FlightPath

Volume 2, Issue 2 Fall 2008 Human Population Notes from the Field and Biodiversity “Bridging” the Bird Gap Birds as Indicators of Todd Katzner, Ph.D. Human Impacts on the With my head held back as far as regularly in the area. Every year, active Environment it would go, I stared directly up and and usually successful breeding Steven Latta, Ph.D. wondered how in the heck we were occurs on the Cathedral of Learning The transformation of natural habitats going to get to that Peregrine Falcon in Oakland and on the Gulf Tower represents one of the great forces in global nest. Together with officers of the in downtown Pittsburgh. Likewise, environmental change and one of the great Pennsylvania Game Commission and in recent years, breeding pairs of drivers of biodiversity loss. From coastal several members of PennDOT’s bridge Peregrine Falcons have occupied a wetlands to montane forests, habitats team, we were underneath one of number of our local bridges. and entire ecosystems are eliminated, Pittsburgh’s biggest bridges, tracking Pittsburgh’s peregrines breeding degraded and fragmented in myriad ways. down a report of breeding Peregrine on buildings use small, graveled nest Human attempts to use and subdue natural Falcons. I’m not normally afraid of boxes placed on high ledges. Charles habitats have been a constant theme in the heights, but this structure was a bit Bier of the Western Pennsylvania earth’s transformation in many societies intimidating, even for me. Conservancy originally established our and many lands. As most residents of our city local nest boxes. Now, the National Human activities and population growth know, Peregrine Falcon populations Aviary, the Pennsylvania Game impact birds at their breeding sites, during have been growing recently. These Commission and building owners migration, and in the winter on their non- incredible birds are now breeding collectively manage the boxes. breeding grounds. Just as birds respond to Bridge-breeding birds are habitat degradation, they will also respond another story. In each case, the to conservation efforts and management birds nesting on bridges chose programs designed to improve wildlife those sites by themselves, with habitat. In fact, birds are often viewed as no additional help from people. excellent indicators of habitat change. Furthermore, in recent years, Using birds as indicators of ecosystem the number of bridge nests Photo: Todd Katzner Todd Photo: health has been growing. Birds are has been increasing. At least particularly good for this monitoring three pairs of peregrines are because they are relatively easy to study breeding on bridges in the area, and they occupy many different ecological and possibly a few more that we niches. Also, scientists can measure bird don’t know about exist! reproduction and survival, both of which The recent rise in the respond quickly to habitat change. However, numbers of these birds and to use birds as indicators requires that their the implications about human ecology be well known and easily observed. Female peregrine defending her nest on a interactions with wildlife Pittsburgh bridge. continued on page 5 continued on page 7

The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Letter from the Editor Attracted by Birds People are drawn to birds because non-professionals can often participate bioindicators for conservation. Hopefully, of their natural beauty, lively song, in activities monitoring numbers of birds using birds in this way will involve more miraculous flight and because birds and habitat change. people in the successful conservation of are symbols of diverse ecosystems. This issue of FlightPath focuses biodiversity. Because of their attractiveness to human on using birds as indicators of human observers, birds became important impacts on the environment. The National —Steven Latta, Ph.D. Editor indicators of ecosystems’ health. As a Aviary is developing new techniques to “bioindicator,” the abundance or diversity monitor bird populations and is designing of birds is an accurate gauge to quickly local, regional and national plans to help measure the impact of habitat changes. locally-based collaborators to monitor These changes may be negative, such birds. As the struggles to conserve as pollution or habitat destruction, or biodiversity and critical ecosystems they may be positive, such as habitat around the world continue, researchers improvement or restoration activities. will increasingly view birds as key Birds are particularly good taxa bioindicators of habitat conditions. And, for this monitoring because they are avian monitoring will be an important relatively simple to study, are easy to component of any management response see, and announce their presence with for conservation. The National Aviary songs and calls. In addition, because of will be at the forefront of developing their popularity, birdwatchers and other new techniques for using birds as

