DOCSLIB.ORG

News, Notes, Comments

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
News, Notes, Comments News, Notes, Comments MANY FIELD BIOLOGIST INTERNS are needed ing on location),and housingprovided. For further to operate constanteffort mist-nettingand band- informationand application materials, interested ing(MAPS) stations in Washington,Oregon, Cali- persons should contact fornia,Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland,Virginia, and NorthCarolina. Internships Eric Feuss, begin21 April, 23 April or I May and end 8 Au- The Institute for Bird Populations gust, dependingon location.Applicants should P.O. Box 1346 havesubstantial birding experience; internships in- Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 cludean intensive,two-week training course in the (415-663-1436; FAX 415-663-9482, above-mentionedmonitoring techniques. Appli- e:mail IBPSTAFF(•COMPUSERVE.COM) cants with good field vehicles are especially needed.A per diemreimbursement, ranging from Please pass thisannouncement on to anyonewho approximately$438 to $617 per month(depend- might be interestedin such a position. Books A Guideto the Identificationand NaturalHistory Jamaicaor somesuch place. Sparrows as a group, of the Sparrows of the United States and Canada. however,present two majorproblems: many species J. Rising.1996. Academic Press, New York. 365 pp., are hardto observe,and mostare dulland primarily including27 colorplates. $39.95 U.S. (hardcover), brown,making identification a pain, compared to their $19.95 U.S. (paperback). more brightlycolored and visible relatives. When I was a graduatestudent, another birder once Thesetwo problemswould be reducedwith a good askedme what I was studyingfor my dissertation. fieldguide to the sparrowsand theirallies. This must "Sparrows,"was my answer. The birder looked at be the goldenage for sparrow-lovers,because no me quizzicallyfor a moment,then responded, "Well, less than three bookscovering the identificationof I guesssomebody has to studythem." sparrows, finches and their relatives have been publishedin the pastfew years,including those by Thefact that we weresurrounded by the colorfuland Clements et al. (1993) covering finches and exoticavifauna of southwesternArizona probably goldfinches,Byers et al. (1995) on sparrowsand helpedfuel my companion'sconfusion. Why study buntingsof the World,and Rising's1996 subjectof sparrowswhen such fantastic birds as trogons, thisreview. Rising covers many of the samespecies orioles and hummingbirdsare around? In fact, as Byerset al. (1995), but with a greateremphasis sparrowsform an excellentgroup to study, especially on NorthAmerican species. All threebooks have fine for banders. They provide several logistical sets of color plates illustratingthe species in detail. advantages--they usually remain close to the The mainquestion I soughtto answerin reviewing ground,where they can be caughtin mistnets, they Rising's book was, "Is this book valuable for eat seedsthat help lurethem into traps, and they banders?" nestin locationswhere their young can be banded. Foran ecologist,there are otherplusses--wintering The organizationof Rising'sbook is straightforward. sparrowseat food(seeds) that can be quantifiedmore A beginningset of chaptersintroduces the formatfor easilythan other kinds of foods(what do swiftseat, the book, and answers the question, "What are anyway?);many sparrows show one styleof social sparrows?" A set of line drawings covers the organizationinthe breeding season (territoriality) and topography of a "typical" sparrow, defining another in the winter (flocking);and since some morphologicalfeatures of a standingor flyingbird. species in the southern U.S. are permanent The "What are sparrows?"chapter includes an residents, researchers do not need to consider what introduction to the conservation and taxonomic is happeningto theirwintering habitat in Guatemala, relationshipsof the group,among other topics. Oct. - Dec. 1997 NorthAmerican Bird Bander Page173 Rising also discusses the use of subspecies Rising includesall species documentednorth of the designationsto help identificationof sparrowswith Mexican-U.S. border. In addition to the regularly marked geographicvariation. occurringspecies, there are shortaccounts for Black- faced Grassquit (Tiaris bicolor), Yellow-faced The remainder of the book consists of species Grassquit(T. olivacea), Worthen'sSparrow (Spizella accountsand plates.Each genusis introducedbriefly, worthera), and a slew of Alaskan specialties of the with the relationshipbetween the genus and other genus Ernberiza. sparrowssummarized. Species accountsfollow, with sections on identification (including a plumage The most successful part of the book is its plates, descriptionfor distinctiveage classes), voice (mostly which show plumagevariation in much greater detail songs), habits (behavioralnotes), habitat, breeding than standard field guides. In some cases there is information, range, history, geographic variation, an abundanceof information--13Song Sparrowsare measurements, and references. The references listed shown on one plate, while 21 Dark-eyed Juncos in each accountare notcomprehensive; instead, they (Junco hyernalis) cover two others. Even are mainly the works that proved most useful in morphologically"plain" species (those withoutmany compilingthe account. subspecies) get extensive coverage. There are five figures each for Botteri's and Cassin's sparrows Each speciesaccount is illustratedby a line drawing (Aimophilabotteri and A. cassiniOtogether on one by David Beadle(who also did the plates),and usually plate,with each speciesshown in bothfresh and worn includes both a range map showing breeding and plumage. An importantpart of the coverage of each wintering ranges, and an abundance map from the speciesis the provisionof goodillustrations of juvenal Breeding Bird Survey. The abundance maps were plumages, which can be particularlyconfusing for taken (withpermission) from Price et al. (1995). Many birds in the hand. accountscontain line drawings of spreadtail patterns, showinggeographic, sex or age class differences.A Even with all these portraits, some significant unique feature in the accounts is a number of charts variation is not illustrated. The melanistic race that summarize important information--e.g., nigrescens of the Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza distinguishingmarks of Chipping,Clay-colored and georgiana)is not pictured,although it is mentioned Brewer's sparrows (Spizella passedna, S. pal/ida, briefly in the text. The rufous phase of Cassin's and S. brewerIT;measurements of subspeciesof both Sparrowis not mentionedat all. Admittedly,the rufous juncos, Savannah (Passerculus sandwichensis), Cassin's is quite rare, but is has shown up in distant Song(Melospiza rnelodia), Bell's and Sage sparrows locales, such as the Farallon Islands. (Arnphispizabelli and A. nevadensis,see below);field marksfor winter longspur identification. The drawings Mostof the platesare quite successful,capturing both of tail patterns and the charts might be especially the morphologyand the "feel"of real, live sparrows. helpful to banders. I particularly liked plate 24, comparing winter- plumaged longspurs in flight, since I rarely see Species limits generally follow the latest American longspurs any other way. The Vesper Sparrows Ornithologists'Union check list, but Risingwas able (Pooecetesgrarnineus) are appropriatelypudgy, and to anticipate changes made in the last few the Black-throatedSparrow (Arnphispizabilineata) supplements. Thus, Nelson's Sharp-tailed and is much better than the inkblot in the National Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed sparrows (Arnrnodrarnus Geographic Society field guide (Scott 1987). I felt nelsoniand A. caudacutus,respectively) are given that the towhee plateswere the least successful.The separate accounts, as are Eastern and Spotted Californiaand Canyon towhees (Pipilo crissalisand towhees(Pipilo erythrophthalrnus and P. rnaculatus). P. fuscus) seem too garish for the subtle beauty of Risingalso anticipatedsome moves not yet taken these birds. (Perhaps "subtlebeauty" is a bit strong, by the A.O.U. Bell's and Sage sparrows have but I did my dissertationon Canyon Towhees, so I separate accounts,and Risingsplit the Fox Sparrow really like them.) The summerplumage Green-tailed (Passerellailiaca) into three species. On the other Towhee (P. ch/orurus)seems flat-faced,as if it ran hand, Brewer'sSparrow (Spizella brewer 0 was not intoa windowwith its head turnedto the side. Shapes split, although information is provided for the and colorsare betteron mostother species.Most of "Timberline"Sparrow ( S. "taverneri'3. the flying birds are portrayedwith their tails spread and pointed downwards. This