DOCSLIB.ORG

Least Bittern Ixobrychus Exilis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Least Bittern Ixobrychus Exilis COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada THREATENED 2009 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 36 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Previous reports: COSEWIC 2001. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. v + 10 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). James, R.D. 1999. Update COSEWIC status report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-10 pp. Sandilands, A.P. and C.A. Campbell. 1988. COSEWIC status report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 40 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Andrew G. Horn for writing the status report on the Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada, overseen and edited by Richard Cannings and Jon McCracken, Co-chairs, COSEWIC Birds Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur le petit blongios (Ixobrychus exilis) au Canada – Mise à jour. Cover photo: Least Bittern — Photograph by Benoit Jobin. ©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009. Catalogue No. CW69-14/409-2009E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-12935-8 Recycled paper COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – April 2009 Common name Least Bittern Scientific name Ixobrychus exilis Status Threatened Reason for designation This diminutive member of the heron family has a preference for nesting near pools of open water in relatively large marshes that are dominated by cattail and other robust emergent plants. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Canada through much of the eastern U.S. Information on the population size and exact distribution of this secretive species is somewhat limited. Nevertheless, the best available evidence indicates that the population is small (about 3000 individuals) and declining (> 30% in the last 10 years), largely owing to the loss and degradation of high-quality marsh habitats across its range. Occurrence Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nove Scotia Status history Designated Special Concern in April 1988. Status re-examined and confirmed in April 1999. Status re-examined and designated Threatened in November 2001 and in April 2009. Last assessment based on an update status report. iii COSEWIC Executive Summary Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis Species information The Least Bittern, Ixobrychus exilis, is the smallest heron in the Western Hemisphere, seldom seen in its dense marsh habitat. In shape and secretive habits it resembles the more familiar American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus, but it is much smaller and somewhat more colourful. Its contrasting dark crown and back, and buff wing patches distinguish it from all other marsh birds. Even so, it is very secretive and most often detected only by its cuckoo-like call. Distribution The species nests from southern Canada to southern South America, with North American birds wintering mainly along the Gulf and Mexican coasts, south to Panama. In Canada, it breeds in southern Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and probably Nova Scotia, with the majority of birds breeding in southern Ontario. The estimated extent of occurrence (EO) in Canada is 1,331,000 km2. The area of occupancy (AO) is much smaller, but is currently difficult to estimate, given uncertainties in population size and distribution. Habitat Least Bitterns breed strictly in marshes of emergents (usually cattails, Typha spp.) that have relatively stable water levels and interspersed areas of open water. Such marshes have declined considerably across the birds’ range since European settlement, although recently the rate of decline might be slowing, thanks to protection and stewardship programs for wetlands. iv Biology Adults arrive on Canadian breeding grounds starting in late April, with calling and nesting beginning by mid-May. They are only weakly territorial, sometimes nesting in small, loose colonies. As such, territory and home range size are highly variable. Nest success also varies considerably, as nests are subject to flooding, collapse, and depredation by a variety of predators. Some individuals can raise two broods in one season, but most other key facts about demography, such as age at first breeding and generation time are uncertain. Population sizes and trends About 1500 pairs (3000 mature individuals) are thought to nest in Canada, but the precision of this is uncertain. Numbers seem to be stable globally, but historically they have declined in Canada, and in the northern and central United States. The degree of recent declines is hard to assess, because the birds are hard to detect, but bird atlas projects and marsh bird monitoring programs suggest a decline in Ontario of >30% over the past decade. While trend information is currently lacking for other provincial jurisdictions, the majority of the Canadian population occurs in southern Ontario. Limiting factors and threats Habitat loss and degradation are by far the biggest threats to