Recent Publications

Latta, S. C., C. J. Ralph, and G. Geupel. 2005. Strategies for the conservation monitoring of permanent resident landbirds and wintering Neotropical migrants in the Americas. Ornitología Neotropical 16:163-174. Bird conservation and management that significant declines are apparent them to simultaneously participate requires collection of habitat-specific while the birds representing these in wider, regional and international data on populations because most species are still relatively abundant. monitoring efforts. By participating in conservation and management activities Most conservation organizations broad-based monitoring programs, local depend on knowing the population have agreed to the need to establish groups help to determine population size of a species, as well as numbers long-term bird monitoring and research trends of migratory and permanent of males, females and offspring. For programs. However, developing national resident birds at a scale far greater than example, scientists must understand the or international monitoring programs is any local monitoring effort can achieve. population dynamics of game species difficult because indigenous organizations This strategy also allows researchers well enough to allow continued harvest that could lead monitoring programs to address basic research questions activities without generating negative often have their own goals and locally- concerning the ecology and natural impacts on future reproduction and defined monitoring objectives. These history of migratory and resident bird population levels. objectives may vary among regions and species. Through cooperative efforts and Likewise, scientists must know countries and must be integrated into standardized monitoring, the National the distribution, population size and international monitoring schemes. Aviary can evaluate the efficacy of population trends of threatened and This article presents a new monitoring conservation and management actions endangered species in order to develop strategy based on a hierarchical approach throughout the Americas, while also effective conservation plans. For other that allows locally-based organizations fulfilling locally-defined conservation and species, monitoring activities must be to generate results relevant to their local monitoring objectives. adequate to detect population trends so management efforts, while enabling

 The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Short Takes Introducing Our Scientific Advisory Committee Behind every great organization is a credentials as a scientist are impeccable. the Bronx Zoo, is the leading institution great team of advisors. Proudly, some He is an elected Fellow of the American world-wide for wildlife field research and of the world’s foremost conservationists Association for Advancement of conservation. WCS serves as a model and academics advise the Department Science and is the President-Elect of for the Conservation and Field Research of Conservation and Field Research. the American Ornithologists’ Union. He Department. Dr. Ginsberg is a formidable The Scientific Advisory Committee is has received numerous awards for his conservationist, having conducted years comprised of four senior biologists – Nigel work on Neotropical migratory birds. of extensive field work in Africa and led Collar, John Faaborg, WCS’s Asia and Africa Joshua Ginsberg and divisions for several years Susan Kalisz. before assuming his Dr. Nigel Collar is current position. the Leventis Fellow Dr. Susan Kalisz is a in Conservation Professor of Biology at the Biology at BirdLife University of Pittsburgh International and and a long-serving Cambridge University National Aviary board in England. Dr. Collar member. Dr. Kalisz is an co-founded BirdLife internationally renowned International, one of specialist in the evolution, world’s largest NGOs ecology and conservation dedicated exclusively of flowering plants and to conservation of bird their communities. populations worldwide. Nigel Collar, Ph.D. John Faaborg, Ph.D. A variety of sources, Dr. Collar’s knowledge including the US National of bird conservation Science Foundation, fund issues is encyclopedic. her research. As a board He is a first-rate guide member, Dr. Kalisz was for the National Aviary instrumental in creating as it chooses new the Conservation and Field directions and expands Research Department. As programs. the scientist in Pittsburgh Dr. John Faaborg is most closely associated a Professor of Biology with the department, at the University of Dr. Kalisz plays a personal Missouri. He is one role as mentor, advisor and of the world’s leading friend to the staff. avian ecologists All of these remarkable and demographers. conservationist scientists His studies focus help the National Aviary’s Joshua Ginsberg, Ph.D. Susan Kalisz, Ph.D. primarily on how Conservation and Field bird populations respond to variations On the Scientific Advisory Committee, Research program in their own way, in habitats that occur over time and Dr. Faaborg is most closely connected to advising and giving direction related to space. Dr. Faaborg’s study sites span the conservation issues of North American their particular strengths and expertise. Americas, from North America through bird populations. Their sage advice and dedicated service the Caribbean and Latin America. He has Dr. Joshua Ginsberg is Vice President enable the National Aviary to be on the maintained the longest avian monitoring for Conservation Operations at the forefront of bird conservation worldwide. program in the hemisphere at Guánica Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Thank you, Susan, Joshua, John and Nigel Forest in Puerto Rico. Dr. Faaborg’s New York. His organization, also known as for your vision and inspiration!

