyways. And as the allows zoos and aquariums to contribute it operates, in this case, maintaining networkput stations expands, on the the landscape system becomesand fill to or conduct research on migratory and troubleshooting problems with more informative and nanotagging will species in their own backyards. It is a hardware, the procedure to download become an attractive option to more valuable tool for inspiring visitors and data, sending it to BSC, and interpreting researchers. Zoo graphic designers or informing management decisions that the results. However, it is thrilling to educators are welcome to use any of will ultimately help save migratory the information to develop animations birds. data to the migration of that bird that wouldfind you have have gone detected unknown a bird otherwise. and added It past our stations and where else they Acknowledgements is a simple way to contribute to multiple couldor materials have been that detected. display animals flying The authors wish to thank Stuart Mackenzie, Director, Migration Ecology, Bird Studies Canada, for his comments field conservation projects. on this manuscript.

Fig. 4. Public signage at Zoo Miami’s Motus station. Photo by Zoo Miami.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 125 World Migratory Bird Day - Are you celebrating?

Anne Tieber St. Louis Zoo

As spring approaches, the weather to highlight this event and share others have declined by 50 percent or starts to warm, and our thoughts turn with our visitors the unique beauty more. to spring. Our outdoors come to life and diversity of birds. The array of with bird songs and it reminds us that neotropical migrants coming through spring bird migration is upon us. More offers dedicated birders a chance to add takes place the second Saturday in May than 300 species of migratory birds species to their life lists or just enjoy butWorld this Migratory may not workBird Dayfor everyone,officially so travel from Latin America, Mexico and the beauty of seeing birds that are not now people are encouraged to celebrate the Caribbean back to their summer normally found here. any time of the year. By celebrating breeding grounds in North America and we help create public awareness of Canada. In 2018, we celebrated “The According to BirdLife International the threats to our migratory songbirds Year of the Bird” and the anniversary of (2008), over half of neotropical and empower our visitors to become the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). migratory songbirds have suffered involved in what they can do to help. As a conservation organization, the Saint widespread declines over the last 40 Louis Zoo also celebrates International years. The main threats include habitat birds by participating in citizen science Migratory Bird Day, now dubbed loss and degradation, predation by programs,We can encourage in which our volunteers visitors toand help domestic cats, and collisions with scientists work together to answer real- highlighting the spectacular event of buildings and towers. Now more world questions and gather data. These birdWorld migration. Migratory For Bird St. Day Louis, (WMBD), being in recently, climate changes and pesticides programs can be a fun and engaging (neonicotinoids) are recognized as way to get the family out and learn a species of migratory birds that come detrimental to songbirds. Some species little more about the birds in your area throughthe Mississippi our area flyway, every we spring have and many fall, have seen as much as an 80 percent as well as just getting out and enjoying so it offers the perfect opportunity nature. Some of these citizen science

decline since the late 1960’s while

Selfie station photo by Marija Eldon, Bird Walk Tour at the Denver Zoo, photo by Denver Zoo. Saint Louis Zoo

126 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The inspiration for the development of these interpretive signs was a book called: “Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants” by Douglas W. Tallamy, renowned Entomologist.

This book shows the intricate relationship of native plants to native caterpillars (and other invertebrates) and the dependence of birds to these caterpillars. Did you know that some species of native Oak trees are hosts to an astonishing 532 species of moth and butterfly caterpillars, where non-native boxwood or forsythia are host to only one? Or that it can take over 6000 caterpillars to fledge one clutch of chickadees? Unlike alien plants, all native plants have evolved with local soil critters and native wildlife and serve a critical purpose in the environment. They stabilize soil and rebuild it, help prevent flooding, hold carbon and give us oxygen. They create nest sites, they supply nectar and pollen for pollinators and leaves for the caterpillars which birds need for fat and protein for their nestlings. Best of all, native plants are also low maintenance. We hope our graphics and stories encourage people to consider growing native plants to help songbirds. Just by planting native wildflowers Many Thanks goes out to our Creative Design Services personnel, Greg Linton and Mary around your house, you can Brong who designed these beautiful graphics as well as to Ed Spevak, Ph.D., Curator of participate in conservation. Invertebrates, and Director of the Center for Native Pollinator Conservation.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 127 National Zoo, photo by Jim and Pam Jenkins National Zoo, photo by Jim and Pam Jenkins

projects that help experts determine to Plastic Pollution”. By contacting make things like seed bombs, pinecone important trends in bird populations feeders, and homemade binoculars. include; The Great Backyard Bird Count, environmentamericas.org), you can have accessEFTA via to their websitemany resources (WWW. such collisions, domestic cat predation and Bird Count and eBird challenges just to as banners, coloring sheets, education habitatDiscussing loss difficult as well astopics talking like about bird how nameProject a Feederfew. Watch, The Christmas activities, social media packets, posters visitors can help migratory birds simply and an array of other promotional by putting up bird feeders, encouraging Celebrating Migratory Bird Day in Zoos materials. They are happy to provide everyone to plant native plants that has gained momentum over the years these materials free of charge in order to support local bird life and buying shade and staff have enlisted the help of their easily encourage people to celebrate and grown coffee can empower visitors to education departments, partnered with they like to remind people, “every day is make worthwhile behavior changes. local Audubon centers, wildlife/wild Every year zoos and aquariums have bird rehab centers as well as their local Day to be celebrated almost year-round. over 180 million visitors collectively parks, to tell the amazing stories of bird bird day”, allowing World Migratory Bird come thru our gates, this allows us migration. By utilizing entities such as Some of the activities zoos do to ample opportunity to share information Environment for the Americas (EFTA), promote this include banding about bird populations and encourage they can help us focus by providing demonstrations, interactive maps yearly themes such as “Stopover Sites”, that show migration patterns, puppet native birds. “Restore Habitat. Restore Birds” and shows, offer shade grown coffee, animal simple actions that can benefit their “Why Birds Matter”. For 2019, the ambassadors, guided bird walks and No matter how or when theme is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution kids' craft stations where they can you celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, the National Zoo, photo by Jim and Pam Jenkins point is to celebrate! Have fun and engage as many people as you can. You can be the champion for Birds!

128 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Introduction Peer-reviewed research has estimated Raising Awareness that up to one billion birds are killed in the U.S. alone each year (Klem & Saenger,by bird-window 2013; Loss collisions et al., 2014). (BWCs) Birds About Bird-window play an important role in ecosystem functionality, and therefore, processes like pollination, seed dispersal, and decomposition would greatly decrease Collisions at Zoological as avian populations decline (Dirzo

Additionally, some species that have Facilities et al., 2014; Şekercioğlu et al., 2004). are considered to be national Birds ofbeen Conservation recorded as Concern victims (Lossof BWCs et al.,

demonstrate the need for raising more Kim Roth Nelson, Senior Bird Keeper 2014). All of these findings strongly San Diego Zoo San Diego, California toawareness perceive aboutglass asBWC a solid prevention. barrier due BWCs happen because birds are unable properties. This causes birds to fatally injureto its transparent themselves and/orwhile attempting reflective

haveto get been to habitat known seen to happen reflected anywhere in or thatthrough glass windows structures (Klem, exist 2008). and this BWCs includes zoological facilities (Kahle et Vertical-lined window film at San Diego Zoo. Photo by Kim Roth Nelson Based on multiple studies, it is largely believedal., 2016; that Sabo birds et al., are 2016). highly unlikely

two inches high and four inches wide to fly through a space that is less than helped create various window treatment applications(Klem & Saenger, that aid2013). in the This prevention finding has

to vary in terms of their effectiveness, aesthetics,of BWCs. These cost, treatmentsand permanence. are known

said to be bird density within the vicinityThe best of predictor glass, water, of BWCs vegetation, has been and food sources (Klem, 2008). In recent years, outdoor glass-viewing windows have become increasingly popular in zoo and aquarium settings as a safe and optimal way to let visitors view animals. Since many zoos and aquariums have large open exhibits that feature glass paneling, water sources, landscaping, and food availability, one might expect

at zoological facilities across North America.BWCs to beIn aorder common to determine occurrence whether this was true or not, I decided to conduct a survey examining the contribution of zoological facilities towards the

causation and prevention of BWCs.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 129 Methods An online survey was conducted in the

Group’sfall of 2016. Institutional A mass e-mail Representative was sent Listserv.out using This the Avianlistserv Scientific goes out Advisory to approximately 200 different zoological representatives across North America. In addition to looking at whether

tracked at each facility, one purpose ofthe the frequencies study was of to BWCs examine were how being many zoos and aquariums were using prevention methods, what kinds of window treatments they were using, if their treatments were effective, and what types of obstacles they were facing when attempting to install treatments. Another purpose of the study was to compare how location (i.e. urban, the use of preventative treatments (See two institutions said they were planning the frequency of collisions. The last Figure 1). goalsuburban, of the orsurvey rural was areas) to determineinfluenced if other reasons given for not keeping any facilities were conducting public Only 35% (n=21) of the facilities stated trackto start included recording not BWCs enough in timethe future, (n=4), that they were actively tracking the lack of protocol (n=3), lack of designated person (n=3), and it not being a priority Ioutreach requested on that the topicrepresentatives of BWCs. locations. The majority of facilities not (n=3). forward the survey on to whomever keepingnumber trackof BWCs stated happening that collisions at their were was most familiar with collisions at Sixty-three percent of the facilities their particular institution. This was usually a Bird Curator, Bird Manager, either not an issue (n=16) or were not or Pathologist. This request was a frequent enough issue (n=7). While (n=19) that were keeping track of BWCs done to prevent potential bias from multiple people within the same institution submitting responses since participation was kept anonymous. The survey was conducted online using Google Forms and the data collected was then downloaded to Microsoft

13 software was later used to run an ordinalExcel for logistic analyses. regression JMP Pro model. Version

Results Of the sixty zoological facilities that participated in the survey, 72% (n=43) reported they were using window treatments to prevent collisions. The reasons given for not using any window

an issue (n=10), were budget (n=5), treatments besides BWCs not being

frequentaesthetics enough (n=3), issueBWCs (n=1). being Individuala new vinylissue decals(n=1), suchand BWCs as hawk-shaped not being a or UV leaf patterns were by far the most

nextpopular most treatment popular options.(n=34). WindowAdditionally, film only(n=9) two and facilities Ornilux reportedglass (n=6) ever were the receiving any guest complaints about

130 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. been due to urban facilities acting as important stopover sites for birds during migration. This was also suggested

doesby Sabo not et mean al. (2016) that suburban in their study and rural at areasthe Virginia were in Zoo. the However, clear. In fact, this onefinding of the facilities with the highest frequency of collisions in this study was located within a rural area. I believe this may have been due to this particular facility having a large number of outdoor glass- viewing windows since research by Klem (2008), Hager et al. (2013), Borden et al. (2010), as well as this study, have found a positive correlation between collision frequency and total glass surface area. Additionally, Hager et al. (2017), found that collision mortality was greatest in rural areas that contained extensive lawns, few structures, and occasional large buildings. This description

zoological institutions. could definitely be applicable to many

facilities reported that they used window reported they received less than 25 Additionally, only 35% of the facilities treatments.Seventy-two However, percent (n=46) 34 of those of the collisions per year. Only four facilities said they were actually tracking the facilities were using individual decals reported collisions being greater such as hawk-shaped or UV leaf patterns than 50 per year with none greater facilities would therefore be basing their to prevent collisions. This method has than 100. In terms of location, there number of BWCs, so the remaining been found to be largely ineffective at mind, it is likely that most facilities were whether facilities were located in underestimatinganswers on impression the actual only. number With that of in spaced too far apart (Klem & Saenger, urban,was a significant suburban, difference or rural areas between with collisions since research has shown 2013).preventing BWCs since decals are often data suggesting that urban areas had due to them being hidden out of view Six facilities also reported the use of (See Figure 2). orthat removed BWC victims by scavengers often go undetected(Klem et al., UV glass, which is manufactured to significantly higher numbers of BWCs have a UV pattern that birds can see Additionally, facilities with more than while still appearing clear to humans. ten outdoor glass-viewing windows Urban2008; Kahlezoological et al., facilities 2016). were found However, Klem & Saenger (2013) found this method to be ineffective during times of low UV index such as early in were significantly more likely to to have significantly higher rates of Lastly,encounter only BWCs six facilities (See Figure said they3). BWCs. I believe this increase may have were conducting any public outreach

eleven facilities said they were planning toregarding do so in BWC the future. prevention. However,

Discussion Despite 23 respondents stating that collisions were not an issue or not a frequent enough issue at their facilities,

zoosit is difficult and aquariums. to truly assess Many facilitieshow large of decidedan issue notBWCs to participateare in North in American the survey,

take part, many decided to refrain American Woodcock found after window collision. Photo by Shane Good. fromand out answering of the 60 certain institutions questions. that did

