CONSERVATION & RESEARCH UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL

SPRING 2014

animal programs human population impacts To Rear or Not To Rear From Billions to None Kurt Hundgen, Director of Animal Collections Robert Mulvihill

n September 1, 1914, when many learning about each species’ extinction story Oof our grandparents or great and the lessons we can learn from them. grandparents were still alive, the last Today, there are more than seven living Passenger Pigeon, a species whose billion of us, and if current trends population once numbered several billion, continue, we will number almost ten died at the Cincinnati . The 100th billion by 2050. Our challenge will be to anniversary of that extinction is a cause to ensure that our collective impact on the commemorate the life history of a bird that environment and on biodiversity does almost none of us alive today ever had the not increase accordingly. The centenary chance to see; importantly, it provides a of the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon compelling “teachable moment.” Teri Grendzinski, Supervisor of Animal is an opportunity to remember and to Collections, hand-feeds two five-day-old Project Passenger Pigeon (P3) teach that what seems inexhaustible is also Honeyeater chicks. organizer, Joel Greenberg, irreplaceable. As simple as it sounds, the put it this way: three R’s of environmentalism — reduce, ach breeding season, National Aviary reuse, recycle — really do “The story of how the staff is confronted with a dilemma: spell sustainability. E most abundant bird in North for which species should we promote America disappeared so quickly If we all will make parent-rearing of eggs and young, and is unique in the annals of human a conscious effort to for which species should we artificially history. Though a century has pursue the three incubate eggs and hand-rear the young? passed since the loss of this species, it R’s; if we will try to There is no simple or single correct remains a poignant example of nature’s purchase more locally answer to the question; each species and abundance, as well as a powerful and organically every situation is different, so we have to reminder of humanity’s ability to grown foods; if consider many factors when making this exhaust seemingly endless riches. coffee drinkers important decision. The echoes of the passenger pigeon’s will purchase only For example, has the pair ever raised life still resonate today and can teach certified organic and chicks before? How well are the parents us lessons of stewardship, hope, and shade grown, bird- represented genetically in the overall sustainable living for the 21st century.” friendly, beans and zoo population? Do other species in the grinds, then we will Beginning this September, at the exhibit pose a risk to successful parent- be contributing National Aviary and several other venues rearing of eggs and young? Are there measurably throughout the area, there will proven hand-rearing protocols for to reducing be special P3 exhibitions and events for the species? overconsumption, the public. Eight beautiful life-size pollution, and In a perfect avicultural setting, birds wood sculptures of extinct the rate of loss of generally will do a better job of raising bird species carved by biodiversity. At the their offspring than people would. Parent- Stahlstown artist, same time, we will be reared chicks usually exhibit faster growth Tom Duran, will be treating ourselves and rates, show more rapid development of installed, one each our children to natural behaviors, and, most importantly, at eight different a healthier, more are more likely to be able to breed venues. People will be able satisfying lifestyle! n naturally compared to their hand-reared to tour this unique exhibit counterparts. Simply put, they know they one carving at a time, are birds! This is especially important continued on page 7 2

from the editor The Added Value of Bird Monitoring Programs

The National Aviary collaborates with many organizations on long-term avian monitoring programs throughout the Americas. We use standardized monitoring methods so that we can not only address local management priorities, but also combine and compare our data with other The National Aviary inspires studies to investigate regional trends in respect for nature through an bird populations. appreciation of birds. In this issue of FlightPaths you can read about our bird monitoring in the Dominican Editor Republic, which is modeled after a similar Steven Latta, Ph.D., Director, Conservation and Field Research long-term study in Puerto Rico. We returned [email protected] to our Dominican sites because of the very concerning, persistent downward trends in Managing Editor birds observed in the Puerto Rican study. Robert Mulvihill, M.Sc. Our question: Will we see the same Ornithologist [email protected] worrisome patterns of bird population decline in our study areas? Allegheny Commons West But a long-term monitoring program Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248 412-323-7235 is not just about bird numbers: no amount of scientific data alone can do the job of educating people and accomplishing real gains for bird conservation. That is why the National Aviary remains committed not only to conducting field research, but also Printed on recycled paper. FSC and post-consumer mark here to building capacity through training new biologists, developing community-based environmental education programs, and catalyzing other initiatives in support of bird www.aviary.org conservation efforts throughout the Americas. Follow us on Twitter: @National_Aviary Facebook.com/NationalAviary

The editor carefully removes a Hispaniolan Steven Latta, Ph.D. Woodpecker from a mist net. Director, Conservation and Field Research ...... Help the National Aviary’s bird conservation efforts around the world!