 The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Partnering for Conservation Creating a Broad Collaboration for Conservation in Ecuador Steven Latta, Ph.D. South America has more bird species innovative collaboration was arranged than any other continent in the world. The among Latta, the Ministry of the center of this biodiversity is the Andes Environment, ETAPA (the city of Cuenca’s Mountains, which harbor South America’s municipal company for water supply), greatest concentration of species not Dr. Gustavo Chacón and Boris Tinoco of FlightPath is published for the members and benefactors of the found anywhere else in the world. the University of Azuay in Cuenca, and National Aviary. Significant numbers of threatened bird Dr. Catherine Graham of Stony Brook species call this area home, making it one University in New York. This collaboration The National Aviary inspires respect of the world’s “hotspots of biodiversity.” calls on all parties to promote bird for nature through an appreciation of birds. Like other major biodiversity hotspots research, education, and capacity building found near densely populated areas, the for the conservation of Cajas National Park Chief Executive Officer: Linda A. Dickerson tropical Andes region has already suffered and surrounding ecosystems. Director of Conservation and Field extensive habitat loss. The Park’s most prominent ecosystem Research: Todd Katzner, Ph.D. Assistant Director of Conservation and The National Aviary’s Dr. Steven is the alpine grass vegetation, which Field Research: Steven Latta, Ph.D. Latta is working with diverse partners is intermixed with scattered patches in Cajas National Park to provide some of stunted trees. At lower elevations, Editor: Steven Latta of the scientific background necessary a mosaic of regenerating pasture, to manage birds in this vitally important introduced tree plantations (pine and Layout and Design area. Cajas National Park covers more eucalyptus), secondary forest fragments Jan Allen Molly Schachner Todd Katzner (bosque altoandino secundario), and Contributors primary forest (bosque altoandino Todd Katzner Steven Latta Steven Sarro primario and bosque de quinua) are found. With 300 lakes, the Park was Scientific Advisory Comittee of the named an internationally important Department of Conservation and Field RAMSAR wetland site and an Research Nigel Collar, Ph.D. BirdLife International Photo: C. Graham C. Photo: Important Bird Area. John Faaborg, Ph.D. University of Missouri Beginning in 2005, the diverse Joshua Ginsberg, Ph.D. Widlife partnership began studies of Conservation Society bird community composition Susan Kalisz, Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh and bird survival at four sites in representative habitats across Cajas Allegheny Commons West Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248 National Park. We are studying www.aviary.org how birds respond to habitat Cajas National Park, Ecuador 412-323-7235 disturbance, checking the health of individual birds captured in mist than 25,000 hectares in the high Andes nets and monitoring individual birds to of southern Ecuador. The Park is the first determine how they survive in similar Ecuadorian natural reserve administrated habitats suffering from more or less by a local government institution through disturbance by humans. an innovative decentralization agreement The partners plan to observe birds signed with the Ecuadorian federal to learn how useful human-disturbed The National Aviary is supported by individual gifts, grants, the Pennsylvania government. This decentralized approach habitats are for birds and other wildlife. Historical Museum Commission and the opened the door for broad collaborations They will also examine how ecosystems Allegheny Regional Asset District. among experts interested in