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 131 local bird advocacy organizations. All of these options are relatively cheap and M.A., Anderson, M.L., Bakermans, M., Hager, S.B., Cosentino, B.J., Aguilar-Gómez, easy to do. 2017. Continent-wide analysis of how urbanizationBoves, T.J., and affects Calderón-Parra, bird-window R. collision mortality in North America. Biological Conservation 212:209-215. this article will help to create new Kahle, L.Q., Flannery, M.E., and Dumbacher, industryIn conclusion, standards I hope and the save findings many from birds’ lives. The application of a standardized J.P. 2016. Bird-Window Collisions at a method for tracking collisions as well fromWest-Coast Golden Urban Gate Park, Park SanMuseum: Francisco. Analyses PloS as promoting cheap and effective Oneof Bird Biology and Window Attributes prevention methods within the Klem, D. 2008. Avian mortality at windows: the second 11(1), e0144600.largest human source of bird mortality on Earth. Tundra to tropics: connecting birds, habitats and people. Forzoological more informationfield could do about just that. window Proceedings of the 4th International treatment options, please see the Partners in Flight Conference February 2008. McAllen, TX. following websites: , 13–16 American Bird Conservancy’s website Klem, D., and Saenger, P.G. 2013. Evaluating regarding collision prevention methods: the effectiveness of select visual signals to www.birdsmartglass.org prevent bird-window collisions. The Wilson AZA’s website regarding collision Journal of Ornithology ABC Tape, Photo Courtesy of Virginia Zoo prevention methods: https://www.aza. 2014. Bird-building collisions 125(2):406-411. in the United the morning. This is unfortunate since org/green-practices-bird-safe-buildings Loss,States: S.R., EstimatesWill, T., Loss, of annual S.S., and mortality Marra, P.P. and clear glass would be an excellent option species vulnerability. The Condor for the several facilities that stated 8-23. References 116(1): they were reluctant to add window C.F. 2014. The Role of Zoos in Modern Lyons, M.S. 2010. Seasonal, Taxonomic, and treatments for aesthetic reasons. As for Roe,Society—A K., McConney, Comparison A., and Mansfield, of Zoos’ Reported Borden,local habitat W.C., Lockhart, components O.M., of Jones, bird-window A.W., and the facilities that reported using other collisions on an urban university campus Should Be. Anthrozoös 27(4):529-541. in Cleveland, OH. The Ohio Journal of Sabo,Priorities A.M., Hagemeyer, and What Visitors N.D., Lahey, Believe A.S., They and glass, window wrap, and ABC Bird Tape, Science 110(3):44-52. alltreatments of those methodssuch as window were reported film, fritted as Dirzo, R., Young, H.S., Galetti, M., Ceballos, G., Isaac, N.B., and Collen, B. 2014. being effective at preventing collisions. strikes.Walters, PeerJ E.L. 2016. 4, e2170. Local avian density Defaunation in the Anthropocene. Science influences risk of mortality from window Despite the appearances of these P.R. 2004. Ecosystem consequences of Şekercioğlu,bird declines. Ç.H., Proceedings Daily, G.C. and of the Ehrlich, National 345(6195):401-406. different window treatments, only two Academy of Sciences 101(52). facilities reported receiving any guest Hager, S.B., Cosentino, B.J., McKay, K.J., spatialMonson, variation C., Zuurdeeg, in bird-window W., and Blevins, collisions B. in2013. an urban Window landscape. area and PloS development One 8(1). drive supports the use of window treatments incomplaints zoos and aboutaquariums them. regardless This finding of aesthetics. This also suggests that Educational Signage, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Photo by Amanda Carberry adding educational signage explaining why window treatments are needed

that said, only six zoos and aquariums saidwould that eliminate they were any providing guest concern. any public With

This was much less than I was expecting. However,outreach regardingeleven facilities BWC prevention. said they were planning to do so in the future, so this is quite promising. Roe et al. (2014) found that 80% of zoo visitors wanted to learn more about actions they could take at home to help with conservation, so hopefully, this paper’s

guests.findings Besides will encourage educational more signage, facilities to publicspread outreach awareness could about also BWCs include to their press

interactive displays, and partnering with releases, newsletters, blogs, flyers,

132 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Urban Refuge: Why Zoos are Important Green Spaces for Migrating Birds

Aniko Totha, Wild Animal Keeper Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo Bronx, New York

Introduction Establishing these areas caused the Scientists have found that bird species’ Ordinarily, the term ‘urban’ is based destruction of wild places and converted ability to adapt to urban environments on the density of the population, them into cities and industries. This can be behavioral, physiological, or administrative boundaries, and the urban transformation forces wild morphological. In some studies, birds’ amount of land development for human animals and plants out of their native ability to adapt to an urban landscape use (Francis & Chadwick, 2012). An habitats. Because of this, they have to is determined by their ability to breed urban area in the United States is an either find new green spaces to thrive (Francis & Chadwick, 2012). Birds’ 2. in, or adapt to the urban landscape. As a ability to breed includes opportunities According to these ‘urban standards’, result, several species now cross paths for copulation, successful copulation, areaabout that 80% outpaces of the US 186 population persons perlive km in with humans more frequently (Francis egg fertility, and decreased predation on urban areas (Francis & Chadwick, 2012). & Chadwick, 2012). The development eggs and chicks (Francis & Chadwick, As the human population continues of a natural area affects the resident 2012) Research suggests that some to grow, urban environments expand, wildlife directly and can create light avian species are ‘preadapted’ to urban transforming natural habitats into pollution, noise pollution, car collisions, landscapes (Francis & Chadwick, 2012). and habitat fragmentation, which It is known that some birds have more and other forms of development. in return also affect humans. Due to vocal variability which may indicate residential homes, office buildings, the urbanization of habitats, there that some species exhibit plasticity is an insufficient amount of green within urban environments (Francis space available for both humans and & Chadwick, 2012). Bird populations animals. Conserving and preserving that have exhibited adaptability have green spaces is essential in order to achieve environmental quality goals available in an urban environment for both humans and animals. Preserving (Parkerbenefited & fromNilon, the 2012). amount Populations of resources that green spaces also creates a more have synurbanized (adapted to urban appealing urban environment, not only environments) have displayed behaviors environmentally, but also economically of decreased fear of humans, increased competition, and changes in urban 2010). populations (Parker & Nilon, 2012). and socially (Ward, Parker, Shackleton, Birds in Urban Environments The Atlantic Coast migratory route, the (Resident and Migrant) The majority of research done on spring and fall is becoming increasingly the urbanization of fauna has been moreAtlantic urbanized flyway, that with birds every use year every that conducted on birds. passes. Research in bird mass suggests Tufted Titmouse. Photo by Eric Peterson. that urban landscapes prove to be

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 133 Common Redpoll. Photo by Eric Peterson.

Urban Zoos refuel and rest before they move on to Zoos within and around urban areas theira beneficial next point stopover (Seewagen site for & birds Slayton, to offer great opportunities for several wild curator of the ornithology department 2008, Seewagen, Slayton, Guglielmo, species to explore and utilize these green atIn the1910, Bronx Dr. William Zoo (The Beebe, Gale Group,the first 2010). Different species of migrating spaces. The global conservation work 2004), conducted a bird census on BZ birds utilize various areas of the forest, that zoos accomplish is incredible, but even if it is a small patch. Some species urban zoos maintaining green spaces can conservation and known as one of the found in the Northeastern U.S, like support hyperlocal conservation also. grounds. He was a pioneer in the field of thrushes (Turdidae) and thrashers Group, 2004). Although the methods (Mimidae) will mainly be found foraging visitors and residents to take advantage forfirst Beebe’s neotropical data collectionecologists are(The not Gale ofWild these birds zoos are as usually green spacesthe most within frequent a red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus) and city hub. surveyed zoo grounds as a birder with Northernon the forest parula floor. (Setophaga Others, like americana the ) acertain, pair of it binoculars is assumed and that a loveWilliam of birds. Beebe are both primarily found high in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s On Beebe’s census, 73 birds were noted. canopy. Other species are known to New(WCS) York Bronx City Zoo metropolitan (BZ) in Bronx, area. New The Today, 71 of those 73 species are still utilize all levels of the forest (Rinker, York is 265 acres of green space in the 2001). Research has also shown that is lined with old growth and secondary help of bird enthusiasts and Cornell Lab areas with invasive plants, high densities growthBronx River forest flows as well through as untouched the park and ofseen Ornithology’s today during e-bird.org the year. ,With about the 159 of birds, and destroyed natural habitat habitat. The Bronx Zoo also neighbors species of birds have been reported seen may create competition and put a strain the New York Botanical Gardens which is at the zoo since 1910. on the migrating birds’ ability to refuel 250 acres of land. The two together make (Seewagen & Slayton, 2008). Birds expel up over 500 acres of green space in the What’s Next? more energy and time at the stopover concrete jungle of New York, making it an As the human population grows, so sites looking for food than they do during important and established bird migratory waypoint (Seewagen & Slayton, 2008). increase in land development, we can depends on the richness and ability to For many years, birders have used the bedoes hopeful the rate that of theurbanization. interest in Withwildlife the refuelflight. Theduring success their ofstopovers the migration (Seewagen BZ green space to bird-watch and wait by the general public also increases et al., 2010). for sometimes rare sightings through the (Magle, Hunts, Vernon, & Crooks, 2012). migration season. The ecological role of urban landscapes

134 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. is growing in importance because of Since the beginning of human Aniko Totha is a wild animal keeper in the rate these landscapes are growing. settlement, birds have been demonstrating their ability to adapt, live, Zoo. She is currently working towards developers are slowly becoming more and thrive alongside us, excluding the herthe birdgraduate department degree throughat WCS’s Project Bronx awareWhen developingof consulting an with area, biologists land ones humans have hunted to extinction. and ecologists on the importance of As lands continue to be developed, the an area. Environmental mitigation need to monitor bird populations and to ReferencesDragonfly at Miami University. laws have been put into place so that stress the importance of green spaces City of New York. (n.d.). History of the Bronx within urban environments increases. Zoo. Retrieved November, 2017, from if development is taking place in one https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/ area, another nearby must be set aside Our human population will continue history/zoos/bronx-zoo as a green space (Magle et al., 2012). to grow, but that does not mean there ebird 2017. Bronx Zoo. Retrieved October Those green spaces have proven their aren’t ways to manage both our quality 30, 2017, from http://ebird.org/ebird/ importance to several species including of life along with wildlife’s quality of life. Fowle, M., and Kerlinger, P. 2001. The New Yorkhotspot/L692462?yr=all&m=&rank=mrec City Audubon Guide to Finding Birds to these green spaces within urban Is it possible for all urban zoos to set in the Metropolitan Area. Cornell University environmentsbirds and humans. include Some improvement benefits to aside green space for wild critters, birds Press air quality, pollination opportunities and migrating birds? Are other urban Francis, R.A., and Chadwick, M.A. 2012. zoos curious about what wild bird Applied (which means food for humans and Geography other wildlife), and mental health species roam their grounds? Let’s do What makes a species synurbic? more towards hyperlocal conservation 32(2):514-521. doi:10.1016/j. and encourage migrating birds to visit Recommendedapgeog.2011.06.013 Methods for Monitoring benefits for humans (Magle et al., 2012). urban zoos at stopover sites. Hussel,Bird PopulationsD.J., and Ralph, by CountingJ.C. 1998. and Capture of Migrants. Committee of the Migration Monitoring Council, 1-24. Magle, S.B., Hunts, V.M., Vernon, M., and Crooks, K.R. 2012. Urban wildlife research: Past, present, and future. Biological Conservation, 155:23-32.

Møller, A.P., Diaz, M., Flensted-Jensen, E., Grim, T., Ibáñez-Álamo, J.D., Jokimäki, timingJ., . . . Tryjanowski, of urbanization. P. 2012. Oecologia High urban 170(3): population density of birds reflects their

L.S.867-875. 2008. doi:10.1007/s00442-012-2355-3 Reproductive Success of House Newhouse, M.J., Marra, P.P., and Johnson, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120(1): Wrens in Suburban and Rural Landscapes. Parker, T.S., and Nilon, C.H. 2012. Urban landscape99-104. doi:10.1676/06-156.1 characteristics correlated with the synurbization of wildlife. Landscape and Urban Planning

106(4):316-325. Changesdoi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.04.003 Of Migratory Landbirds During Seewagen,Stopovers C.L., In andA New Slayton, York CityE.J. 2008. Park. TheMass Wilson Journal of Ornithology

120(2):296- C.G.303. 2010. doi:10.1676/07-087.1 Passerine migrant stopover Seewagen,duration C.L., and Slayton, spatial behaviour E.J., and Guglielmo, at an urban stopover site. Acta Oecologica

36(5):484- Retrieved492. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2010.06.005 November 22, 2017, from Thehttp://www.encyclopedia.com/people/ Gale Group. 2004. William Beebe. science-and-technology/zoology- biographies/william-beebe

C.M. 2010. The use and appreciation of Ward,botanical C.D., Parker, gardens C.M., as urbanand Shackleton, green spaces in South Africa. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening ufug.2009.11.001 9(1):49-55. doi:10.1016/j.

