Arizona Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan Marjorie J. Latta, Arizona Partners in Flight Co-chair Carol J. Beardmore, Western Regional Coordinator, Partners in Flight Troy E. Corman, Arizona Partners in Flight Co-chair Version 1.0 Technical Report 142 Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Arizona Game and Fish Department 2221 West Greenway Road Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 June 1999 CIVIL RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Commission receives Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act f 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: Arizona Game and Fish Department Office of the Deputy Director 2221 West Greenway Road DOHQ Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 and The Office for Diversity and Civil Rights U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4040 North Fairfax Drive Room 300 Arlington, Virginia 22203 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The Arizona Game and Fish Department complies with all provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document is available in alternative format by contacting Terry B. Johnson, Nongame Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 2221 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023-4399 - (602) 789- 3501 or TTY 7-800-367-8939. RECOMMENDED CITATION Latta, M.J., C.J. Beardmore, and T.E. Corman. 1999. Arizona Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plan. Version 1.0. Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program Technical Report 142. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We extend appreciation and thanks to all the partners who contributed their time and expertise to bring this plan together. Their hard work and dedication has made this very important endeavor possible. We thank all cooperating government agencies and organizations, including: Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Applied Ecosystems Management, Arizona Audubon Council, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Arizona State Land Department, Arizona State Parks, Arizona State University, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado Bird Observatory, Dames and Moore, Department of Defense, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, Navajo Natural Heritage Program, Northern Arizona University, Salt River Project, Southwestern Field Biologists, SWCA Assoc., Inc., The Nature Conservancy, The Phoenix Zoo, University of Arizona, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service. The following individuals contributed significantly to the development, input and editing of this plan. We especially thank, Janie Agayagos, Teah Anders, Bill Burger, Terry Frederick, Dan Groebner, Bill Grossi, Paul Hardy, Sylvia Harris, Junior Kerns, Sandy Knight, David Krueper, Diane Laush, Chuck LaRue, Anita MacFarlane, Susie MacVean, David Pashley, Linden Piest, Barbara Raulston, Terry Rich, Paul Sawyer, Steve Schacht, Karen Schedler, Melissa Siders, Sue Sitko, Mark Sogge, Sheridan Stone, Brenda Strohmeyer, Cathy Taylor, Bob Vahle, Cynthia Westfall, Jack Whetstone, and Sheri Williamson. We also thank the following for their participation in conservation planning meetings, information assembly and/or manuscript review. Thank you Mary Ashley, Laurie Averill-Murray, Frank Baucom, Lee Benson, Frank Brandt, Michael Carter, Greg Clark, Kevin Dahl, Cecelia Dargan-Overty, Erin Deely, Giselle Downard, Jill Dwyer, Aaron Flesch, Thetis Gamberg, Heather Green, Ellen Hamell, Joan Hamilton, Susanna Henry, Jim Hessil, John Holmes, Marty Jakle, Edward Johnson, Terry Johnson, Natasha Kline, Wendy Laird, Stephen Laymon, Rob Marshall, Tracy McCarthey, Henry Messing, Patty O’Brien, Bruce Palmer, Dennis Parker, Tim Price, Mike Pruss, Jackie Record, Sandy Reith, Steve Rosenstock, Mike Ross, Terry Schaefer, Dave Seery, Susan Sferra, Michael Shirley, Karen Short, Ed Smith, Michael Smith, Brenda Strohmeyer, John Swett, Jan White, Sandy Williams, Don Wilson, Randolph Wilson, Craig Woods. PROJECT FUNDING Funding for this project was provided by: the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Heritage Fund, USDI Bureau of Land Management, USDI Bureau of Reclamation and DOD Department of Army. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY JUSTIFICATION Continental and local declines in many bird populations have led to concern for the future of migratory and resident birds. The reasons for declines are complex. Habitat loss, modification and fragmentation, loss of wintering and migratory habitat, and brood parasitism have been implicated. In 1990, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation brought together federal, state, and local government agencies, foundations, conservation groups, industry and the academic community to form a program to address the problem. Thus, Partners in Flight was conceived as a voluntary, international coalition dedicated to “keeping common birds common” and “reversing the downward trends of declining species.” The Arizona Working Group of Partners in Flight (APIF) developed this plan as part of the national Partners in Flight effort. PURPOSE Effective and efficient ecological management involves determining which species and habitats are most in need of conservation. This plan identifies priority species and habitats, and establishes objectives for bird populations and habitats in Arizona. The plan focuses on microhabitat requirements of priority species, but also identifies landscape scale requirements. Conservation actions are recommended and partnerships are identified to accomplish the objectives. SCOPE Of the more than 280 breeding bird species in Arizona, 43 priority species, in 13 major habitats are addressed here. Associate species that will benefit from management actions are listed with each priority species. Coordinating conservation by habitat enables land managers to efficiently focus on a set of priority birds and specific habitat characteristics they need. OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES Biological objectives are identified in each habitat to provide a target for ecological planning and implementation, and a benchmark for measuring success. Habitat strategies are identified to support the population objectives and describe the condition, amount and location of the habitat where management is needed. EVALUATION OF PROGRESS Research and monitoring needs are listed that relate directly to management questions. We intend this to be a dynamic document that will be revised as new information surfaces. Thus, we envision research and monitoring fulfilling a critical link in the adaptive nature of this plan. COORDINATION Many partners were instrumental in writing this document. However, coordination among existing and new partners is needed for the plan to succeed. Information in this plan can easily be linked with other landscape level management programs. Discussions regarding integration have already begun nationally with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and Shorebird groups. International coordination is well under way with Canada and Mexico and coordination of projects across international boundaries is planned for the implementation phase. Although this plan is specific to birds, coordination with other species groups will progress from implementation. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................1 II. STATE OF KNOWLEDGE OF ARIZONA BIRDS .................................3 Historical Perspective ......................................................3 General Inventory Studies ...................................................4 General Long-term Surveys .................................................5 Research, Inventory and Monitoring Needs .....................................5 III. BIRD PRIORITIZATION .....................................................6 Purpose ................................................................6 Process and Rankings .....................................................6 Priority Species ..........................................................8 Research, Inventory and Monitoring Needs .....................................9 IV. HABITAT ................................................................10 Habitat Naming Scheme ...................................................10 Priority Habitat Selection ..................................................10 Species Link with Habitats .................................................10 Habitat History, Current Condition and Management .............................14 Research, Inventory and Monitoring Needs ....................................14 V. PRIORITY BIRD SPECIES BY HABITAT; INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .....................................................................15 Spruce-Fir Habitat .......................................................15 Habitat Description, Status and Importance ..............................15 Species Descriptions, Objectives and Recommendations .....................16 Swainson’s Thrush ...........................................16 Pine Grosbeak ..............................................18 Golden-crowned Kinglet ......................................20 Three-toed