helping to change under scenarios of continued E Printed on a recycled paper. conserve and manage Andean biodiversity. deforestation and reforestation. In the After extensive talks, such an forest fragments, the researchers are continued on page 6  The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Human Population and Biodiversity continued from page 1 Under these conditions, birds can serve are effective as an indicator, they should demonstrated how the community of effectively as an early warning signal for be easier and more economical to birds using re-growing fields and young changes in habitat conditions. measure than stream insects or other forests changes over time and how the Evaluating the magnitude of habitat measures of the ecosystem. survival of birds in the older habitats change and its impact on birds is The Aviary’s Dr. Todd Katzner improves. By comparing results in the essentially a project to monitor bird has contributed to the use of birds restored sites to results from forests not numbers. While bird populations may as indicators of habitat change by greatly impacted by humans, the National change in response to local, regional and developing a novel method of monitoring Aviary’s project will predict how birds global pressures, monitoring most often bird populations. Fundamentally, occurs on a local scale. Still, locally-based conservation requires knowing how monitoring presents its own challenges. many individuals of a threatened Each project may have different goals species exist. Because many species are based on different local needs. Variation difficult to capture and count, Katzner in resources and skills needed for has pioneered non-invasive genetic monitoring also presents challenges. monitoring protocols for eagles and Photo: K. Eisermann K. Photo: For this reason, a variety of monitoring vultures. Katzner and his students collect programs exists, allowing locally-based feathers that are naturally-shed at roosts partner organizations to generate results or feeding sites. They extract DNA from Monitoring Birds in Guatemala. based on their abilities. these feathers to identify individual birds. The National Aviary uses birds Using these techniques, Katzner and will respond to further gains or losses of as indicators of ecosystem health in colleagues monitor eagles in Kazakhstan these forests. These results will guide the many ways. In western Pennsylvania, and vultures in Cambodia as indicators of restoration of forests in national parks National Aviary researchers use human influences on their environment. and other protected areas. the Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus Finally, on the island of Hispaniola, As increasing human populations motacilla) to indicate the condition where humans have impacted nearly impact habitats and ecosystems, and of its stream habitat. Knowing how all natural habitats, the Aviary’s as mankind struggles to conserve stream pollution and changes in aquatic Dr. Steven Latta uses birds as indicators biodiversity, birds will be increasingly insect communities affects stream of how useful early-successional scrub valuable as bioindicators of habitat birds is critical for their conservation and young forests may be as habitat for conditions. Developing new monitoring and management. In order to be a a variety of songbirds. As agricultural techniques, applying these protocols useful bioindicator of stream quality, lands are abandoned or protected, most in diverse lands, and designing differences in water quality must have expect restoration of the former forests management responses for conservation observable and predictable effects on the to increase the land’s value for wildlife. will continue to be a National Aviary waterthrush. Furthermore, if waterthrush A recently completed five-year study priority.