Bullock's Oriole. Photo by Eric Peterson.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 135 Importance of Monitoring North American Songbird Populations in Urban Areas Rachel Santymire Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL

Anthropogenic activities are affecting off. Finally, urban exploiters thrive used, which could kill necessary prey, wildlife populations at a global on human resources. These species such as insects, in addition to being scale whether it is climate change generally are not native and are found endocrine disruptors and affecting avian or changing the landscape through in homogenized landscapes throughout reproductive success (Ottinger et al., urban development. In order to thrive, the world (reviewed in McKinney, wildlife will need to adapt to the 2002). Some examples of avian urban scarce because of the water run-off rapidly changing environment through exploiters include American crows 2002). Water availability may become alterations in behavior and other (Corvus brachyrhynchos), house sparrow 2003). Cities are also known to be physical traits. Species that do not (Passer domesticus), European starling from impervious surfaces (Arnfield, adapt to the changing landscape may (Sturnus vulgaris) and rock pigeons in the colder climates, but could risk extirpation. An example of an avian (McKinney, 2002; Bonier, 2012). alterheat-islands, resource which availability. could be Another beneficial urban adapter is the peregrine falcon cost of urban areas is light pollution. (Falco peregrinus). It uses buildings For birds, converting the landscape from Light at night may be perceived as to perch and nest while hunting rock its native features and functions with an extended photoperiod disrupting pigeons (Columba livia) (Chace and more urban structures and human- reproduction and/or behaviors, such use areas, may limit the availability of as migration and breeding. Finally, it able to cope (i.e. urban avoiders) will resources. For example, native shrubs needWalsh, to 2006). disperse Species away fromthat are the not city and trees may be replaced with grassy due to communication disruption or may experience population die frommay be the more anthropogenic difficult to noisefind a frommate

fields, like parks. Pesticides may be

Male Red-winged Blackbird. Photo by Dr. Valerie Buxton.

136 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Red-winged Blackbird nest, nestling, and fledgling. Photos by Dr. Valerie Buxton

response in wildlife. Typically, when birds is to analyze fecal glucocorticoid urban structures. Conversely, there are something is perceived as stressful, metabolites (Palme et al., 2005). GCs are traffic and blocked or deflected calls by a cascade of hormonal events occur steroid hormones and after they have landscape including anthropogenic food internally. In the brain, the hypothalamus activated their target tissues, the body sources,some benefits like trash, to a human-dominatedbirdfeeders and/or releases corticotrophin releasing rids them by making them hydrophilic hormone. This causes the anterior so that they can be excreted in feces of the urban ecosystem may be lack of pituitary to release adrenocorticotrophic and urine. Therefore, fecal hormone predatorsornamental and plantings. possibly Anothercompetitors. benefit hormone, which travel via the blood Unfortunately, the effects of urbanization stream to the cortex of the adrenal prior stress response of an individual on most avian species is not known glands; this is the HPA-axis. This is where metabolite concentrations reflect a (Evans et al., 2015; Meillere et al., glucocorticoids (GC; stress hormones previously depending on the species 2015). However, we know that wildlife like cortisol and corticosterone) are (Palmethat could et al., have 2005). occurred 6 to 72 hours are able to cope with changes in their produced. These stress hormones will environment, such as urbanization, circulate in the blood to target tissues Feathers also provide an opportunity to through behavioral and physiological like the heart and brain to help the study a bird’s stress physiology. Feathers changes. individual cope with the stressor, such are composed of the protein keratin and are highly vascularized during At Lincoln Park Zoo, we have been adaptive response and depends on past growth and maintenance. Because of studying urban wildlife for 10 years experiencesas fleeing from that a predator.results in individualsThis is an the exposure to the blood, compounds, and have an entire science center, having variable reactions and may like hormones, will be deposited in eventually habituate to the stressor. the feathers during growth (Bortolotti to understanding the interaction Conversely, an individual may not be et al., 2008). Unlike feces, hormones betweenthe Urban urban Wildlife development Institute, devoted and able to cope and may have repeated or extracted from feathers provide a longer- Male Red-winged Blackbird. Photo by Dr. Valerie Buxton. the natural ecosystem to develop chronic stress response. The long-term term, retrospective measure of stress scientific standards for minimizing stimulation of the HPA axis may lead physiology. But similar to feces, birds do conflict between these overlapping to suppression of the immune system, not have to be handled to get the samples areas. This supports the zoo’s vision, reproductive inhibition, lower cognitive since feathers found in the nest can be which is to inspire communities to ability and poorer body condition used. create environments where wildlife (Sapolsky et al., 2000; Romero, 2002). will thrive in our urbanizing world. In Recently, I teamed up with Dr. Monitoring GC production is a valid Valerie Buxton, then a PhD student Institute, my work at the Davee Center method to study how wildlife are at the University of Illinois Urbana forpartnership Epidemiology with theand Urban Endocrinology Wildlife responding to the changing environment. Champaign, and her advisor, Dr. at Lincoln Park Zoo studies wildlife However, it is pertinent not to stress responses to urbanization by the individual when collecting samples with the Illinois Natural History Survey, measuring hormones, which are to study its stress physiology. In small toThomas determine J. Benson, how urbanizationwho is also affiliated was chemical messengers that serve mammals and birds, GCs from handling affecting the red-winged blackbird as the mediators between internal stress can be measured in blood within (Agelaius phoeniceus) in Illinois. The (i.e. physiological) and external (i.e. two to three minutes (Romero and Reed, advantage of studying birds is locating behavioral) reactions. 2005). Therefore, non-invasive methods nests, which could provide valuable of measuring GCs have developed over information on habitat preference The urban ecosystem poses many the years. One technique that has been and reproductive success (clutch size, challenges that would elicit a stress used to study stress in mammals and

hatching and fledging success). Nests

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 137 also provide opportunities to observe falling into the ecological trap in the recreational activities in the hopes that behavior and sample birds. During rural areas because other birds have people will observe wildlife and value its the summers of 2012 and 2013, Dr. chosen that habitat. However, we need presence. Buxton conducted bird surveys on 30 more research to determine the signals grassland sites along an urban to rural that are cues to birds when evaluating References gradient in forest preserve districts habitat quality in urban areas. of Northeast Illinois, including Cook, climate research: a review of turbulence, Arnfield,exchanges A.J. 2003. of energy Two and decades water, of and urban the DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties, More research is needed to determine urban heat island. International journal of which make up the Chicagoland area. the impact of urbanization on birds. climatology In nine of those sites, she searched for Because most zoos are located in or near Bonier, F. 2012. Hormones in the city: nests and recorded eggs or nestlings cities, we can help to determine how endocrine ecology 23(1):1-26. of urban birds. Hormones every three days until the nestlings anthropogenic activities are affecting and Behavior 61(5):763-772. Bortolotti, G.R., Marchant, T.A., Blas, J. and fledged or the nest failed. A nest was German, T. 2008. Corticosterone in feathers considered a failure when there were bird point counts across the year. Zoos is a long‐term, integrated measure of avian signs of predation. From three urban canbirds. communicate Specifically, the we importancecan conduct and stress physiology. Functional Ecology 22(3): patches and three rural patches, 494-500. Buxton, V.L., Santymire, R.M. and nestlings, between five to nine days to zoo visitors about best practices for Benson, T.J. 2018. Mixed effects of old, were weighed, tarsus length was feedingenjoyment birds, of urbansuch as birds. how Weto keep can talk a urbanization on density, nest survival, measured and fecal samples were birdfeeder clean, which native shrubs and nestling corticosterone of a generalist collected. Sites were classified as passerine. Ecosphere 9(12):p.e02517. urban if they had greater than 59% indoors and how to prevent window Chace, J.F. and Walsh, J.J. 2006. Urban effects on native avifauna: a review. Landscape and developed cover compared to <14% would be beneficial, keeping our cats urban planning 74(1):46-69. in rural sites. Hormonal metabolites the habitat for birds and determine if Evans, B.S., Ryder, T.B., Reitsma, R., Hurlbert, were extracted from the feces and andstrikes. how We they can are create using and/or it. Zoos evaluate may A.H. and Marra, P.P. 2015. Characterizing analyzed on a corticosterone enzyme even serve as a safe haven for many avian survival along a rural‐to‐urban land use gradient. Ecology 96(6):1631-1640. immunoassay at Lincoln Park birds species because we monitor McKinney, M.L. 2008. Effects of urbanization Zoo’s Davee Center Endocrinology and control the number of threats, on species richness: a review of plants and Laboratory (Buxton, Santymire and animals. Urban ecosystems 11(2):161-176. Benson, 2019). need to be cautious and prevent the Meillère, A., Brischoux, F., Parenteau, C. and introductionlike predators, of on disease grounds. to our We collection do Angelier, F. 2015. Influence of urbanization on body size, condition, and physiology In the two years, ~3,800 red-winged that may stem from wild birds. And in an urban exploiter: a multi-component blackbirds were counted across the we can do this by not establishing approach. PloS One 10(8):p.e0135685. 30 sites in Chicagoland. Population natural habitat near our collection Ottinger, M.A., Abdelnabi, M., Quinn, M., species. For example, at Lincoln Park Golden, N., Wu, J. and Thompson, N. 2002. Reproductive consequences of EDCs in the urban development of the site Zoo, we have created a natural setting, birds: What do laboratory effects mean withdensity the was highly negatively developed influenced sites having by Nature Boardwalk, on zoo grounds that in field species? Neurotoxicology and the lowest population density. Dr. provides native habitat for wildlife and teratology 24(1):17-28. for human recreational activities. Native Palme, R., Rettenbacher, S., Touma, C., El‐Bahr, that nest survival depended upon plantings and structures have allowed S.M. and Möstl, E. 2005. Stress hormones in mammals and birds: comparative theBuxton year, located patch size 216 and nests the and amount found wildlife to have a place among our zoo aspects regarding metabolism, excretion, of development. Interestingly, nest animals and people. and noninvasive measurement in fecal survival was greater in more developed samples. Annals of the New York Academy of urban sites. Both brood parasitism and In conclusion, it is important to Sciences 1040(1):162-171. Romero, L.M. 2002. Seasonal changes in fecal corticosterone metabolites were understand the impact of urbanization plasma glucocorticoid concentrations in free- higher in rural sites. However, clutch living vertebrates. General and comparative quality was better in the urban sites endocrinology 128(1):1-24. lengths were similar across the urban versuson wildlife. rural; We however, found that the thered-winged habitat Romero, L.M. and Reed, J.M. 2005. Collecting andsize, rural fledging sites. success, weight and tarsus blackbirds were not selecting the baseline corticosterone samples in the field: is under 3 min good enough?. Comparative prime habitat (Buxton, Santymire and Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: These results pose the question of Molecular & Integrative Physiology 140(1): why red-winged blackbirds, a habitat the cues that signal habitat quality to, 73-79. generalist, are not taking advantage inBenson, the future, 2019). attract We need wildlife to determine to urban Sapolsky, R.M., Romero, L.M. and Munck, A.U. 2000. How do glucocorticoids influence of the urban environment. Here, areas. Zoos can play an important role stress responses? Integrating permissive, these urban sites seem to provide in monitoring bird populations in urban suppressive, stimulatory, and preparative greater habitat quality with lower nest settings and on zoo grounds. Zoos also actions. Endocrine reviews 21(1):55-89. predation, brood parasitism and nestling can provide habitat and a safe haven for native birds. Here at Lincoln Park Zoo higher population density in the rural we provide habitat for birds and other sites,fecal corticosteroneDr. Buxton postulates metabolites. that it Withmay wildlife species in a highly urbanized be a misconception and that birds are area, but also provide areas for human

138 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 139 Fat Scoring Captive North American Migratory Songbirds Sarah Steele, Animal Keeper Smithsonian’s National Zoo Washington, DC

Elizabeth Fisher, Animal Keeper Smithsonian’s National Zoo Washington, DC

Figure 1. The ESF fat scoring system from The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is Ringers' Manual (Redfern and Clarke, 2001) preparing for a one of a kind bird exhibit our nutritionist and veterinarians to Fat techniques. We worked closely with Description that is currently under construction. monitor diet consumption and body Score Called “Experience Migration”, this 0 no visible fat. exhibit will focus on migratory better than a low weight as we ironed songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl outcondition. the details We decided of their adiets high and weight care. was Dark red of the Americas. In preparation for this 1 F: wide wedge of fat. exhibit, the National Zoo has brought scores, which showed our songbirds We routinely performed body condition A: trace of fat. in many new species of migratory songbirds that few, if any, AZA zoos we noticed visible fat deposits on many Light red currently have in their collections. This ofwere our in birds. excellent Animal flying Keeper form. Sarah However, Steele 2 F: completely covered but deeply concave. shift has highlighted many things that had former experience with banding make migratory songbirds unique. As birds and performing fat scores on wild A: slips of fat. these birds transitioned from the wild to Light yellow our collection, we had many questions this type of scoring system into our passerines. We began to incorporate 3 F: moderate fat reserves cover ends of inter- to answer. How much food should be husbandry and soon realized that clavicles but concave. body condition score was not a good weight? Migratory songbirds go through indication of overall health for migratory A: flat or slightly bulging pad. presented to them? What is a healthy passerines. Light yellow doubling their weight in preparation for seasonal weight fluctuations, sometimes 4 F: filled up to far end of clavicles. migration, then losing weight during the different ways to fat score birds. There A: covered by clearly bulging pad of fat. still occurs without the associated isWe no quickly one system learned of fatthere scoring were thata lot all of journey. In a zoo setting, this fluctuation Yellow migration following it to reduce the 5 F: convex bulge, perhaps overlapping breast banders use in the field (Dunn, 2003). muscles. published in the U.S. Department unhealthy?weight. What was normal for seasonal We started with the scoring system A: extreme convex bulge. fluctuations in weight and what was methods for monitoring landbirds” of Agriculture’s “Handbook of field Yellow (Ralph et al., 1993). This was an effective migratory songbirds joined our system, but left room for individual 6 F and A: fat covering breast muscles by several When the first seven species of mm. interpretation. For example, one keeper began to gain weight over the summer may score a bird as a six, but another 7 F and A: ¾ of breast muscles covered. andcollection fall. This in theweight spring gain of was 2016, within they our Yellow expectations for their natural seasonal keeper interprets “greatly” or “slightly” might decide on a five based on how the 8 F and A: breast muscles not visible. behavior in preparation for migration. Our number one goal with these new less room for variation. Since our birds Yellow birds was to keep them thriving in our usuallybulging. had We largerneeded fat a stores,system it that was left also care as we learned the best husbandry important to us to be able to distinguish (F=Furcular region or tracheal pit; A=Abdomen)