helps to show off the Page 174 North American Bird Bander Vol. 22 No. 4 tail pattern, but is distractingfor species that don't but what is a "double-roundedtail" (page 176)? Why normallyfly that way. No flight pattern is given for the hesitation in saying that Saltmarsh Seaside the SongSparrow, which does drag its tail downward Sparrows"apparently sometimes respond to pishing." in flight. In the Eastern Towbee, juvenal plumage is said to be held for "rathera longtime." Compared to what? The text is less successfulthan the plates,and could have undergonea more careful edit. Sections are Finally, in the introductory chapter, the History missing from some accounts--there are no body sectionsof the speciesaccounts are describedby masses given for Brewer'sSparrow, Black-chinned the following:"The empasis [sic] in this section is Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis), and Yellow-eyed 'now and then,' since the available information is Junco (Juncophaeonotus), even thoughthe
Load more

Recommended publications
  • L O U I S I a N A
    L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS L O U I S I A N A SPARROWS Written by Bill Fontenot and Richard DeMay Photography by Greg Lavaty and Richard DeMay Designed and Illustrated by Diane K. Baker What is a Sparrow? Generally, sparrows are characterized as New World sparrows belong to the bird small, gray or brown-streaked, conical-billed family Emberizidae. Here in North America, birds that live on or near the ground. The sparrows are divided into 13 genera, which also cryptic blend of gray, white, black, and brown includes the towhees (genus Pipilo), longspurs hues which comprise a typical sparrow’s color (genus Calcarius), juncos (genus Junco), and pattern is the result of tens of thousands of Lark Bunting (genus Calamospiza) – all of sparrow generations living in grassland and which are technically sparrows. Emberizidae is brushland habitats. The triangular or cone- a large family, containing well over 300 species shaped bills inherent to most all sparrow species are perfectly adapted for a life of granivory – of crushing and husking seeds. “Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Sparrows possess well-developed claws on their toes, the evolutionary result of so much time spent on the ground, scratching for seeds only seven species breed here...” through leaf litter and other duff. Additionally, worldwide, 50 of which occur in the United most species incorporate a substantial amount States on a regular basis, and 33 of which have of insect, spider, snail, and other invertebrate been recorded for Louisiana. food items into their diets, especially during Of Louisiana’s 33 recorded sparrows, Opposite page: Bachman Sparrow the spring and summer months.
    [Show full text]
  • Alaska Birds & Wildlife
    Alaska Birds & Wildlife Pribilof Islands - 25th to 27th May 2016 (4 days) Nome - 28th May to 2nd June 2016 (5 days) Barrow - 2nd to 4th June 2016 (3 days) Denali & Kenai Peninsula - 5th to 13th June 2016 (9 days) Scenic Alaska by Sid Padgaonkar Trip Leader(s): Forrest Rowland and Forrest Davis RBT Alaska – Trip Report 2016 2 Top Ten Birds of the Tour: 1. Smith’s Longspur 2. Spectacled Eider 3. Bluethroat 4. Gyrfalcon 5. White-tailed Ptarmigan 6. Snowy Owl 7. Ivory Gull 8. Bristle-thighed Curlew 9. Arctic Warbler 10. Red Phalarope It would be very difficult to accurately describe a tour around Alaska - without drowning the narrative in superlatives to the point of nuisance. Not only is it an inconceivably huge area to describe, but the habitats and landscapes, though far north and less biodiverse than the tropics, are completely unique from one portion of the tour to the next. Though I will do my best, I will fail to encapsulate what it’s like to, for example, watch a coastal glacier calving into the Pacific, while being observed by Harbour Seals and on-looking Murrelets. I can’t accurately describe the sense of wilderness felt looking across the vast glacial valleys and tundra mountains of Nome, with Long- tailed Jaegers hovering overhead, a Rock Ptarmigan incubating eggs near our feet, and Muskoxen staring at us strangers to these arctic expanses. Finally, there is Denali: squinting across jagged snowy ridges that tower above 10,000 feet, mere dwarfs beneath Denali standing 20,300 feet high, making everything else in view seem small, even toy-like, by comparison.