the species. Historically, they consisted of wholesale destruction of marshes, mainly for agriculture. More recently, habitat loss has slowed, but degradation continues in much of the range through such factors as fragmentation, reduced water quality, and invasive marsh plants. Other threats apply more locally, such as collisions with towers, fences, and cars, recreational activities, and perhaps toxins such as pesticides. Special significance of the species Least Bitterns are not used commercially, but are highly valued by naturalists, as mysterious, attractive birds representative of pristine expanses of marshland. They are considered useful indicators of the health of such habitats. Existing protection or other status designations The species is protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and by its current listing as Threatened under the Species at Risk Act. It is also provincially listed as Threatened in Ontario and Likely to be Designated as Threatened or Vulnerable in Quebec. It is not listed globally by the IUCN, nor federally in the United States, but 16 states have listed it under various designations of conservation concern. v COSEWIC HISTORY The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process. COSEWIC MANDATE The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens. COSEWIC MEMBERSHIP COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species. DEFINITIONS (2009) Wildlife Species A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years. Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists. Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere. Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Special Concern (SC)* A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk (NAR)** A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bird List Column A: We Should Encounter (At Least a 90% Chance) Column B: May Encounter (About a 50%-90% Chance) Column C: Possible, but Unlikely (20% – 50% Chance)
    THE PHILIPPINES Prospective Bird List Column A: we should encounter (at least a 90% chance) Column B: may encounter (about a 50%-90% chance) Column C: possible, but unlikely (20% – 50% chance) A B C Philippine Megapode (Tabon Scrubfowl) X Megapodius cumingii King Quail X Coturnix chinensis Red Junglefowl X Gallus gallus Palawan Peacock-Pheasant X Polyplectron emphanum Wandering Whistling Duck X Dendrocygna arcuata Eastern Spot-billed Duck X Anas zonorhyncha Philippine Duck X Anas luzonica Garganey X Anas querquedula Little Egret X Egretta garzetta Chinese Egret X Egretta eulophotes Eastern Reef Egret X Egretta sacra Grey Heron X Ardea cinerea Great-billed Heron X Ardea sumatrana Purple Heron X Ardea purpurea Great Egret X Ardea alba Intermediate Egret X Ardea intermedia Cattle Egret X Ardea ibis Javan Pond-Heron X Ardeola speciosa Striated Heron X Butorides striatus Yellow Bittern X Ixobrychus sinensis Von Schrenck's Bittern X Ixobrychus eurhythmus Cinnamon Bittern X Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Black Bittern X Ixobrychus flavicollis Black-crowned Night-Heron X Nycticorax nycticorax Western Osprey X Pandion haliaetus Oriental Honey-Buzzard X Pernis ptilorhynchus Barred Honey-Buzzard X Pernis celebensis Black-winged Kite X Elanus caeruleus Brahminy Kite X Haliastur indus White-bellied Sea-Eagle X Haliaeetus leucogaster Grey-headed Fish-Eagle X Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WINGS ● 1643 N. Alvernon Way Ste. 109 ● Tucson ● AZ ● 85712 ● www.wingsbirds.com
    [Show full text]
  • La Mancha, Coto Donana & Extremadura 2017
    Field Guides Tour Report Spain: La Mancha, Coto Donana & Extremadura 2017 May 6, 2017 to May 18, 2017 Chris Benesh & Godfried Schreur For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE. Spectacular skies greeted us during our visit to old Trujillo in the heart of Extremadura. Photo by guide Chris Benesh. So many birds around that you don´t know which to choose and observe. Do you recognize this feeling? We experienced many of these exciting moments in Spain during the Field Guides tour in May. It started straight away, on the first day, overlooking the natural lagoons of La Mancha Húmeda, where we had the chance to observe a great variety of species of ducks, grebes, terns, and passerines. The highlights here were the White-headed Duck, Eared Grebe, Red-crested Pochard, Whiskered Tern and Penduline Tit. In the National Park of Coto Donana again we found ourselves surrounded by birds: larks, bee-eaters, flamingos, Great Reed Warblers, Glossy Ibis, Squacco and Purple herons and a surprisingly well showing Little Bittern. With a bit of searching, scanning and listening we were able to also detect Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Teal and Isabelline (Western Olivaceous) Warbler. Later in the week, close to Trujillo (Extremadura), we all enjoyed the excursion on the open, rolling plains, with Great and Little bustards, Eurasian Roller, Hoopoe, Calandra Lark, Montagu´s Harrier and many, many White Storks. For the shy Black Storks we had to wait one day more. In Monfrague National Park we discovered 3 pairs nesting on the breathtaking cliff of Peña Falcón.