140 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Table 1 Shows how weights and fat scores do not always correlate to each other and can change rapidly. both our catching protocols as well as our understanding of what a high fat Individual Date Weight (g) Fat score Scarlet Tanager 1 5-Dec-17 50.7 7 times based on the size of the exhibit (Piranga olivacea) 28-Feb-18 50.7 6 andscore individual could mean. behavior We now during limit the our catch 24-Dec-18 46 5 Scarlet Tanager 2 as open mouth breathing and plan on 31-Dec-18 46.1 6 catchingcatch. We birds watch that for are signs known of stress to be such more Wood Thrush 27-May-18 49.8 3 (Hylocichla mustelina) water on hand as a boost for any bird 26-Sept-18 53.4 2 thatstress-prone begins open first. mouth We also breathing keep sugar either during or after the catch. In the case of the ovenbird, the high weight and fat the range of high fat scores. Eventually, there is no way to judge a fat score based score was taken in April; this is right in we settled on the ESF scoring system as the middle of migration season when we found in the Ringers’ Manual (Redfern when the bird weighed the same amount would expect high weights. However, this and Clarke, 2001) (Figure 1). This had atonly two on different weight. Wetimes have and seen the instancesfat score ovenbird had also been at a high weight clear descriptions of the fat deposits and varied. Even in as little as a week the fat (as much as 30 grams) since at least had enough variation for the high scores score will change, but the weight stays to meet our needs. the same (Table 1). songbirds diet reductions when they have maintainedthe previous high October. weights We longernow give than our a few weeks or whenever they score a 4 or questions we started with when we unhealthy sustained high fat stores could higher on the Ringers’ Manual (Redfern beganFat scoring taking has care clarified of migratory many of songbirds. the beWe when learned we how lost andangerous ovenbird and (Seiurus and Clarke, 2001) ESF scale. Now that The use of fat scores allows us to see aurocapilla we have more information about each when a bird is in a healthy condition or of 7 on the Ralph et al. (1993) scale and songbird species from the time they’ve obese. Body condition scoring can show weighed 27) grams. that was A wildscored ovenbird at a 6 out can spent in our collection we monitor each healthy muscle condition, but unless bird within its individual weight range. the bird is at the most extreme limits of About Birds, 2017) meaning that this was For example, we may expect one ovenbird obesity, it doesn’t show the whole picture. withinbe between our expected 16 grams weight and 28 range grams but (All on to be between 17 and 24 grams and the high end. This ovenbird had so much another to be between 18 and 25 grams. condition score, but have a fat score too fat stored that it may have compressed or highWe have for their had birds health. score Fat scoresa perfect are body also crowded the air sacs leading to decreased High fat scores call for a diet reduction, useful, as weight alone cannot tell us respiratory capacity. He died after a but low fat scores don’t necessarily lead everything either, as we have learned that prolonged catch which led us to modify

Abdominal fat store of a common yellowthroat Elizabeth Fisher fat scoring Baltimore oriole (Icterus Fercular fat store of a common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) scored a 5 on Ringers' Manual galbula). Photo by Sarah Steele. (Geothlypis trichas) scored a 5 on Ringers' Manual scale. Photo by Elizabeth Fisher. scale. Photo by Elizabeth Fisher.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 141 Sarah Steele fat scoring ovenbird. Photo by Elizabeth Fisher. Side fat store of a common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Photo by Elizabeth Fisher. to a diet increase. A fat score of 0, which (SMBC), to see how the fat scores of the and as our collection grows. It will be indicates no visible fat, does not mean migratory songbirds in our collection of critical importance to ensure the correspond to the fat scores of wild best care possible for these birds to migratory songbirds. Since most ensure longevity, health, and sustainable scorethe bird of 1has or no2 to fat be stores a good (Ścisłowska score and a banders, including those in SMBC, use captive populations. and Busse, 2005). We consider a low a variety of scales, we are unable to score a bird at a 0 we look at historic compare our scores to theirs at this weights0 can still and be fatacceptable. scores for Whenever comparison. we References If the weight is low and the fat score is scale that works for the birds in our All About Birds: Ovenbird. c2017. The Cornell low, then we increase the diet. But if the time. In the future, we hope to find a Lab of Ornithology. [Accessed 3/1/2019] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ fat score is low and the weight is normal, have, however, been able to incorporate Ovenbird/id we closely monitor the bird’s behavior deceasedcollection wildas well songbirds as the SMBC. found We on zoo Bairlein, F. 2002. How to get fat: and how much food they are eating grounds into our data set by teaching Nutritional mechanisms of seasonal fat before deciding whether the diet needs our pathologists to score fat deposits accumulation in migratory songbirds. to be increased. using the ESF system from the Ringer’s Naturwissenschaften. 89(1). https:// link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2 Manual. This will give us an idea of Determining the best care for migratory normal fat score ranges for wild birds Deviche, P. 1992. Testosterone and opioids passerines is an ongoing process. using consistent techniques. interactFs00114-001-0279-6 to regulate feeding in a male Currently, we are able to get regular migratory songbird. Hormones and Behavior. https://www. voluntary weights and quarterly hands There is still a lot to learn about the sciencedirect.com/science/article/ on fat scores in order to monitor body smallest members of our bird collection. 26(3):394-405. Dunn, E. 2003. Recommendations for Fat our new ‘Experience Migration’ exhibit while our birds are in holding and we Scoring.pii/0018506X9290009K North American Bird Bander. opens,condition these and birds adjust will diet be iftransferred needed. When haveWe need easier to continueaccess to collectingweights and data fat https://sora.unm. to large indoor aviaries where they scores. Then we need to go through the April-June 2003. will be living with many other birds edu/sites/default/files/journals/nabb/ including Psittacines, Galliforms, and rather than looking at general trends v028n02/p0058-p0063.pdf. Columbiforms. This means they will data in a statistical and scientific way, Ralph,methods C.J., Geupel, for monitoring G.R., Pyle, landbirds. P., Martin, General T.E., and DeSante, D.F. 1993. Handbook of field have access to many different diets and at the seasonal variability and work with that catching them for fat scores will be ourand nutritionistanecdotal evidence. to see how We diet need changes to look Station,Technical Forest Report Service, PSW-GTR-144-www. U.S. Department of challenging. During the time we have have affected their weight and fat scores. Agriculture.Albany, CA: Pacific Page 20. Southwest Research now to prepare for our new exhibit If weight gain or loss is hormonal or we want to use fat scores to formulate seasonal, then there are more factors at Manual. Thetford: British Trust for Redfern,Ornithology C.P.F., and(BTO). Clarke, J.A. 2001. Ringers’ the best diet to maintain healthy work than simply the amount of food they have access to (Deviche, 1992; and body mass in some passerines experimenting with diet options, nutrient Bairlein, 2002). That may mean that Ścisłowskamigrating M., in and autumn Busse through P. 2005. the Fat southern reserves body conditions. We are currently during parts of the year, we need to take Baltic coast. The Ring 27(3):31. https:// www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/ undoubtedly continue as long as we care other action to prevent our birds from ring.2005.27.issue-1/v10050-008-0014-1/ forprofiles, these and birds. insect amounts. This will storing an unhealthy amount of fat. v10050-008-0014-1.pdf Our research continues on these birds and likely will always be part of their database to include information from theWe alsoSmithsonian plan to expand Migratory our Birdfat scoring Center our care protocols as we learn more husbandry. We will continue modifying

142 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. One billion. This is the number of birds that die by building collisions annually in the U.S. alone. Imagine the number

face migratory birds from pesticides to climateglobally? change With the to habitat many threats loss and that more, Saving Songbirds it can seem overwhelming, but as keepers conserving and educating about these threats is just part of the job. Reducing the number of bird deaths by collisions from Strikes and educating the public at the same time can be achieved by instituting bird- Lindsay Jacks friendly buildings and exhibit glass on Director zoo and aquarium grounds. Lights Out Baltimore To adopt bird-friendly buildings, most birds need a visual barrier every 2 inches horizontal and 4 inches vertical. Hummingbirds due to their size need a visual barrier every 2 x 2 inches. Temporary solutions on glass can be designs or patterns created by using chalk markers or Tempera paint. Using soapy water on exhibit glass during migration months is a method used by Lincoln Park Zoo. Another simple method is placing tarps over exhibit glass at night until opening the following morning to prevent any nighttime or early morning collisions which are common during migration.

The next step in preventing bird strikes year around is applying permanent solutions. There are several products to achieve a long-lasting effort. ABC BirdTape was used creatively by three artists on exhibit glass at Virginia Zoo. Acopian Birdsavers, a hanging paracord also known as “Zen curtains” are installed on the exterior of a window with a horizontal beam at the top and cords vertically every four inches. The cords can be left hanging or secured on the bottom with another horizontal beam. You can order from the Birdsavers website or make your own. These cheap and easy to install Birdsavers are best to

use on zoo office windows or less guest- trafficked areas. large buildings or exhibit glass can be purchasedBird-friendly in fullfilms sheets, used tocut cover out to create designs, custom printed, or in simple shapes like dots or squares. CollidEscape, Feather Friendly® produced by 3M, and Solyx® Bird-Safety Films are commonly

in a full sheet or a small dot pattern. Full used films. CollidEscape can be presented

sheets of CollidEscape is a one-way film

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 143 Use of Solyx film. Image by Akron Zoo

preserving the view while preventing

is perfect to custom print your logo, anbird aquatic collisions scene on for the an exterior. aquarium, This or film a nature scene for a zoo. Feather Friendly markers printed by 3M is a two-way

printed. The National Aquarium installed thiscommercial product filmin a thatcustom can design also be dot custom and geometrical pattern. In addition

Thisto custom method designed was beautifully film, decals executed can be by Akroncreated Zoo. from the film into desired shapes.

bird-safe glass into the construction The sky’s the limit with installing 10-year warranty, the most cost-effective of new buildings on zoo/aquarium temporary or permanent bird-friendly overWhile time the andmajority permanent of the filmssolution have to a grounds. Bird-safe glass is designed with products, creating signage, and educating prevent bird collisions is implementing ultraviolet striping inside three-panel guests about the threat of bird collisions. glass or manufactured with an acid If every zoo and aquarium adopted Peacock design using ABC BirdTape. bird-safe buildings/exhibits and inspired Image by Virginia Zoo etching to create the visual barriers that ®, guests with their practices, the number of Viracon Fritted Glass, and GlasPro Bird 1 billion would begin to shrink. birdsSafe Glass need. are Walker products Glass designed Aviprotek to prevent bird collisions and approved by References American Bird Conservancy. Klem, D., and Saenger, P.G. 2013. Evaluating the effectiveness of select visual signals to prevent bird-window collisions. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology new building with bird-safe glass or simplyWhether adds your soapy institution water todesigns exhibit a glass Bird-building collisions125(2):406-411. in the United States: during migration, the vital component Loss,Estimates S.R., Will, of T.,annual Loss, mortalityS.S., & Marra, and P.P.species 2014. is educating the public with signage. vulnerability. The Condor American Bird Conservancy: www. Explaining what collisions are and how birdsmartglass.org 116(1):8-23. this installation is saving birds can inspire guests to do the same at their own home. You can go a step further by adding samples of homeowner products and informational sheets about collisions. The education department can create an activity for guests, summer camps, or host

decals to a window at your institution. it at World Migratory Bird Day to install

144 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The Happiest Place on Earth for Purple Martins (Progne subis)

John Thomton, Animal Keeper Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Lake Buena Vista, Florida

in mid-air. Immediately upon landing, she disappears into her nest. Another

nest, in a perfect spot where I can readmale theflies numbers in and lands on his at lega neighboring band through my scope: D 151. I quickly jot the numbers down on my data sheet.

with a tracking device, along with his legTwo band. years He ago, traveled this bird to thewas Amazon outfitted region of northern Brazil and back with that tracking device before he was re-captured last year and the device was removed. It’s great to see a bird returning again that has contributed so much to what we know about Purple Martin migrations. Near the end of my 30-minute observation period, a Photo 1. Two adult male Purple Martins (left and center) and an adult female Purple Martin (right). Purple Martin begins a loud alarm call, and most of the colony takes to the air. It’s 9:30 AM and the sun is already hot on the Purple Martin nesting colony I look up and discover the reason for on a humid, Florida morning. The local about 20m in front of me. Several the distress: a dark morph Short-tailed birds make their territories known birds are sitting in front of their nest Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) is hovering entrances, while a handful more are high overhead. Several of the adults gain winged Dove (Zenaida asiatia), Carolina perched above the nests. Their chirps altitude and begin diving at the predator, in song.Thryothorus Among others ludovicianus I hear White-) and and chattering are nearly constant. which eventually soars off to the west. Setophaga The beautiful, iridescent, purple-blue All of this bird drama isn’t playing out in dominicaWren ( ). A Limpkin (Aramus plumage of an adult male shimmers the middle of a huge swath of protected guaranaYellow-throated) walks alongWarbler on the( other in the sunlight as he furiously preens habitat. Instead, it’s happening along a side of a waterway from where I’m on his perch. A brown female appears golf course at Disney’s Sarasota Springs standing. Equipped with binoculars from behind me and wheels around and a spotting scope, my mission on the colony on the wing; she is carrying this early May morning is to check Resort and Spa at the Walt Disney World Resort (WDW) in Central Florida. a large dragonfly she has just caught

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 145 Because of the unique history of people and Purple Martins, zoos have the opportunity to play a key role in Purple Martin conservation. In Eastern North America, Purple Martins largely depend on humans for nesting sites. Nobody knows exactly how or why this began, but there is evidence that Native Americans put out gourds for these birds to use as nesting sites in their villages long before Europeans arrived. The practice caught on among humans and birds, and today, Purple Martins east of the Rockies prefer to nest in bird houses and are highly tolerant of human activity.

swallows carry out their daily routines amongstAt WDW, thethese millions cavity-nesting, of Disney large guests that share their “home” for the nesting Photo 2. Two-day-old Purple Martin chicks. By the time they are 26-days-old, they are the size of adults and season. The population here has grown ready to fly.