    [Show full text]
  • Winter 2013 Volume 4, Issue 3 AZFO Elects New President
    Arizona Field Ornithologists Arizona Field Ornithologists AZFO Studying Arizona Birds Winter 2013 Volume 4, Issue 3 AZFO ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT Visit us at By Doug Jenness http://azfo.org/ Kurt Radamaker has been elected to serve as the president of the AZFO for the next two years. He succeeds Troy Corman, who served in this capac- ity since the AZFO was founded eight years ago. Radamaker, a founding AZFO member, has served on the Board of Directors and developed the organi- zation’s website. He grew up in South- ern California where he started birding at the age of eight and by 15 had com- pleted Cornell Laboratory’s Seminars in Ornithology. He taught ornithology for four years at the University of La Verne, IN THIS ISSUE: a not-for-profit university near Los An- geles, and has led bird tours to several areas in the United States, Mexico, and Central with the presentation of an AZFO Achievement • AZFO New America. He has published numerous articles on Award. Although he is stepping down from cen- President birds, including in Arizona Birds Online, and is the tral executive responsibility, he plans to continue 1 author or a contributor to the following publica- to be active in the AZFO and to help out as need- tions: Arizona and New Mexico Birds (Lone Pine ed. Corman has worked for the Nongame Branch • Gale Monson Press, 2007); Species accounts for Bitterns, Her- of the Arizona Game and Fish Department since Grants ons and allies, and Ibises and Spoonbills in The 1990 and coordinated the Arizona Breeding Bird 1 Complete Guide to North American Birds (National Atlas project.
    [Show full text]
  • NH Bird Records
    V28 No4-Winter09-10_f 8/22/10 4:45 PM Page i New Hampshire Bird Records Winter 2009-10 Vol. 28, No. 4 V28 No4-Winter09-10_f 8/22/10 4:45 PM Page ii AUDUBON SOCIETY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE New Hampshire Bird Records Volume 28, Number 4 Winter 2009-10 Managing Editor: Rebecca Suomala 603-224-9909 X309, [email protected] Text Editor: Dan Hubbard Season Editors: Pamela Hunt, Spring; Tony Vazzano, Summer; Stephen Mirick, Fall; David Deifik, Winter Layout: Kathy McBride Assistants: Jeannine Ayer, Lynn Edwards, Margot Johnson, Susan MacLeod, Marie Nickerson, Carol Plato, William Taffe, Jean Tasker, Tony Vazzano Photo Quiz: David Donsker Photo Editor: Jon Woolf Web Master: Len Medlock Editorial Team: Phil Brown, Hank Chary, David Deifik, David Donsker, Dan Hubbard, Pam Hunt, Iain MacLeod, Len Medlock, Stephen Mirick, Robert Quinn, Rebecca Suomala, William Taffe, Lance Tanino, Tony Vazzano, Jon Woolf Cover Photo: Peregrine Falcon by Jon Woolf, 12/1/09, Hampton Beach State Park, Hampton, NH. New Hampshire Bird Records is published quarterly by New Hampshire Audubon’s Conservation Department. Bird sight- ings are submitted to NH eBird (www.ebird.org/nh) by many different observers. Records are selected for publication and not all species reported will appear in the issue. The published sightings typically represent the highlights of the season. All records are subject to review by the NH Rare Birds Committee and publication of reports here does not imply future acceptance by the Committee. Please contact the Managing Editor if you would like to report your sightings but are unable to use NH eBird.