Funding Success Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium Supports Telemetry Studies The Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation American and Caribbean winter habitats from these studies will identify threats Fund recently made a generous award to of these birds. to this species and other Neotropical Dr. Steven Latta to support radiotelemetry The Zoo granted funding to purchase migrant and indigenous birds sharing studies of the Louisiana Waterthrush. radiotelemetry equipment to track the riparian habitats. The data generated These birds breed in Pennsylvania and individual waterthrush during both the will provide the scientific foundation for other Eastern states, but their restricted breeding and over-wintering periods. specific conservation actions and will and often threatened habitat has focused National Aviary researchers will follow supply local residents and land managers attention on them as a species of individual birds to identify which habitats with critical information needed to conservation concern. Contamination and they use and what parts of their home conserve these highly threatened development often threaten the Central ranges are most important. Information habitats.

 The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Links Across the National Aviary Penguin Conservation Efforts at the National Aviary Steven Sarro At the National Aviary, the Animal To address this alarming situation, experts were sent to Cape Town to help Programs Department generates the African Penguin SSP is partnering in the penguin recovery efforts. During conservation initiatives to supplement the with the Southern African Foundation this single oil spill, approximately 44,000 Department of Conservation and Field for the Conservation of Coastal Birds African Penguins were either oiled or had Research’s work. The National Aviary (SANCCOB), headquartered in Cape to be relocated. The off-shore break-up supports Aquarium and Zoo Association Town, South Africa. SANCCOB is a of an iron ore freighter that dumped (AZA) programs called Species Survival wildlife rehabilitation facility dedicated crude oil into the ocean near the penguin Plans (SSP). SSPs identify animal species to preserving the African Penguin and nesting islands caused this disaster. of conservation concern and manage the other coastal species through research, Birds affected by this one spill represent North American captive population. almost one-third of the known population. Management plans under an SSP Fortunately, SANCCOB and volunteers include genetic and demographic from around the world were able to considerations necessary to preserve relocate or rehabilitate approximately the species’ genetic diversity over time. 90% of the affected birds. The SSP also addresses concerns about The National Aviary has exhibited the the conservation of wild populations African Penguin for the past five years, as well as captive management and and has included these birds in education Photo: Steven J. Sarro J. Steven Photo: sustainability issues. The National Aviary programs and as part of its staged avian supports SSPs for the Andean Condor, presentations. The Aviary also raises Bali Mynah, Guam Rail, Palm Cockatoo, money to aid penguins as part of its daily Red-crowned Crane and African Penguin. avian presentations. While one of the The African Penguin is of particular African Penguins is on-stage, a trained interest to the National Aviary and to American Crow accepts paper money Steven J. Sarro, the Aviary’s Director of donated by visitors and stuffs the bills Animal Programs. Sarro has been the into a donation box. SSP Coordinator for the African Penguin Proudly, the National Aviary has raised since 1995. African Penguins inhabit over $11,000 this year and expects the coastal waters of southern Africa, the total to surpass $15,000 by year’s nesting on islands and hunting in the end. All of these funds go directly to SANCCOB to support African Penguin fish-rich cold waters. Experts estimated Steven Sarro cleaning oiled the penguin population at over 2 million penguins. conservation. The National Aviary is birds in the last century. Due to human proud to collaborate with SANCCOB and activities including over-fishing, guano education and rehabilitation. to advance these conservation efforts harvesting, egg collecting and oil spills, The African Penguin SSP provided in the wild, as well as contributing to the the population now hovers around only advice and expertise during the 2000 preservation of this amazing species of 150,000 birds. Treasure oil spill, and SSP penguin bird in captive programs.

Partnering for Conservation continued from page 4 evaluating how the size of forest patches Tinoco, the Ecuadorian field supervisor, needed to manage birds in significantly and their position relative to each other at Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) in disturbed habitats. National Aviary experts influences the abundance and movement California. When Boris began his doctoral are also training students, community patterns of specific species. studies at Stony Brook University, his members and park personnel to monitor Training new biologists is also an successor also completed training at and manage birds and their habitats. This important part of this project. We began PRBO with National Aviary support. broad collaboration will translate into this “capacity building” by training Building on this solid foundation, improved management and conservation several field assistants in bird monitoring the Aviary’s current conservation goals of Ecuador’s high Andean birds. protocols and by intensively training Boris focus on generating the scientific tools

 The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary Meeting Reports Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines Attendance at conferences is one this year’s theme – “Human population environmental problems. In each country, of the key ways that today’s scientists density: Impacts on biodiversity.” different forces drive conservation disseminate information. Whether these Dr. Todd Katzner, representing the problems and biodiversity loss. conferences are national or international, Aviary, gave the plenary talk at the Although a potentially thorny topic for the National Aviary’s credibility and conference on this topic. His seminar an American to address overseas, the stature depends in part on its attendance compared the human population impacts talk was well received, generating many at such conferences. on biodiversity by focusing on examples questions and a good discussion among This spring, the Aviary staff traveled from three countries. These countries participants. On the same trip, Katzner to the Philippines for the annual meeting included a gradient of population spoke at a smaller meeting hosted by of the Wildlife Conservation Society densities, ranging from Kazakhstan with one of the world’s largest conservation of the Philippines (WCSP) and for a a low population density, to the USA organizations, Conservation International. workshop to establish best practices for with a moderate (and growing) human His talk focused on the Philippine Eagle’s conservation of Philippine Eagles. The population density, to the Philippines importance as a species in need of National Aviary was a primary sponsor for with an extremely high human population landscape-scale conservation actions. the WCSP meeting, and it helped to select density. Each country faces unique