Theresignificantly are now since 19 housesthe group split of betweenanimal sixkeepers colonies put thatup the are first spread couple across houses. two theme parks (Disney’s Animal Kingdom® and Epcot®), two resorts (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa), and Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. In 2018,

nests which collectively contained 849 eggs.WDW’s Purple Martin houses hosted 188

Keeping track of all of those nests is a monumental task. Mounted on poles and holding between 18-24 nesting

Martin houses are lowered twice weeklycompartments, to check all on of each WDW’s individual Purple compartment. The adult birds nesting at each house are observed twice each Photo 3. Disney employees at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa at the 2018 Purple Martin Palooza. week through spotting scopes to identify returning birds and record data on their For a birder like me who has spent conservation program that involves movement and behavior. Our team does most of his professional career as an not have enough labor to cover all of animal keeper, getting to do this kind and lines of business. Everyone from that monitoring on a consistent basis, of work has been a dream come true. animalWDW employees husbandry from staff many to merchandise locations but rather than being a limitation of the For a little over a year, I have been on and guest activities personnel help with program, this has been an opportunity temporary assignment with the Purple the monitoring, and many guests have Martin Program, which is coordinated the opportunity to learn about Purple helping to care for our Purple Martins. by Disney’s Animals, Science and Martins through the program each year. Eachto engage house employees has a team across of people WDW who in Environment (ASE) team. In 2005, the Moreover, through partnerships and are trained by the ASE team to monitor animal keepers at Disney’s Animal collaboration with groups like the Purple Purple Martin nests. Many of these Kingdom® (our zoo) decided to take Martin Conservation Association and the people do not work with animals action to help this declining species by National Institute of Amazonian Research directly in their everyday jobs, but they installing a couple of houses behind-the- in Brazil, we have continued to grow have committed to using a portion of and support research and conservation their work day to actively participate in animal care professionals occasionally efforts for the species throughout the the conservation of this beautiful and checkingscenes. What nests began has grown as a few and concerned bloomed Americas. charismatic bird.

into a full-blown scientific study and

146 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Conservation Association and with Dr. Kevin Fraser from the University of Manitoba, some birds are selected to receive GPS tracking devices, which are worn like tiny fanny packs. Each year, one of the highlights of Palooza is recapturing birds with tracking devices to learn about movements locally

and at their non-breeding grounds in thearound Amazon WDW region as well of asnorthern on migration Brazil. Through these tracking efforts, we have learned that it takes a Purple Martin about three weeks to make the 3000- mile journey to Brazil in the summer after nesting, and about the same amount of time to return to Central Florida in late winter.

Photo 4. Two young guests at Epcot® stop to see a Purple Martin nest check at the International Flower and nesting season, we hope you’ll stop by to Garden Festival. seeIf you’re our amazing ever visiting Purple WDW Martins during hanging their out near their nests or join us for a nest check. But you don’t have to come all the The Purple Martin Program has proven comes to band them, we cover the way to Central Florida to see them. The to not just captivate and engage our entrance to each nesting compartment good news is that despite their decline, monitors, but other audiences as in the middle of the night when they are Purple Martins are still widespread and sleeping so each adult Purple Martin can found in many areas of North America. the program often stop and ask what be removed and banded the following Putting up houses for them, especially in well. WDW staff not associated with monitors are doing. During the nesting morning. This sets the stage for the the eastern half of the US, is a great way ® season at Epcot , advertised nest checks Purple Martin Program’s signature to help this species and to get the word annual outreach and research event that out about the importance of conserving Flower and Garden Festival and resorts we lovingly refer to as “Purple Martin migratory birds. withare an Purple annual Martin fixture houses of the alsoInternational have Palooza.” nest checks that are promoted to guests. An ASE team member is always on- During the three weeks of Palooza in area or not, what would it look like for hand to interpret what is happening late April and early May, the ASE team yourWhether zoological Purple institution Martins breed to have in your bird at the check to curious visitors, and creates a mobile banding station and guests have a very good chance of travels to each Purple Martin house your guests can see them? Moreover, seeing eggs or chicks in one of the nest whathouses kinds that ofbenefitted citizen science wild birds initiatives where compartments. Many people have never put up banners and signs, and encourage could your zoo participate in on your across WDW. We set up tents and tables, seen a wild bird so closely. Seeing the employees and guests to stop by and see own property or in the city where you are guests’ faces light up when they get to science in action. Team members that located? Impactful contributions towards are banding birds answer questions as the conservation of declining wildlife one of the highlights of my job! they work, while interpreters chat with do not require a trip around the world. peek into a nest for the first time is truly All of the nesting data we gather visitors about Purple Martin natural They can happen within the grounds is shared with the Purple Martin of your own zoological institution. The Conservation Association as a part of employees look forward to these annual possibilities are endless! their citizen science initiative to improve bandinghistory and events our andprogram. come Manyyear after WDW year. conservation of Purple Martins across Guests at the resorts often delight at the North America. It also helps us keep opportunity to see these beautiful, wild track of the ages of the chicks so we birds so close and are also fascinated can band both them and their parents by the conservation science happening at the best time in their nesting cycle. right outside their rooms. Each bird is Chicks are ideally banded between weighed, their fat and muscle content 13-20 days old when their legs are is estimated, and wing, tail and tarsus fully-grown and they don’t yet have the measurements are taken. All birds are given a unique ID band on their right leg, more involved, but we’re fortunate or previously-banded birds are noted in thatability most to fly. of themBanding like adults to sleep is ain little their our extensive database. As part of our collaboration with the Purple Martin

nesting compartments. When the time

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 147 Building a Chimney Swift Tower By Kevin Kollar Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is erect the tower, making sure that the located directly on the O’Shaughnessy location would also not destabilize the reservoir, which is part of the Scioto river, bank of the reservoir. which provides drinking water to the central Ohio area, beautiful views to zoo After all the approvals were attained, visitors, and a resting place for many bird the process went very quickly. The eagle species on their north-south migration scout assembled the pieces of the tower routes. The zoo has always made the at his home before coming to the zoo, river a part of the visitor experience and because of this, he only needed to through boat rides and event spaces, but come to the zoo three days (albeit some now some changes are happening that of the days were quite long) to complete are not visible to the guests. of clearing the area and prepping the In April 2017, the keepers in the Shores areathe project. for the concreteThe first base,time consistedthe second department noticed that there were time for the laying of the concrete and large amounts of trash located along putting the lower portion of the tower the shoreline of the reservoir. They into the concrete, and the last time for decided to host a small cleanup of the completing the rest of the tower. Each time he brought with him a group of Day, which in turn inspired me to think people that was quite diverse in ages ofshoreline ways to to make celebrate the shoreline World Oceans more from younger boy scouts to parents and inviting for native wildlife. Although the advisors of the scouts. Each time a new idea sounds simple, it is always more person came to work on the project the complicated than it sounds. I decided people got a little lesson in how what to start with birds. Although I have they were doing was going to help native worked with birds around the zoo, my wildlife. knowledge of native birds was lacking and I had no idea what types of birds would be interested in nesting along September 2018, it stood as a symbol of the river. Because of this, I enlisted the teamworkWhen the tower from all was the completed people that in were help of various people around the zoo to involved in the process, but it also stood provide the necessary insight into what as a symbol of hope. Staff often walked would need to be done. by the tower and asked what it was, and when it was explained curiosity grew. One of the curators put me in touch with It was a statement to everyone that the Darlene. Darlene is an avid birder in the zoo didn’t just care about gorillas in community and is very knowledgeable Africa, manatees in Florida, or tigers on bird nesting habits. Many meetings in Asia, but they cared about animals and site visits later, the group with the located right here in our own backyard guidance of Darlene had decided on that are facing their own plights. Since putting up a chimney swift tower. Then the tower has been put up, the changing the planning began. Darlene was able of the reservoir has continued with the to locate a local eagle scout that was addition of a monarch waystation and willing to do the work for the tower, and the plans to possibly add a small native I went through the process of securing funding through the Columbus Zoo’s add? It could be bat boxes, waterfowl Staff Advisory Committee’s special boxes,prairie. or What even willan osprey be next platform, on the list I’m to project budget. The project was brought not sure, but I do know this is just the to the attention of the senior staff of the beginning. zoo to get the necessary permission to

"Naturally chimney swifts nested in hollowed out trees, which are at risk due to logging. Chimney swifts have also adapted to a more urban environment by nesting in chimneys, hence the name chimney swifts. Unfortunately, the species is considered by many a nuisance and typically after one nesting season people who have swifts nesting in their chimneys typically cap their chimneys so that the birds are not capable of nesting in the chimney again. "

148 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Lights Out for Birds: Community Solutions to Avian Conservation Matthew B. Shumar Program Coordinator, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative Shane J. Good Director of Collections Management, Akron Zoo Tim Jasinski Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center

85% of apparent annual mortality of nothing to bat an eye at. Add on top of is exciting for birders and nature that loss of stopover habitat over an enthusiastsWhile the phenomenon donning binoculars of migration and occurred during migration. increasingly developed landscape as fancy cameras, it is one of the most these Black-throated Blue Warblers well as countless obstacles in urban perilous periods in a bird’s annual life This movement from overwintering areas, and you have a rather daunting cycle. Long-term research on Black- locations in Central and South America journey—one that is made twice each Dendroica to and from breeding grounds in year! caerulescens), for example, has shown temperate North America proves thatthroated mortality Blue Warblersduring migration ( is at challenging enough in a natural system: Most songbirds migrate at night, least 15-times higher than during the the combination of unpredictable guided in part by celestial cues. Like breeding or overwintering periods weather and increased exposure to (Sillett and Holmes, 2002). More than predation for thousands of miles is light sources in urban centers prove the Sirens of Homer’s Odyssey, artificial

North America as seen from space at night. Artificial light is becoming increasingly problematic for migratory birds, and can lead to increased bird-building collisions in urban centers. Photo by NASA Earth Observatory.

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 149 effort was to reduce the number of bird collisionsWhile the asprimary much asobjective possible, of therethis

owners and residents, including positiveare also manygains inbenefits public forrelations, business

reductions in CO2 emissions, and potentially substantial cost savings.

estimated savings of $5,148 per year forFor aexample, 20-story Lights building Out participating Wilmington in the Lights Out program (http:// lightsoutwilm.com). In an attempt to understand enrollment motivations and increase participation, we surveyed business owners in Columbus after

Photo 2. Red-eyed vireos, dead from collision. Photo by Tim Jasinski. majority of respondents cited that the primarythe first yeardriver of forthe their program. enrollment The vast was to show consumers that they were an environmentally friendly or “green” to be a perilous attraction for many dead and injured birds during their company. To help them reach that goal, passage migrants. Birds can collide monitoring. Unfortunately most birds we created signs that businesses could with illuminated structures at night, are found dead, but those that are found display in their entrances and lobbies but more substantial effects of brightly alive have a high chance of successful lit metropolitan areas occur through rehabilitation and release. the company’s logos on our website changes in stopover behavior. The showing participation. We also included skyglow of large urban centers can Encouraged by the success of FLAP, have seen a positive response to these be perceived by migrating birds up to Chicago launched their own program actions,and in advertising and we now for have the program.over half ofWe the 300 km away (Olsen et al., 2014), and (Lights Out Chicago) in 1995, and tallest buildings in downtown Columbus recent research has shown that migrant similar efforts have been replicated enrolled in Lights Out. stopover density increases at regional throughout the United States. In 2012, scales with proximity to the brightest the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative Given the success we observed in areas and is subsequently lower in (OBCI) and the Grange Insurance Columbus, we hoped to expand the effort high-quality forested habitats even a to as much of Ohio as possible. However, few kilometers away from urban centers organizational support from a number before proceeding we wanted to be (McLaren et al., 2018). It is in these ofAudubon local conservation Center, with and financial business and able to explicitly demonstrate that all urban landscapes that collision risk is groups started a Lights Out Columbus this work was indeed having a positive campaign. Seven buildings in downtown effect on the rates of bird collisions. perceived by birds as an extension of the Columbus enrolled in the program Prior to this, few studies had examined surroundingmagnified: highly vegetation reflective and glass sky. is often the potential for Lights Out programs to reduce bird-building collisions. Lights Building collisions are second only to years.during the first year, and enrollment Out Chicago reported an 80% reduction predation by free-ranging domestic cats has steadily increased over the past five in building collisions following reduced as the largest source of human-caused Starting in mid-March of each year, nighttime lighting, but we wanted to mortality in birds, and it is estimated building owners, managers, and residents are encouraged to reduce buildings as well as light output with one billion birds are killed by collisions exterior nighttime lighting during peak respectassess specific to bird structuralcollisions. aspectsTo that end,of eachthat between year in the 365 United million States and nearly(Loss bird migration periods. From March 15 we set up a small study in Columbus et al., 2014). “Lights Out” and “Safe to explore factors associated with Passage” programs across the globe October 31, building managers are bird-building collisions. For two years, have been developed in an attempt to encouragedthrough June to 1, reduce and August their lighting15 through as a small team of volunteers surveyed address this problem. The Fatal Light much as possible by doing the following: the Uptown and Arena Districts of Awareness Program (FLAP) of Toronto eliminate architectural lighting and Columbus. The survey area included buildings across a range of heights and address the issue of bird collisions with lights when not in use; use blinds and/ nighttime lighting brightness. Volunteers buildings.was the first Since organization 1993 volunteers in the world have to orspotlights; task lighting eliminate when upper interior floor lighting interior searched the perimeter of buildings been working with Toronto business is required overnight; eliminate or dim early in the morning, documenting all atrium lighting; use shielded (downward dead and injured birds along with the reduce nighttime lighting, and they facing) lighting for walkways. haveowners picked to treat up tensreflective of thousands glass and of Dead birds were taken to the Ohio specific location and time of discovery.