    [Show full text]
  • EARTH Ltd PME Threatened Habitats Handout
    501-C-3 at Southwick’s Zoo, 2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA 01756 PROTECTING MY EARTH: LOCALLY THREATENED HABITATS (MA) FACTS & FIGURES “Protecting My EARTH” is an environmental education program offered by EARTH Ltd. to help students learn how to take better care of their community and their planet. KEY TERMS AND DEFINITIONS • Conservation: a careful preservation and protection of something; especially planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect • Habitat: the place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows • Ecosystem: everything that exists in a particular environment • Endangered: a species in danger of becoming extinct • Extinct: no longer existing • Threatened: having an uncertain chance of continued survival; likely to become an endangered species • Vulnerable: easily damaged; likely to become an endangered species • CITES - Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: an international agreement between governments effective since 1975. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Roughly 5,600 species of animals and 30,000 species of plants are protected by CITES as of 2013. There are currently 181 countries (of about 196) that are contracting parties. • IUCN - International Union for the Conservation of Nature: world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization, with almost 1,300 government and NGO Members and more than 15,000 volunteer experts in 185 countries. Their work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development.
    [Show full text]
  • Ixobrychus Exilis (Gmelin) Leastleast Bitternbittern, Page 1
    Ixobrychus exilis (Gmelin) Leastleast Bitternbittern, Page 1 State Distribution Best Survey Period Copyright The Otter Side Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Status: State threatened state.” Wood (1951) identified the species as a summer resident and common in southern tiers of counties and Global and state rank: G5/S2 Cheboygan County, but rare and local in the Upper Peninsula. Least bittern was later described by Payne Family: Ardeidae – Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (1983) as an uncommon transient and summer resident, with nesting confirmed in 27 counties. Michigan Total range: Five subspecies of least bittern are found Breeding Bird Atlas (Atlas) surveys conducted in the throughout much of North, Central, and South America 1980s confirmed breeding in 20 survey blocks in 17 (Gibbs et al. 1992). In North America, this species is counties (Adams 1991). All of these observations primarily restricted to the eastern U.S., ranging from occurred in the Lower Peninsula, with the number of the Great Plains states eastward to the Atlantic Coast blocks and counties with confirmed breeding nearly split and north to the Great Lakes region and the New between the northern (9 blocks in 8 counties) and England states (Evers 1994). Western populations are southern (11 blocks in 9 counties) Lower Peninsula concentrated in low-lying areas of the Central Valley (Adams 1991). Researchers confirmed nesting at and Modoc Plateau of California, the Klamath and several sites on Saginaw Bay and observed possible Malheur basins of Oregon, and along the Colorado breeding in Munuscong Bay wetlands (Chippewa River in southwest Arizona and southeast California County) during avian studies conducted in the mid- (Gibbs et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Australasian Bittern (Botaurus Poiciloptilus) Western Australian Recovery Plan
    Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) Western Australian Recovery Plan Wildlife Management Program No. 64 Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions August 2018 Wildlife Management Program No. 64 Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) Western Australian Recovery Plan August 2018 Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983 Foreword Recovery plans are developed within the framework provided in Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Corporate Policy Statement No. 35 (Parks and Wildlife, 2015c), and the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy Recovery Planning Compliance Checklist for Legislative and Process Requirements (DoE, 2014). Recovery plans outline the recovery actions that are needed to urgently address those threatening processes most affecting the ongoing survival of threatened taxa or ecological communities, and begin the recovery process. The attainment of objectives and the provision of funds necessary to implement actions are subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. This plan will operate for a 10 year period but will remain in force until withdrawn or replaced and will be reviewed at least at five year intervals. This recovery plan was approved by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia. Approved recovery plans are subject