    [Show full text]
  • Birds on San Clemente Island, As Part of Our Work Toward the Recovery of the Island’S Endangered Species
    WESTERN BIRDS Volume 36, Number 3, 2005 THE BIRDS OF SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND BRIAN L. SULLIVAN, PRBO Conservation Science, 4990 Shoreline Hwy., Stinson Beach, California 94970-9701 (current address: Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, New York 14850) ERIC L. KERSHNER, Institute for Wildlife Studies, 2515 Camino del Rio South, Suite 334, San Diego, California 92108 With contributing authors JONATHAN J. DUNN, ROBB S. A. KALER, SUELLEN LYNN, NICOLE M. MUNKWITZ, and JONATHAN H. PLISSNER ABSTRACT: From 1992 to 2004, we observed birds on San Clemente Island, as part of our work toward the recovery of the island’s endangered species. We increased the island’s bird list to 317 species, by recording many additional vagrants and seabirds. The list includes 20 regular extant breeding species, 6 species extirpated as breeders, 5 nonnative introduced species, and 9 sporadic or newly colonizing breeding species. For decades San Clemente Island had been ravaged by overgrazing, especially by goats, which were removed completely in 1993. Since then, the island’s vegetation has begun recovering, and the island’s avifauna will likely change again as a result. We document here the status of that avifauna during this transitional period of re- growth, between the island’s being largely denuded of vegetation and a more natural state. It is still too early to evaluate the effects of the vegetation’s still partial recovery on birds, but the beginnings of recovery may have enabled the recent colonization of small numbers of Grasshopper Sparrows and Lazuli Buntings. Sponsored by the U. S. Navy, efforts to restore the island’s endangered species continue—among birds these are the Loggerhead Shrike and Sage Sparrow.
    [Show full text]
  • Cochise County Field Checklist
    1 2 3 4 5 Note 1 2 3 4 5 Note Field Checklist of the Birds of Field Checklist of Cochise County The Birds of Cochise County Checklist of the Birds of Cochise County This list conforms to the A.O.U. checklist order and nomenclature, as of July 2005. * = Arizona bird committee review species. #= Arizona bird committee sketch details (int) Introduced Checklists available at Arizona Field Ornithologists Website http://AZFO.org Regional Reports Coordinator Mark Stevenson layout and design by Kurt and Cindy Radamaker October 2005 1 2 3 4 5 Note Great-tailed Grackle ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bronzed Cowbird ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Locality __________________________________ Brown-headed Cowbird ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Observer(s) _______________________________ Orchard Oriole* ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 1 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ Hooded Oriole ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Streak-backed Oriole* Weather __________________________________ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Baltimore Oriole* Remarks __________________________________ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bullock’s Oriole ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Scott’s Oriole ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Fringillidae - Finches and Goldfinches ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Pine Grosbeak Locality __________________________________ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Purple Finch* ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Observer(s) _______________________________ Cassin’s Finch ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 2 Date __________Time ______ Total Species ____ House Finch ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Weather __________________________________ Red Crossbill ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Pine Siskin Remarks __________________________________
    [Show full text]
  • Demography of Sooty Fox Sparrows Following a Shift from a Migratory to Resident Life History
    Canadian Journal of Zoology Demography of sooty fox sparrows following a shift from a migratory to resident life history Journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology Manuscript ID cjz-2017-0102.R2 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the Author: 08-Oct-2017 Complete List of Authors: Visty, Hannah; University of British Columbia, Forest and Conservation Sciences Wilson, Scott; Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research CentreDraft Germain, Ryan; University of British Columbia, Forest and Conservation Science; University of Aberdeen, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences Krippel, Jessica; University of British Columbia, Forest and Conservation Science Arcese, Peter; Univ of British Columba, sooty fox sparrow, demography, population growth, MIGRATION < Keyword: Discipline, colonization, Passerella unalaschcensis https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Page 1 of 20 Canadian Journal of Zoology 1 Demography of sooty fox sparrows following a shift from a migratory to resident life history Hannah Visty1, Scott Wilson2, Ryan Germain1,3, Jessica Krippel1, and Peter Arcese1 1Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] 2Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel by Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3; [email protected] 3Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Zoology Building, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, United Kingdom; [email protected] Draft Contact author: Hannah Visty, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4; [email protected]; Phone: 778-985-6200; Fax: 8229103 https://mc06.manuscriptcentral.com/cjz-pubs Canadian Journal of Zoology Page 2 of 20 2 Demography of sooty fox sparrows following a shift from a migratory to resident life history Hannah Visty (H.