150 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Photo 3. Birds collected by Lights Out Cleveland volunteers. Photo by Tim Jasinski. Photo 4. Grasshopper sparrow ready for release. Photo by Tim Jasinski.

State University Museum of Biological good news that comes with those results effort of OBCI, the Cleveland Museum of Diversity, and injured birds were is that we will effectively reduce the Natural History, Cleveland Metroparks, number of bird collisions in Columbus Lake Erie Nature & Science Center rehabilitation. if we reduce the amount of light coming (LENSC), and the Akron Zoo. The taken to the Ohio Wildlife Center for expansion to Cleveland was a crucially Concurrent with our collision we began growing the effort into a important development of the project, monitoring, we took a standardized statewidefrom each network—Ohiobuilding. With that Lights in hand, Out. as research has shown that migrating set of photographs of each building landbirds tend to concentrate in coastal at night. Using specialized software In 2015 we launched Lights Out Miami areas, especially when there are direct (AnalyzingDigitalImages; Museum of Valley (Dayton area) with the help barriers along migratory routes. Indeed, Science 2008) we were able to quantify of Brukner Nature Center, Aullwood if you talk to any Cleveland-based the percent illumination for each Audubon Center and Farm, Five Rivers birdwatcher, you’re bound to hear building. Over the course of this study, Metroparks, Daytona BOMA, and about the myriad of excellent birding approximately 250 birds of 49 species Partners for the Environment. Over the opportunities around the city. were collected. Unsurprisingly, we found last four years, Lights Out Miami Valley that the number of birds found at a enrolled nearly 30 buildings across a Our monitoring program for downtown building was positively correlated with six county area. In 2017, we continued Cleveland was able to successfully expanding coverage with the launch of recruit a fervent volunteer base of more of light coming off that building. The Lights Out Cleveland—a collaborative than 80 individuals. This team, active the number of floors and the amount daily during migration, has recovered a staggering 5,000 birds in just two years. Although we suspected higher Volunteers from the first season of Lights Out Akron sponsored by Akron Zoological Park. rates of bird-building collisions in Cleveland given the city’s proximity to Lake Erie, we were still surprised by the magnitude of collision numbers.

to mitigate collision risk, the large numberWhile we of work collected within specimens the community allows us to explore factors associated with collisions. Last year the Cleveland Museum of Natural History secured funding to hire two college interns to assess factors associated with collision rates. Additionally, we have been collaborating with researchers from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to explore survival and behavior of birds following collisions. A sample of injured birds recovered from collision

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 151 monitoring efforts that had undergone regional programs, please visit https:// (Pictured above) ohiolightsout.org/ with VHF transmitters operating on the The Akron Zoo has a large samesuccessful frequency rehabilitation (i.e., nanotags). were fitted These References North American Songbird nanotags are detectable by automated Bird–building collisions in the United States: Aviary and provides a home Loss,Estimates S.R., T. Will, of annual S.S. Loss, mortality and P.P. and Mara. species 2014. to many non-releasable birds Tracking System. Data collected from vulnerability. receiving stations in the Motus Wildlife The Condor: Ornithological these tagged birds will provide insight Applications that are rehabilitated as part not only into the long-term effects of of local Lights Out programs. window collisions on individuals, but Smolinsky, M. 116:8–23. Boone, E.E. van Loon, D.K. also population level consequences that McLaren, J.D., J.J. Buler, T. Schreckengost, J.A. light at night confounds broad-scale habitat useDawson, by migrating and E.L. birds.Walters. Ecology 2018. Letters Artificial 21: traditional citizen science-based collision monitoringas of yet have programs. been unquantified through Museum of Science. 2007–2008. AnalyzingDigitalImages.356-364. Version 11. Museum of Science, Boston, Massachusetts, Since launching the Lights Out Cleveland USA. program, additional cities within Ohio Olsen, R.N., T. Gallaway, and D. Mitchell. 2014. Modelling US light pollution. Journal of focused Lights Out programs running Environmental Planning and Management inhave Akron, joined Canton, the network. Cincinnati, We Cleveland,now have 57:883-903. Sillett, T.S. and R.T. Holmes. 2002. Variation Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo, which in survivorship of a migratory songbird targets the bulk of the state’s metropolitan throughout its annual cycle. Journal of Animal Ecology and even private homeowners in other 71:296–308. reachesareas. We of also Ohio encourage to participate. building Every owners building makes a difference. For more information on Ohio Lights Out and the

152 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. The Plight of the Loggerhead Shrike: A One-Plan Approach to Saving an Iconic Grassland Bird in North America

Dr. Amy Chabot1, Jessica Steiner2 and Hazel Wheeler2.

1 African Lion Safari, 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada 2 Wildlife Preservation Canada, 5420 ON-6, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius climatic trends on the breeding grounds ludovicianus) is one of only two species may reduce nesting success, while road isolated populations. Until recently, mortality may decrease the survival rate conservationthe species is effortsconfined were to a focused few small mainly and the only shrike endemic to North during migration, and climatic trends in this portion of the species range, and America.of shrike thatThe speciesoccur in utilizes the New a varietyWorld, in particular eastern Canada. Movement of shrub- and grassland habitats that Oscillation Index may lead to low over- toward a full annual lifecycle focus and vary from shrub-steppe in the western winteringinfluenced survival. by the North American thus international collaboration is now United States to unimproved pastureland seen as a priority. associated with limestone plains in the The breeding range of the Loggerhead eastern Canadian province of Ontario, to Shrike prior to European colonization Summary of past work longleaf pine savanna in the southeast is unclear. The species likely expanded Taxonomic Reassessment Coastal Plain (Pruitt, 2000). Shrikes within northeast North America with the breeding in northern portions of clearing of land for agriculture (Cadman, their range undertake short-distance 1985). The shrike was considered to comprehensive systematic treatment of migration to more southerly states and be common throughout the continent L.Miller ludovicianus (1931) conducted and, based the on first evaluation Mexico, wintering generally south of 47 by the mid-1900s (Pruitt, 2000). of external characteristics from 1,878 museum specimens, recognized 11 al., 2017). The wintering range is almost been observed in shrike populations subspecies with broad regions of entirelydegrees encompassedlatitude (Yosef, within 1996; that Chabot of et throughoutHowever, by North 1960 America,a declining but trend with had the intergradation that he attributed to greatest contraction among migratory gradual environmental gradients, Chabot et al., 2017). populations (Sauer et al., 2018). The lack of sharp geographic barriers, and non-migrant conspecifics (Yosef, 1996; species is now rare in much of its migration. Conservation efforts in the Many reasons have been cited as former range (Sauer et al., 2018), even northeastern portion of the species’ potentially contributing to the decline of where apparently suitable habitat still range recently gained further importance the Loggerhead Shrike, including loss of exists (Pruitt, 2000). The United States habitat on the breeding and wintering Shrikes found in Ontario represent a grounds, pesticides, mortality associated the Loggerhead Shrike to be a bird of distinctafter the subspecies, finding that provisionally, the Loggerhead L.l. with roads, adverse weather conditions ConservationFish and Wildlife Concern Service and considers it is listed alvarensis, separate from the migrans subspecies, as they had previously Action Plans for 34 states (Natureserve, been considered (Chabot, 2011). The thanand inter-specific one factor is involved,competition potentially (Yosef, 2017).as a focal In speciesnortheastern in the NorthState Wildlife America, presence of a distinct genetic subspecies acting1996; Pruitt,at different 2000). times It is throughout likely that more the Loggerhead Shrike populations have in the northeast implies that the species annual life cycle. For example, adverse declined precipitously to the point where may have occurred in this region prior

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 153 Captive female on a nest from the Toronto Zoo. Photo by Kevin Kerr.

to the early 1900s, likely inhabiting partners have accumulated in-depth have deleterious effects on reproduction areas characterized by alvars and knowledge of population dynamics (Hughes et al., 2015). The impact of nest native tallgrass prairies (Vickery and and demographics of L.l. alvarensis, predation is assessed on an annual basis, Dunwiddie, 1997). The association of which is essential for the formulation with data gathered on both mammalian Loggerhead Shrikes with alvars and, of an effective conservation plan. This and avian predators using remote nest more broadly, with the limestone plains information is shared annually with of eastern Ontario is broadly recognized provincial and federal government appears to remain in the province, (Cadman et al., 1987; Cadman et al., agencies, and serves to guide decisions manycameras. historic While breeding much suitable sites continue habitat around habitat protection. to remain unoccupied. A hierarchical alvar ecosystem (Reschke et al., 1999; habitat analysis has been conducted to Brownell2007; COSEWIC, and Riley, 2014). 2000) The would unique have There has been a particular focus on assess habitat requirements at multiple historically provided suitable habitat banding and resighting individuals with scales, including nest tree, territory, for shrike even prior to European unique color band combinations. Almost habitat patch, and landscape, providing colonization and clearing of land, 350 wild Loggerhead Shrike have been science-based guidelines for identifying, exerting unique evolutionary pressures banded since 2003, with 228 resighting maintaining and/or restoring suitable culminating in genetic distinction for records from subsequent years thanks to habitat. this population. Though the historic well-developed survey and monitoring range of this subspecies likely extended protocols. Ontario’s banding protocol International Collaboration – towards a throughout much of eastern Canada, at has been adopted as the standard for the full lifecycle approach this point the only substantial breeding species by the North American Banding populations of migratory L.l. alvarensis Council, available online (http://www. In 2013 a group of state, provincial exist in Ontario. A multi-faced recovery nabanding.net/other-publications/). and federal representatives from both Canada and the United States Preservation Canada, is underway Threats to Ontario’s breeding came together and formed the North toprogram, prevent coordinated these populations by Wildlife from population are being assessed disappearing. This recovery program through applied research. The impact Group (www.loggerheadshrike.org). has several major initiatives, each having of contaminants has been studied TheAmerican collaboration Loggerhead of scientists Shrike Working and achieved substantial accomplishments, through analysis conducted on eggs managers involved in, or beginning as detailed below. collected from failed nests from 2000- to work toward, conservation of the 2013. Results found only low levels Loggerhead Shrike in North America is Wild Population Monitoring and Banding focused on standardizing methods used and other organochlorids, PBDEs, and across the continent and implementing Over the last 20+ years, Ontario recovery mercury)of contaminants that were (specifically, not considered PCBs to coordinated broad-scale research efforts