    [Show full text]
  • Ixobrychus Minutus (Common Little Bittern)
    Ixobrychus minutus (Common Little Bittern) European Red List of Birds Supplementary Material The European Union (EU27) Red List assessments were based principally on the official data reported by EU Member States to the European Commission under Article 12 of the Birds Directive in 2013-14. For the European Red List assessments, similar data were sourced from BirdLife Partners and other collaborating experts in other European countries and territories. For more information, see BirdLife International (2015). Contents Reported national population sizes and trends p. 2 Trend maps of reported national population data p. 4 Sources of reported national population data p. 6 Species factsheet bibliography p. 11 Recommended citation BirdLife International (2015) European Red List of Birds. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. Further information http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/info/euroredlist http://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/european-red-list-birds-0 http://www.iucnredlist.org/initiatives/europe http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/conservation/species/redlist/ Data requests and feedback To request access to these data in electronic format, provide new information, correct any errors or provide feedback, please email [email protected]. THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™ BirdLife International (2015) European Red List of Birds Ixobrychus minutus (Common Little Bittern) Table 1. Reported national breeding population size and trends in Europe1. Country (or Population estimate Short-term population trend4 Long-term population trend4 Subspecific population (where relevant) 2 territory) Size (pairs)3 Europe (%) Year(s) Quality Direction5 Magnitude (%)6 Year(s) Quality Direction5 Magnitude (%)6 Year(s) Quality Albania 100-350 <1 2002-2012 medium 0 0 2002-2012 medium - 10-20 1980-2012 poor Armenia 1,500-2,000 2 2002-2012 medium ? ? Austria 180-270 <1 2001-2012 medium 0 0 2001-2012 medium ? I.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Risk Assessment of Cane Toads in Kakadu National Park Scientist Report 164, Supervising Scientist, Darwin NT
    supervising scientist 164 report A preliminary risk assessment of cane toads in Kakadu National Park RA van Dam, DJ Walden & GW Begg supervising scientist national centre for tropical wetland research This report has been prepared by staff of the Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss) as part of our commitment to the National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research Rick A van Dam Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, Locked Bag 2, Jabiru NT 0886, Australia (Present address: Sinclair Knight Merz, 100 Christie St, St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia) David J Walden Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia George W Begg Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801, Australia This report should be cited as follows: van Dam RA, Walden DJ & Begg GW 2002 A preliminary risk assessment of cane toads in Kakadu National Park Scientist Report 164, Supervising Scientist, Darwin NT The Supervising Scientist is part of Environment Australia, the environmental program of the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage © Commonwealth of Australia 2002 Supervising Scientist Environment Australia GPO Box 461, Darwin NT 0801 Australia ISSN 1325-1554 ISBN 0 642 24370 0 This work is copyright Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Supervising Scientist Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction
    [Show full text]
  • Compendium of Avian Ecology