    [Show full text]
  • Songbird Remix Sparrows of the World
    Avian Models for 3D Applications Characters and Texture Mapping by Ken Gilliland 1 Songbird ReMix Sparrows of the World Contents Manual Introduction 3 Overview and Use 3 Creating a Songbird ReMix Bird with Poser or DAZ Studio 4 One Folder to Rule Them All 4 Physical-based Rendering 5 Posing & Shaping Considerations 5 Where to Find Your Birds and Poses 6 Field Guide List of Species 7 Old World Sparrows Spanish Sparrow 8 Italian Sparrow 10 Eurasian Tree Sparrow 12 Dead Sea Sparrow 14 Arabian Golden Sparrow 16 Russet Sparrow 17 Cape Sparrow 19 Great Sparrow 21 Chestnut Sparrow 23 New World Sparrows American Tree Sparrow 25 Harris's Sparrow 28 Fox Sparrow 30 Golden-crowned Sparrow 32 Lark Sparrow 35 Lincoln's Sparrow 37 Rufous-crowned Sparrow 39 Savannah Sparrow 43 Rufous-winged Sparrow 47 Resources, Credits and Thanks 49 Copyrighted 2013-20 by Ken Gilliland www.songbirdremix.com Opinions expressed on this booklet are solely that of the author, Ken Gilliland, and may or may not reflect the opinions of the publisher. 2 Songbird ReMix Sparrows of the World Introduction Sparrows are probably the most familiar of all wild birds. Throughout history sparrows have been considered the harbinger of good or bad luck. They are referred to in many works of ancient literature and religious texts around the world. The ancient Egyptians used the sparrow symbol in their hieroglyphs to express evil tidings, the ancient Greeks associated it with Aphrodite, the goddess of love as a lustful messenger, and Jesus used sparrows as an example of divine providence in the Gospel of Matthew.
    [Show full text]
  • BLESS Bird Guide to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
    Bird Guide to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, Alberta Big Lake Environment Support Society Credits Technical information Most of the information on bird species was reprinted with permission from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website AllAboutBirds.org, some text came from Wikipedia, and some was modified for the Big Lake region of Alberta. Photographs Local photographers were approached for good quality images, and where good photographs were not available then freely available images from Wikipedia were used (see page 166 for individual photo credits). Funding City of St. Albert, Environmental Initiatives Grant Administration and Review Miles Constable Big Lake Environment Support Society Produced by Big Lake Environment Support Society P.O. Box 65053 St. Albert, Ab T8N 5Y3 www.bless.ab.ca For information contact [email protected] 2 Bird Guide to Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, Alberta 2016 3 Location of Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, Alberta Map courtesy of Google, Inc. There are a great many birds to be seen in Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park as Big Lake has been designated an Important Bird Area. This Guide features the most commonly seen birds; however, it is not a complete guide to all birds that could be seen at Big Lake. If you are, or become, passionate about birds, we recommend a comprehensive guide to the birds of North America as there are many species that migrate through Big Lake, or that are expanding their range into this area for a variety of reasons. There are also simply those individuals that wander off course and end up in our area; those wonderful lost individuals that keep birders on their toes.