154 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. In addition to directly supplementing the wild population, the use of conservation-bred birds in priority research has facilitated our ability to address knowledge gaps without increasing risk to the critically small wild population. Most notable is the use of tracking devices to identify migratory routes and wintering grounds of shrike breeding in Ontario, a key knowledge gap for the species. Tracking devices are deployed on a subset of conservation- bred juveniles released each year. Research to-date suggests there are two migratory routes for shrike in Ontario: one travelling around the eastern end of Lake Ontario, and one heading west

improving tracking technology, there istowards great opportunity Windsor. With for constantlyexciting Wild colour banded bird seen in Virginia. Photo by Linda Chittum. developments as shrike are tracked out of the province and along migration routes. More broadly, data from the use for the species. To date, work has focused Conservation Breeding on developing standardized survey and of tracking devices on conservation-bred monitoring protocols, completing broad- The conservation breeding program for scale Species Distribution Modeling, and Loggerhead Shrike is the only program techniques for other songbirds; shrike Loggerhead Shrike can aid in refining expanding the color-banding program to of its kind for a migratory songbird. It data were recently used in a meta- amass range-wide demographic data and has been recognized internationally as a analysis of the effects of geolocators on model for breeding and reintroduction small birds (Brlík et al., 2019). programs for songbirds (Kleiman Theinformation color-banding on dispersal program and has site allowed fidelity. and Lynch, 2008; Soorae, 2013), and Though conservation breeding new data to be obtained on the species’ started in Ontario, several U.S. partner institutions are now housing and evidence of long-distance (~900 km) ofhas conservation-breeding made a significant contribution in species breeding shrikes for subsequent mid-seasonpopulation dynamics. movements, We when now havea breeding recoveryto the scientific (e.g. Nichols literature et al., on 2010; the use release, in an effort to increase program Lagios et al., 2015; Parmley et al., Virginia was observed in August of that 2015; Imlay et al., 2017). Since 2001, release program has helped stabilize capacity. While the breeding and yearbird bandedin Napanee, in spring Ontario. 2016 The in increaseWest in 1,249 juveniles have been released, the Ontario population, efforts must Loggerhead Shrike banding activity in the with an average return rate of 8.4% ramp up over the next several years in U.S. has also increased the frequency of since 2012, when breeding was moved order to evaluate whether this tool can band resightings, with reports of birds in largely to partner facilities, rather than effectively recover the wild population. To do so, the program is looking for both spring and fall migration. in situ Nichols et al., 2010). Conservation-bred additional partner institutions to help at Collaboration with academic partners juveniles field have breeding shown (as typical described migratory in least double the size and output of the has focused on priority research behavior and high post-release survival captive population, which now releases questions, including Loggerhead Shrike rates, highlighting their potential to over 100 birds a year. Interested detection probability with different contribute to the wild population survey methods, wild population health (Imlay et al., 2010). Captive-origin Preservation Canada for further details institutions should contact Wildlife birds make a substantial contribution on how to get involved. In addition to to the wild population in Ontario, with being involved in the breeding program, Groupassessment, is piloting and continueda citizen science refinement of breeding pairs that include at least there are opportunities to contribute to initiative,subspecies the ranges. “Shrike Finally, Force”, the to Working engage one captive-origin bird contributing outreach and education, research, and private citizens in Loggerhead Shrike fundraising. recovery across the continent. in recent years. The captive colony of Loggerheadup to 40% of Shrike, wild fledglings and annual observed release Increased U.S. engagement in of conservation-bred juveniles, has had a Loggerhead Shrike recovery is with each year bringing additional stabilizing effect on the wild population, underway, in part through partnership partnersThe Working in new Group regions, continues as shown to expand, by and proven key to the persistence of the with Conservation Centers for Species growing attendance at each subsequent species in Ontario (Tischendorf, 2009, Survival (C2S2) and its members. annual meeting. 2015). Currently, all young produced at U.S. partner intuitions are transferred to

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 155 using the Ontario captive population as aOntario source for for release. conservation While breeding the benefits and of release in the U.S. would be invaluable, further research is needed to determine if the current captive colony is genetically suitable to be used as release stock elsewhere, or whether new or hybridized colonies are warranted, e.g. in areas where introgression occurred historically

Recommendations for Future Efforts and Ways to Participate

Despite the dedicated recovery efforts to date, the Loggerhead Shrike population in northeastern North America remains critically low and the species continues to exhibit declines over the majority of its range. However, the program is Captive-bred juvenile being banded. Photo by Lydia Dotto, ImageInnovation Photography. still relatively young, and the successes that the Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program has achieved in Ontario over should also be used to engage and raise to determine if they are wild source, or awareness among landowners of the tremendous amount of knowledge has captiveidentification bred. of returning banded birds species’ need for “heritage farming” beenits first gained, 20 years and are momentum substantial: created a for practices. In many areas, the majority future recovery efforts. But more work is Conservation breeding of habitat is privately owned, so needed, with a potential for engagement landowner engagement is imperative of new partners in both ex situ and in situ A healthy and viable captive population for species’ recovery. communities. must continue to be maintained and managed to meet existing recovery goals Research to address priority knowledge gaps In Situ Research and arising demands. The size of the captive population should be increased Loggerhead Shrikes are not well detected to allow a doubling of release output, to be evaluated on the breeding through roadside Breeding Bird Surveys, increasing the speed of recovery and groundsWhile limiting (e.g. nest factors predation, should disease,continue positive impact on the wild population. environmental instability), we must is required to maintain the quality of the An increase in capacity will also supply also look at what could be contributing dataso a species-specificcollected. These monitoring data are important program to declines outside of the breeding to evaluate recovery activities, protect of migratory routes and wintering season. Coordination of efforts to share critical habitat for the species based on grounds,more birds and to allowbe used experimentation in identification information internationally among site occupancy, and prioritize areas for with alternative release techniques for jurisdictions is a priority. In particular, habitat enhancement and restoration. re-establishing populations in historic research should be supported to A Population Habitat Viability Analysis cores, without compromising existing is needed on the subspecies-scale to release efforts. The captive population grounds and migratory routes, dispersal may also become an important source ofaddress birds amongidentification breeding of winteringgrounds, the exists to support a viable population of release stock for conservation efforts interaction between migratory and ofdetermine Loggerhead where Shrike sufficient in eastern habitat North in areas of the subspecies’ U.S. range, resident populations, and the origin America, with results used to guide and new partnerships with U.S. facilities of immigrants into small isolated future recovery efforts and recovery interested in conservation breeding will populations. Efforts should work targets. Activities should be undertaken be an integral part of those efforts. toward the ultimate goal of gaining a better understanding of the full annual habitat data is collected to inform Habitat stewardship and public lifecycle of the species. to ensure sufficient demographic and outreach/engagement surveys of areas where probability of Conclusion themanagement species occurrence decisions, is specifically: high based on Habitat stewardship must continue, with results of Species Distribution Mapping development of stewardship projects Range-wide recovery of the Loggerhead guided by results of the Population and Shrike will require the collaborative monitoring of breeding activity to assess Habitat Viability Analyses, to ensure efforts of multiple stakeholders across conducted by Working Group members; lifetime reproductive success and habitat North America. Many opportunities level to achieve recovery goals. Projects exist for engagement in shrike sufficient habitat exists at the landscape factors influencing nesting success; and

156 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. recovery, integrating both in-situ and Environment Canada. 2010. Recovery Pruitt, L. 2000. Loggerhead Shrike status ex-situ recovery activities. For more Strategy for the Loggerhead Shrike, information on becoming involved in migrans subspecies (Lanius ludovicianus assessment. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. the recovery efforts, please contact migrans), in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Environment Rand,of birds A. L. of1960. the world,Family Vol.Laniidae. 9. Museum – In Mayr, of Amy Chabot (achabot@lionsafari. Canada, Ottawa. E. and Greenway, J. C., Jr. (eds.), Checklist com hazel@ Hughes, K.D., P.A. Martin, and S.R. DeSolla. wildlifepreservation.ca). 2015. Contaminants in eggs of eastern Potter,Comparative H. 1999. Zoology Conserving pp. 309-365. Great Lakes ) or Hazel Wheeler ( loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus Reschke,alvars. C.,The Reid, Nature R., Jones, Conservancy, J., Feeney, Great T, and migrans) in Ontario from 2000-2013. Lakes Program. Literature Cited Environment Canada – Ecotoxicology and

Sauer,The J.R.,North J.E. American Hines, J.E. Breeding Fallon, K.L. Bird Pardieck, Survey, Wildlife Health Division. Unpublished ResultsD.J. Ziolkowski, and Analysis Jr., and 1966 W.A. - 2017. Link. Version2018. Brikl,effects V., J. of Kolecek, geolocators M. Burgess, on small S. Hahn,birds: aD. report for Wildlife Preservation Canada. 01.30.2017 USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research meta-analysisHumple, and M. controlled Krist et al. for 2019. phylogeny Weak Imlay,2010. T.I., Survival, J.F. Crowley, dispersal A.M. Argue,and early J.C. Center, Laurel, MD. and publication bias. Journal of Animal migrationSteiner, D.R. movements Norris and of B.J.M. captive-bred Stutchbury. Soorae, P.S. (ed). 2013. Global re-introduction Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: juvenile eastern loggerhead shrikes perspectives : 2013. Further case-studies (Lanius ludovicianus migrans). Biological from around the globe. IUCN/SSC Re- Conservation 143:2578–2582. introduction Specialist Group and Abu 10.1111/1365-2656.12962. Dhabi, UAE: Environment Agency-Abu Brownell,areas in V.R. the andOntario Riley, Great J.L. 2000. Lakes The region. Age and experience affect the reproductive Dhabi, Gland, Switzerland. xiv + 282 pp. Federationalvars of Ontario: of Ontario Significant Naturalists. alvar natural Imlay,success T.L., ofJ.C. captive Steiner Loggerhead and D.M. Bird. Shrike 2017. Tischendorf, L. 2009. Population viability Cadman, M. 1985. Status report on the (Lanius ludovicianus) subspecies. analysis of the eastern Loggerhead Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) Canadian Journal of Zoology 95:547–554. Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus migrans). in Canada. Committee on the Status Kleiman, D.G. and C. Lynch. 2008. Final Unpublished report for the Canadian report: Results and recommendations for Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada. the captive breeding/release program Canada. Cadman,of Endangered M.D., Sutherland, Wildlife inD.A., Canada, Beck, G. for the Eastern Loggerhead Shrike. Tischendorf,Wildlife Service L. 2015. – Ontario, Population Environment viability G., Lepage, D. and Couturier, A.R. (eds.). Unpublished report for The Eastern analysis of the eastern Loggerhead Shrike 2007. Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Team. (Lanius ludovicianus migrans). Update Ontario, 2001-2005. Bird Studies Canada, unpublished report for the Canadian Environment Canada, Ontario Field Ornithologists, Ontario Ministry of Natural Lagois,captive-reared E.L., K.F. Robbins, eastern J.M.loggerhead LaPierre shrikes and Canada. Resources and Ontario Nature, Toronto. LaniusJ.C. Steiner. ludovicianus 2015. Recruitment migrans into of thejuvenile, wild Wildlife Service – Ontario, Environment Chabot, A.A. 2011. The impact of migration population in Canada. Oryx 49:321-328. Grasslands of northeastern North America: on the evolutionary and conservation of Miller, A.H. 1931. Systematic revision and Vickery,ecology P.D. and and conservation Dunwiddie, ofP.W. native 1997. and an endemic North America passerine: natural history of the American shrikes agricultural landscapes. Massachusetts Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus). (Lanius). – University of California Audubon Society. PhD Dissertation, Queen’s University. Publication in Zoology 38: 11-242. Lanius ludovicianus). In the Birds of North G.E. Perez and S.C. Lougheed. 2018. Arlington, VA. Available http://services. Yosef,America, R. 1996. No. Loggerhead 231. (A. Poole Shrike and (F. Gill, Chabot,Migratory A.A., K.A.connectivity Hobson, inS.L.VanWilgenburg, the Loggerhead Natureserve.natureserve.org. 2017. NatureServe Web Service. eds). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus). Ecology and Philadelphia, and The American Evolution Nichols,2010. R.K.,Conservation J. Steiner, initiativesL.G. Woolaver, for an E. report on 8:10662–10672.the Loggerhead Shrike Eastern Williams, A.A. Chabot and K. Tuininga. Ornithologists’ Union, Washington, D.C. COSEWIC.subspecies 2014. Lanius COSEWIC ludovicianus update ssp. status and propagation and release. Oryx 44:171-177. the Prairie subspecies Lanius ludovicianus endangered migratory passerine: field excubitorides in Canada. Committee on the Parmlay, E.J., D.L. Pearl, N.A. Vogt, S. Yates, G.D. Ottawa. Xiii + 51 pp. (www.registrelep- populationCampbell, J. of Steiner, Loggerhead et al. 2015. Shrike, Factors Eastern sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm).Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. subspeciesinfluencing (Laniusmortality ludovicianus in a captive ssp.) breeding in Canada. BMC Veterinary Research 11: 129.

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AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 157 Brevard Zoo and Florida Scrub-Jays: Saving a Species in Peril

Michelle Smurl, Director of Animal Programs Brevard Zoo Melbourne, FL

Jay with B-SK band combination, or Blue-Silver Kelly.

158 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Save our True Floridians Of the hundreds of indigenous bird species living in Florida, only one, (Aphelocoma coerulescens), is found nowhere else. The the Florida Scrub-Jay that only utilizes unique oak scrub habitat,Florida Scrub-Jaythe most endangeredis a habitat specialist ecosystem type in Florida. As a result, Florida

dramatically, and this bird species is federallyScrub-Jay listed populations as threatened. have declined

In a state where human population

choicehas nearly scrub quadrupled habitat to sincecitrus 1960, groves, the Florida Scrub-Jay has lost much of its a result, there has been a rapid decline subdivisions and fire suppression. As much as 85% over the last 100 years in the Florida Scrub-Jay population, as lose habitat and become increasingly Original hack enclosure, 4x4’ and 4’ off the ground fragmented,(Concoby, 2005). local populationsAs Florida Scrub-Jays often fall below sustainable levels.