    Compendium of Avian Ecology ZOL 360 Brian M. Napoletano All images taken from the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html Taxonomic information based on the A.O.U. Check List of North American Birds, 7th Edition, 1998. Ecological Information obtained from multiple sources, including The Sibley Guide to Birds, Stokes Field Guide to Birds. Nest and other images scanned from the ZOL 360 Coursepack. Neither the images nor the information herein be copied or reproduced for commercial purposes without the prior consent of the original copyright holders. Full Species Names Common Loon Wood Duck Gaviiformes Anseriformes Gaviidae Anatidae Gavia immer Anatinae Anatini Horned Grebe Aix sponsa Podicipediformes Mallard Podicipedidae Anseriformes Podiceps auritus Anatidae Double-crested Cormorant Anatinae Pelecaniformes Anatini Phalacrocoracidae Anas platyrhynchos Phalacrocorax auritus Blue-Winged Teal Anseriformes Tundra Swan Anatidae Anseriformes Anatinae Anserinae Anatini Cygnini Anas discors Cygnus columbianus Canvasback Anseriformes Snow Goose Anatidae Anseriformes Anatinae Anserinae Aythyini Anserini Aythya valisineria Chen caerulescens Common Goldeneye Canada Goose Anseriformes Anseriformes Anatidae Anserinae Anatinae Anserini Aythyini Branta canadensis Bucephala clangula Red-Breasted Merganser Caspian Tern Anseriformes Charadriiformes Anatidae Scolopaci Anatinae Laridae Aythyini Sterninae Mergus serrator Sterna caspia Hooded Merganser Anseriformes Black Tern Anatidae Charadriiformes Anatinae
    [Show full text]
  • American Bittern Bitterns Likely Declined Greatly in the Botaurus Lentiginosus Central Valley with the Dramatic Loss of Historical Wetlands
    CALIFORNIA RICE A California Riceland Success Story Numbers of both wintering and breeding American Bittern bitterns likely declined greatly in the Botaurus lentiginosus Central Valley with the dramatic loss of historical wetlands. The species has since adapted to the large expansion of rice cultivation in the Sacramento Valley since World War II and subsequently its population size appears to have increased. Hopefully additional research will better determine American Bittern the bittern’s population size and how this Botaurus lentiginosus species benefits from rice cultivation. Current and past population data No estimates are available for the size of this species’ population or its densities in suitable habitat in California or the Central Valley. Limited data indicate that bittern populations in these regions have been relatively stable since the late 1960s. Information regarding each species’ benefit to rice growers No documented benefit, but it is possible that bitterns consume some invertebrate pests in rice fields. Species in focus Prepared by: www.calrice.org American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Appearance Size: 24 –33 in Weight: 13–18 oz water but sometimes over dry ground in struc- turally-comparable herbaceous cover in uplands A medium-sized heron with a compact body and surrounding a wetland basin. Birds foraging in neck and relatively short legs. Plumage mainly rice fields likely nest in denser and taller vegetation brown above, with flecks or streaks of black, in nearby canals or weedy upland fields. buff, and cream color, and heavily streaked with brown, white, and buff below. Brown crown, Food/feeding and black streak from below eyes down side of A solitary feeder that relies more on stealth and neck (lacking in young birds).
    [Show full text]
  • Reference Bird List
    Species R SP SU FA WI Notes:_________________________________________________ John G. and Susan H. Shrikes Laniidae Loggerhead Shrike (P) U U U U Vireo Vireonidae DuPuis, Jr. ________________________________________________________ White-eyed Vireo (P) C C C C Blue-headed Vireo (W) C Wildlife and Jays & Crows Corvidae American Crow (P) C C C C ________________________________________________________ Fish Crow (P) C C C C Environmental Blue Jay (P) C C C C Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers Swallows Hirundinidae ________________________________________________________ Purple Martin (S) U U Species R SP SU FA WI Area Northern Rough-winged Swallow (W) O O O O Parulidae Barn Swallow (P) O O O O Wood-Warblers Prothonotary Warbler (S) R R Tree Swallow (W) C ________________________________________________________ Pine Warbler (P) C C C C Wrens Troglodytidae Palm Warbler (W) C C C C Carolina Wren (P) C C C C Prairie Warbler (P) C C C C House Wren (W) U Yellow-rumped Warbler (W) C C C ________________________________________________________ Kinglets Regulidae Yellow-throated Warbler (W) C C Ruby-crowned Kinglet (W) C Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher (W) C C C C Black-throated Green Warbler (W) O We are interested in your sightings. Please share your American Redstart (W) O observations with us. Thrushes Turdidae Black and White Warbler (W) C C Eastern Bluebird (P) R R R R Enjoy your visit! American Robin (W) C Northern Parula (W) R Common Yellowthroat (P) C C C C Mockingbirds & Thrashers Mimidae Gray Catbird (W) C C Ovenbird (W) O O Additional contact information:
    [Show full text]
  • The First Recorded Cory's Bittern (Ixobrychus "Neoxenus") from South America
    April 1985] ShortCommunications 413 American passerine birds in the nesting cycle. central coastalCalifornia. Unpublished M.S. the- Ornithol. Monogr. 9: 1-76. sis,Berkeley, California, Univ. California. WILLIAMS,P. L. 1982. A comparisonof colonial and non-colonial nesting by Northern Orioles in Received27 April 1984,accepted 16 November1984. The First RecordedCory's Bittern (lxobrychus "neoxenus")from South America DANTE MARTINS TEIXEIRA• AND HERCULANO M. F. ALVARENGA2 •MuseuNacional, Rio de Janeiro(R J), CEP 20942, Brazil,and 2RuaColdmbia 99, Taubat[ (SP), CEP 12100, Brazil Describedby Cory (1886), Ixobrychus"neoxenus" is ochraceous,and all previously described I. "neoxe- considereda variant morph of the Least Bittern (Ixo- nus" have been adults. brychuse. exilis),characterized by contrasting dark Bent (1926) considered I. "neoxenus"to be an ex- chestnutunderparts and blackishupperparts. About ample of melanismand erythrism, and a comparison 30 specimensare known, mostlyfrom southernFlor- of our specimen with typically colored I. exiliseryth- ida and Ontario, but there are also records from Mas- romelasseems to point to hyperpigmentation.Indeed, sachusetts,New York, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and a superproductionof eumelanins and phaeomelanins Wisconsin (Bent 1926, Hancock and Elliot 1978). Thus, perhapscould explain the deep blackishtinges of the it was quite a surprisefor us to obtain a specimenof upperparts and the rufous chestnut color of the the SouthAmerican Ixobrychus exilis erythromelas in foreneck,breast, etc. observedin this unusualplum- this rather uncommonplumage. Apparently, this is age (Vevers 1964). the first time this morph has been reportedoutside As mentioned above, I. "neoxenus" is considered a North America. rare morph, and our observations in southeastern The bird was collectedon 13 May 1967 in the rice Brazil seem to reinforce this supposition.Although fields of the Paraibado Sul drainage,county of Tau- I.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Conservation of American and Least Bitterns in South Carolina William Post Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
    Status and Conservation of American and Least Bitterns in South Carolina William Post Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403 Introduction Two species of solitary marsh-nesting Ardeidae, the American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) and the Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis), nest in North America. Both have been classified in parts of their respective ranges as threatened, endangered, or of special concern. Their population declines are related to destruction of freshwater wetlands. Due to the secretive behavior of these birds and the relatively inaccessible habitats that they occupy, little is known about their biology in southeastern North America. In this paper I review what is known of the two species in South Carolina and adjacent areas. American Bittern Autumn and winter. Unlike other herons occurring in the Southeast, most individuals of this species are solitary and cryptic all year. This behavior makes it difficult to locate more than one or two individuals in a day’s field work. Because the American Bittern occurs in the summer as either a breeder or vagrant, it is difficult to establish the dates of its arrival in the autumn or of its departure in the spring. Single birds reported on the edge of Hell-Hole Swamp, Charleston County, on 11 August 1921 (E. A. Hyer) and at Bear Island, Colleton County, on 10 July 1991 (J. E. Cely) were possibly vagrants (McNair and Post 1993). Tomkins (1958) states that although the American Bittern was “more common than one would suspect” during winter at the Savannah River Wildlife Refuge (Jasper County), E. O. Mellinger, the refuge manager, had no information that the species occurred in summer.
    [Show full text]