Support Our Work! The Department of Conservation and Field Research (DCFR) private donors, whose support is crucial to the department’s of the National Aviary depends on external support to reach our continued success. Because of our endowment, donors can be conservation goals. Current funding comes from a variety of assured that 100% of their funds will be used for conservation sources, with our most significant support provided by the Avian and no monies will be spent on salaries or overhead costs. Conservation Endowment. Donations to DCFR or to specific projects can be made In addition to these endowment funds, the department online at www.aviary.org, or by contacting our staff. Please also attracts external funds for its projects. A significant portion remember the National Aviary in your year-end giving. of this external funding is provided through the generosity of

Notes from the Field continued from page 1 and natural systems are particularly Falcons, Bald Eagles, osprey and other in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! interesting. As human populations and birds are rising dramatically. So, that is why I was wondering how the impact of our consumption grow, we The National Aviary, together with we would climb up to that super-high must find ways to minimize our impacts the Pennsylvania Game Commission, is peregrine nest. I’m happy to say that on wildlife. Birds, especially birds of prey, working to manage our local falcons to eventually we did make it to the birds. are excellent indicators of how humans ensure that their populations continue to In the course of the last few years, I’ve impact the world. grow. Every year, we assist in the banding become something of a bridge-climbing Declines in bird populations of the birds nesting on Pittsburgh’s addict. Whenever we climb, a PennDOT probably mean that we are harming our buildings. Now, with the addition of birds crew always accompanies us. Still, bridge environment, and if we don’t change nesting on bridges, we are climbing under peregrines are not for the faint of heart or our actions humans also will suffer the these bridges trying to band every chick for the acrophobic. consequences. The decline of Peregrine that we find. Bands become critically Our bridge hikes are high above the Falcon populations occurring midway important for tracking populations and water, usually on a narrow catwalk, and through the last century resulted from understanding the demography of this we often meet defensive adult peregrines. man’s overuse of the pesticide DDT. recovering population. For example, Nevertheless, these climbs offer the The pesticide and its residues caused because of her bands, we know that the unique opportunity to see these amazing dramatic declines in populations of female peregrine that bred this year at birds up close in the wilds of the urban many birds of prey. Now that DDT is no the Cathedral of Learning hatched in jungle and contribute significantly to their longer overused, populations of Peregrine 1999 from the nest at the Firstar Center management and conservation.

 The Bulletin of the Department of Conservation and Field Research at the National Aviary

at the National Aviary National the at the of Bulletin The Department of Conservation and Field Research Field and Conservation of Department



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Original art by B.K. Mackay

sustain a healthy ecosystem. healthy a sustain This project seeks to increase increase to seeks project This

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important to increase local appreciation appreciation local increase to important these materials will also be placed on the the on placed be also will materials these

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funding to develop and publicize the the publicize and develop to funding than more supports Hispaniola nature trails and other prime birding birding prime other and trails nature

Designing the Dominican Birding Trail Birding Dominican the Designing

Short Takes Short

Department of Conservation and Field Research NON-PROFIT ORG. Allegheny Commons West U.S. POSTAGE 600 West Ohio Street PAID Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248 PITTSBURGH, PA www.aviary.org PERMIT NO. 3316

IN THIS ISSUE

Birds as Indicators Our Scientific Advisors Penguin Conservation

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