Called to Action Brevard Zoo was solicited by the The Zoo has helped to identify and successfully reared an offspring. This collect samples for studies over the juvenile complicated the translocation years and since November 2017 we process for a few weeks due to its elusive undertakeUnited States and Fish oversee and Wildlife the translocation Service have successfully trapped and helped nature. Time was running short for Zoo (capture,(USFWS) transportand county and agencies release in or 2007 to staff to capture and relocate the family reintroduction of plants or animals from goal for managed conservation sites unit of these three jays. Thanks to the one location to another) of Florida Scrub- process 107 Florida Scrub-Jays. The cooperation from the site developer and 90% of the population in order to the juvenile’s increased comfort with the to restored and managed public lands in collectwith Florida comprehensive Scrub-Jay demographicis to band Potter traps as the days passed, the jays BrevardJays from County. marginal urban environments information. were successfully captured as a family unit early on the morning of August 1, Our methodology includes the Our Mission at Work 2018 and moved to the Malabar Scrub translocation of entire family units, Since 2007, Zoo staff members have Sanctuary, a 400-acre sanctuary in the consisting of a breeding male and female completed translocations of 14 imperiled city of Malabar. and any “helpers”. The Zoo’s function is to trap, tame, and capture the jays 45 jays in Brevard County. The project’s Before placement in a specially designed prior to transferring them to hack or initialFlorida success Scrub-Jay suggests family translocation units totaling hack enclosure for 24 hours, the jays soft-release pens at the release site and is an effective tool to help save this were examined by the Zoo’s veterinarian monitor the jays’ activities post-release. threatened species. These translocations and banded by a local ecologist holding Potter traps baited with raw peanuts a special banding permit. The hack are utilized during the taming process. Conservation through Education and enclosure gives the family an opportunity The Zoo’s veterinarian is on hand to Participation.”exemplify the Zoo’s The projectmission has of “Wildlifegenerated to become familiar with the landscape collect blood from captured jays for great public interest, participation, and and its inhabitants. Food and water is gender determination and a long-term investment in conservation. made available during this time and grant funded genetic study. A United for a short time after the release while States Geological Survey (USGS) licensed In the spring of 2018, the Zoo was ecologist utilizes a pre-determined color monitoring at this site is conducted on combination and bands each jay with the birds learn where to find food. Jay ofalerted land inby the USFWS city of to Palm a pair Bay of Floridathat was saving three important individual jays the band with a sequence of nine numbers slatedScrub-Jays for development. that were living Considered on a parcel goala regular is to increasebasis by Zoothe numberofficials. of Besides Florida thatcolor help bands to identifyand a USFWS the jay butt-end if re-captured, metal or if it loses its color bands. Scrub Sanctuary. sub-optimal scrub habitat, Zoo officials Scrub-Jay families residing at the Malabar were surprised to find that this pair had

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 159 Midwest Tongs Professional Reptile Handling Equipment introduces their new Economy Line

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160 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc.

049N-AZA Full Pg Ad.indd 1 6/8/18 8:18 AM Midwest Tongs Professional Reptile Handling Equipment introduces their new Economy Line

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The current range, shown in green is only a tiny Prices starting at fraction of the historical range, shown in gray. Map Maria Zondervan (BLCA) and Craig Faulhaber (FWC) reviewing optimal scrub habitat locations. courtesy of Monica E. McGarrity. $4495 Zoo staff are now coordinating efforts These are just a few jays to disperse long distances. The 2018 to search viable scrub habitat within 10 translocation efforts on property open Not known as good flyers, it is unusual for or more miles of translocation sites for toties the to publicthe project. provide Florida the community Scrub-Jay of the new products miles to a scrub preserve and paired with with an opportunity to see and be Midwest Tongs will be antranslocated adult male adult from female an adjacent jay flew scrub over 10 actively involved in the management sanctuary along the way. Dispersals dispersed Florida Scrub-Jays. of a threatened endemic species. Our rolling out this year. help to increase genetic diversity in their efforts with community outreach allow respective territories but also increases providingTranslocation valuable efforts data will to benefit a variety a large us the opportunity to educate community Midwest Tongs equipment monitoring and resource needs since ofnumber public of and Florida private Scrub-Jays entities with while members on the negative impact outdoor has many versatile uses for Viera Preserve scrub habitat. any type of situation you don’t want your hands to get near.

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AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 161

049N-AZA Full Pg Ad.indd 1 6/8/18 8:18 AM David Breininger, ecologist, in the field banding a juvenile Florida Scrub-Jay

cats and feral cat colonies have on birds, Brevard Zoo’s role in the conservation of rates, reproductive success, population recruitment,by Breininger population et al. (2006). growth Survival rate and strictly translocation and monitoring. including the Florida Scrub-Jay. Teetering on the Brink of Extinction habitat use information is critical for Throughthe Florida relationship Scrub-Jay atbuilding the outset and was this research. our proven dedication to this species found in 39 counties in Florida, but our role has grown and now the Zoo currentlyHistorically, only Florida 32 counties Scrub-Jays still supportwere has representation on the Central report for BLCA written by Maria B. of these counties have tiny populations Zondervan,An excerpt from Land the Manager 2018 JayWatch for the St. ofFlorida 10 or Scrub-Jay fewer pairs. populations The range and of nine groupAtlantic consisting Coastal Ridges of land Working managers Group and(CACRWG), other stakeholders, a scrub habitat and focused has been dramatically statewide and within observedJohns River on Water this year’s Management survey (bands District instrumental in the conversations Brevardthe Florida County. Scrub-Jay has declined -SBX),(SJRWMD) was translocatedstates, “One ofto the Buck adults Lake in 2011 and is still onsite and producing Population Viability Analysis (PVA) for Future Efforts Needed young. All translocations to Buck Lake with USFWS to fund the creation of a Habitat preservation and restoration are have been very successful and should is complicated due to the Florida Florida Scrub-Jays. The PVA process translocated adult breeding female cooperative breeding system, which thisthe firstis not lines enough, of defense translocations for conserving will hascontinue”. remained Additionally, at the recipient the first site 2008 and onlyScrub-Jay’s occurs uniquein a few social hundred structure, species a of enhanceFlorida Scrub-Jays. these efforts. In situations Data collected where continues to successfully rear young to birds worldwide (Koenig, 2004). The through the Zoo’s monitoring efforts Zoo acts as a catalyst to secure a future will be analyzed and integrated into proven successful there is still much to long-term research of the entire Brevard adulthood. While translocations have and ultimately the state of Florida. County meta-population described for Florida Scrub Jays in Brevard County learn about utilizing this tool to benefit Florida Scrub-Jay populations.

162 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. Notwithstanding Brevard Zoo’s modest success in recent past, we at Brevard Zoo remain committed to staying vigilant and will continue to act as guardians to help

Acknowledgementssecure a future for Florida Scrub-Jays. Brevard Zoo thanks the Association of Zoos and

providingAquariums the (AZA) opportunity and the Disneyto make Worldwide a difference for the Conservation FundAphelocoma (DWCF) for coerulescensthe 2010 CEF) populationaward

Florida Scrub-Jay ( fromin Brevard 2008 County,to the present Florida. time We including thank all Davidthe partners R. involved in the Florida Scrub-Jay translocation process

Breininger, Craig Faulhaber (FWC), Todd Mecklenborg staff(USFWS), at Brevard Michael County’s Jennings Environmentally (USFWS), Maria Endangered Zondervan Lands(SJRWMD), Program Kimberly (EELs). Wright Thank (SJRWMD) you to past and and all present the

theirZoo staff countless members hours William contributed Maynard, to the Tracy translocation Frampton, Jonny Baker, Trevor Zachariah and Megan Partyka for Director, for his guidance and support. Thank you to the activities and Keith Winsten, Brevard Zoo’s Executive Alm, Douglas Bethony, Marge Bell, Charlie Corbeil, Vince Florida Scrub-Jay monitors and volunteers including Bert Elliot Zirulnik. Lamb, Jack Lembeck, Wes Lovelace, Vivian Soreiro and Photos courtesy of Michelle Smurl, Brevard Zoo

References Breininger, D.R., B. Toland, D.M. Oddy, and M.L. Legare. Landcover characterizations and Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) population dynamics. Biological 2006. Concoby, R. 2005. Florida Scrub-Jay Experimental Translocation andConservation Radiotelemetry 128:169-181. Research Project: Southern Hillsborough and Manatee Counties. Report for Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC. Ecology and Evolution of Cooperative Breeding in Birds,

University Press. Cambridge University Press 2004. ed.W.D. Koenig and J. L. Dickinson. Published by Cambridge jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). In: Poole, A.; Gill, F., eds. Woolfenden,The Birds ofGlen North E.; Fitzpatrick, America. No. John 228. W. Philadelphia, 1996. Florida PA: scrub- The

Ornithologists’ Union: 1-28. Zondervan,Academy Mariaof Natural B. 2018. Sciences; Buck Washington,Lake Conservation DC: The Area American Jay Watch Results and Discussion 2018

. Mt. Dora: St. John’s River Water Management District, 2018. JayWatch. Relevant Websites Birds of North America - https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/228/ Brevard Zoo – www.brevardzoo.org Environmentally Endangered Lands Program - https://www.brevardfl.gov//EELProgram/Home http://fl.audubon.org/get-involved/jay-watch

JayWatch - https://www.sjrwmd.com/ St. John’s River Water Management District - USGS Bird Banding Laboratory - www.usgs.gov/centers/ pwrc/science/bird-banding-laboratory

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 163 Outdoor "Pets": A Real Cat-astrophe

Michelle Smurl Director of Animal Programs

Elliot Zirulnik Communications Manager Brevard Zoo Melbourne, FL

In spring 2018, Brevard Zoo, located on the east coast of Florida, opened

temporary exhibit featuring native FloridaButterflies pollinators and the Magicand the of plants Nature—a upon which they depend. The Zoo used this opportunity to showcase the ingredients of a wildlife-friendly backyard, including the right variety of quality food, fresh water for drinking and bathing, and safe cover provided by native plants.

Unfortunately, providing the native cover is not enough to keep songbirds and other small native animals safe from introduced predators such as the feral cat. According to the Florida

Cat in Catio at Brevard Zoo. Photo by Michelle Smurl. livingWildlife in Conservationthe sunshine stateCommission of Florida in 2003(FWCC) and close the numbersto 10 million have cats increased were each year. An immense, growing population of free-roaming cats exists in the United States, and these animals are responsible for between 1.3 and 4 billion bird deaths every year (Loss et al., 2013). Globally, outdoor cats have

mammal and reptile species (Doherty et contributed to the extinction of 63 bird,

Outdooral., 2016). living is deleterious to the cats themselves, too. They are at increased risk of disease, predation and vehicle strike, which results in a shorter average lifespan than their indoor counterparts (Hatley, 2003).

Public outreach is an essential, tried-and-true tool for solving pet overpopulation. The Zoo chose to Brevard Zoo Catio Grows Larger. Photo by Michelle Smurl. tackle the outdoor and feral cat issue by

164 │ ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. threats facing birds, the adoptable cats and the partnership with the Humane Society. The Zoo provided information on the prevention of bird strikes and how Florida is part of the Atlantic Flyway, for migratory birds in North America. Every year,a major migratory north-south birds travel flyway this route following food sources, heading to

overwintering sites. breeding locations, or finding refuge at Cat overpopulation is a human-caused problem that will not be solved by dismantling trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs or building catios. A consistent, long-term educational campaign about the impact of free-roaming cats on

Using the catwalk in the catio. Photo by Michelle Smurl can instate sterilization incentives andwildlife penalties is needed. for abandonment. State and local Until officials

population will continue to grow, and nativesteps are wildlife taken populations to fix this issue, will continuethe cat alternatively, with a little imagination, to decline. In the interim, the Zoo will one can easily fabricate a catio of their build on the momentum gained through own design. sharing the catio concept and continue to provide pertinent information and The Zoo partnered with Brevard Humane potential solutions to engage community Society to foster cats to live in the catio members in working to correct this issue with the objective of adopting them out to and prevent others from occurring in Zoo guests, volunteers or staff members order to protect native wildlife, including at the exhibit’s conclusion. “The catio native and migratory songbirds. It is time represents a couple of things that are to tilt the scales in favor of wildlife. truly at the heart of the Zoo’s mission, as well as our own work,” said Theresa Clifton, the Humane Society’s executive Citations Doherty T., et al and global biodiversity loss. PNAS . 2016. Invasive predators

Hatley,113 (40)P. 2003. 11261-11265 Feral Cat Colonies doi: 10.1073/ in Florida: Brevard Zoo's original Catio design. Photo by Michelle Smurl. Thepnas.1602480113 Fur and Feathers are Flying. Journal of Land use and Environmental Law 18:441 Loss S.R. et al. 2012. The impact of free- constructing a “catio” (think “cat” plus director. “One is animal welfare and ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the “patio”) for the exhibit. This screened-in the other is education. The catio not United States. Nat. Commun. 10.1038/ncomms2380 extension of one’s home—which may only protects wildlife, but also offers 4:1396 doi: feature perches, tunnels and other feline- our feline residents a safe environment friendly structures—offers exposure with the outdoor enrichment they need to outdoor stimuli while maintaining to thrive. This is an ideal partnership a barrier between cats and wildlife. that enables us to visually educate cat Catio designs are as diverse as the owners on responsible pet ownership cats themselves, ranging from simple, and how to protect cats from the hut-like structures to elaborate and hazards they might encounter outside.” enclosed treehouses. Kits and step-by- Interpretive signage around the catio step instructions are available online; provided guests information about the

AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 165

The Bird Seed Feeder works great to keep food flowing through the enclosure. The large base allows for conversations around the dinner table.

Set up the Bird Feeder Log in small places and enjoy watching the birds fly in for a snack.

Q: What flies through the jungle singing opera? A: The parrots of Penzance!

The Rope Refuge works great for birds. This particular Rope Refuge (pictured) is constructed with (6) 12” Heavy Duty Food-Grade Polyethylene Balls. Each Ball has a corrosion-resistant perch / climbing handle and are held together with 1” diameter brown Pro-Manila Rope. These do not smell. The Balls can be site-adjusted without tools to any position on the rope. The standard rope length is 17 feet with a woven “eye splice” at the upper end and an “end whipping” wrap at the other end to prevent unraveling. A Carabiner is included to speed installation or removal.

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AAZK.ORG April/May 2019│Vol. 46 Nos. 4 & 5│ 167 8476 E. Speedway Blvd. Suite 204 Tucson, AZ 85710-1728 U.S.A.

“Dedicated to Professional Animal Care”

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