    [Show full text]
  • Determining Breeding Areas and Migration Routes of Coastal
    Determining Breeding Areas and Migration Routes of Coastal Northwest Sooty Fox Sparrows (Passerella iliaca unalaschcensis ) Over-Wintering on Vancouver Island using Geolocators Summary The phylogeography of the Fox Sparrow ( Passerella iliaca ) has been much debated, but birds breeding along the west coast of North America are generally considered to be a separate species ( Passerella iliaca unalaschecensis ) based on mitochondrial DNA. Using plumage characteristics, a further seven sub- species have been identified within this group. These subspecies, and their migration patterns, have become an emblematic example of leap-frog migration, based upon the early work of Swarth (1920). However, more recently, these connectivity patterns have been called into question, partly based on the relative difficulty in accurately distinguishing plumages and subspecies in the field. Light-level geolcators are now small enough to be carried by <50 g songbirds and can reveal remarkable new insights into migration patterns and behaviour. Using geolocators, we will track a population of Fox Sparrows overwintering on southern Vancouver Island to their breeding areas. The objectives of this study are two-fold: 1) Based on leapfrog patterns identified by Swarth (1920) we will use direct-tracking methods to test the hypothesis that birds overwintering on Vancouver Island breed on the island and do not mix with birds along the northwest coast (i.e. strong connectivity) and 2) Identify connections between overwintering and breeding areas that are important to conservation and management of Fox Sparrow populations. Personnel • Project Leader: Michael Simmons, Rocky Point Bird Observatory (RPBO) • Migration Research Advisor: Dr. Bridget Stutchbury, York University • Science and Geolocator Technical Advisor and Data Analyst: Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Fourteenth Supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-List of North American Birds
    "^"iqS^'^] Fourteenth SuppkmeiU to the A. 0. U. Check-List. 343 FOURTEENTH SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION CHECK-LIST OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. The Thirteenth Supplement to the Check-List was issued in July, 1904 (Auk, XXI, pp. 41 1-424). ^ Since this date the Com- mittee has held six sessions, all except one in Washington, at the following dates : April 21-25, 1905; January 17-20, 1906; Novem- ber 16-17, 1906; April 18-23, 1907; December 12, 1907 (at Phila- delphia); April 15-20, 1908. In view of the probable early appearance of a third edition of the Check-List, authorized by the Union at the Stated ^Meeting held in November, 1906, it seemed best to the Committee to withhold its reports from publication till the results of its work should appear in the new Check-List. Now that the manuscript for the new edition is practically completed, it seems desirable that the Com- mittee should, in accordance with precedent, give reasons for the changes it has instituted during the last four years, since these cannot be readily indicated in the Check-List. Its decisions involve, as usual, additions to and eliminations from the Check- List, changes in nomenclature and in the status of groups, and the rejection of many proposed additions, and changes in nomenclature and status. The Committee has aimed to secure as stable a foundation, as possible for the new Check-List, anticipating a few changes in names that would soon surely arise, as well as those already pro- posed. Nearly all of the nomenclature changes here recorded are due to the strict enforcement of the laAv of priority, and result from the recent bibliographic work of a large number of investi- gators, abroad as well as in America.
    [Show full text]
  • Migration of Birds Circular 16
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migration of Birds Circular 16 Migration of Birds Circular 16 by Frederick C. Lincoln, 1935 revised by Steven R. Peterson, 1979 revised by John L. Zimmerman, 1998 Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS Associate editor Peter A. Anatasi Illustrated by Bob Hines U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE D E R P O A I R R E T T M N EN I T OF THE U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE..............................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................2 EARLY IDEAS ABOUT MIGRATION............................................................4 TECHNIQUES FOR STUDYING MIGRATION..........................................6 Direct Observation ....................................................................................6 Aural ............................................................................................................7 Preserved Specimens ................................................................................7 Marking ......................................................................................................7 Radio Tracking ..........................................................................................8 Radar Observation ....................................................................................9 EVOLUTION OF MIGRATION......................................................................10
    [Show full text]