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partnering for conservation Monitoring Birds and Critical Habitats Building Condor in the Caribbean Numbers Steven Latta Steven Latta

t’s 7:20 a.m. I am perched in the dry doctoral student to set Iforest near the south coast of Hispaniola up a field station where where I wait anxiously with my collaborators I could conduct some of from the Grupo Acción Ecológico for the the first-ever ecological first round of birds. With much anticipation studies of birds in this we had placed imaginary “bets” on which remote region. These studies species would be the first to fall in our mist helped reveal the critical n Cuenca, high in the Andes nets. Would it be the endemic ground- importance of these mountains IMountains of Ecuador, the National tanager or the emblematic “Cuatro Ojos?” to biodiversity protection for the first time. Aviary is aiding in the construction of a Would we recapture any birds from a dozen Unique for their geology and biogeographic full breeding center for up to eight pairs years ago, when we wrapped up six straight history, they are home to 30 out of 32 of majestic Andean Condors. Innovative years of intensive field work at these sites? Hispaniolan endemics. enclosures will incorporate native plants, natural rock outcrops, and an existing Most importantly, would we still find the One of our tasks as ornithologists ravine, providing for a very natural breeding numerous Cape May Warblers, Prairie is to monitor bird populations and the environment. A new breeding facility is Warblers, Palm Warblers, and Black-and- amount and quality of habitat available also planned for two pairs of condors at the white Warblers that in the past over- to birds. Using the same survey methods National Aviary. wintered in large numbers at these sites? used previously, we can document any The air is hot even at this early hour, and changes in the populations of both migrant The Andean Condor is considered we are dripping with sweat. and resident birds. The data we collect “Near Threatened” by BirdLife International, Tropical field work is not for the faint- may reveal patterns of change in bird but it is endangered in Ecuador and other of-heart. At our low-elevation thorn scrub populations related to habitat or other central Andean countries. The partnership sites, dog-tooth limestone tears at boots factors that can be managed for positive stems from a long-term commitment by and cat-clawed shrubs rip into skin and conservation outcomes. the National Aviary to Andean Condor conservation, building on the knowledge clothes. Add dozens of toxic plants, and As our first day in the Sierra de that effective and economical conservation stinging ants and wasps, and one has a Bahoruco ends, we find dramatically efforts must be expanded in situ, that is, potent mix for field discomfort. lower captures of some of our formerly where the birds naturally occur. But the Sierra de Bahoruco is also one abundant birds. But, we have two more of my most favorite field sites in the world. weeks of intensive field work to confirm The National Aviary recently signed As a globe-trotting itinerant field assistant, I these patterns, and at the end of this long, a memorandum of understanding with discovered these mountains while searching hot day, an inviting glass of cold papaya Bioparque Amaru in Cuenca, Ecuador, Steven Latta, Ph.D. for adventure. I chose to return here as a juice awaits. n that establishes a partnership that will Director, Conservation and Field Research promote the conservation of Andean Steve Latta and Research Associate Maria Condors. A key component of our joint Paulino process birds at a study site in the dry condor conservation program will be the forest of Sierra de Bahoruco, at the border of development of a release site in Cajas Haiti and the Dominican Republic. National Park near Cuenca. This ambitious effort to ramp up the production of condors that can be released back into the wilds of Ecuador has been supported by an internship exchange program between the National Aviary and Bioparque Amaru. Former intern Nikki Becich already has devoted several months to working in Ecuador as a Field Associate of the National Aviary; a second intern will be at Amaru through the summer of 2014. Fundraising is underway, first, for a new exhibit at the National Aviary, then to expand further in Ecuador. Your donations can help! n 4

notes from the field No Place for Owls Tiny Technology Robert Mulvihill Tracks Songbird Migration Steven Latta

t once was a pipe dream of field Iornithologists to be able to track a small migratory songbird from its nesting area to its wintering grounds and back again. But the stuff of dreams has become reality with the development of increasingly small and more sophisticated geolocators. Geolocators are data-loggers that can be attached directly to a bird and which collect data on light intensity minute-by- minute, hour-after-hour, and day after day. If the bird is outfitted with a geolocator on its breeding grounds, then recaptured after it completes its migration to and back The author (left) and citizen science volunteer, Doug Cunzolo, take some final measurements of a from its wintering grounds, the data from Snowy Owl before passing it off USDA wildlife specialist, Bobby Hromack (bottom photo) for the geolocator can be downloaded and release into suitable habitat some 50 miles away from the Pittsburgh International Airport. analyzed to obtain information about exact sunrise and sunset times every day that the irports are busy places, and not just trapping and relocating animals that bird wore the unit. These data can then Afor human travelers and airplanes. can’t be coaxed away from the area by be converted to precise daily locations They frequently attract significant numbers other means. (latitude and longitude) for the bird. By of wildlife, and some of these can pose As the endangered Short-eared Owls, “connecting the dots,” a bird’s timing a danger to themselves and to air traffic and eventually this Snowy, were caught, and path of its southward migration, its when they venture too close to runways. USDA personnel reached out to the overwinter location and length-of-stay, and Wildlife is attracted to the long, wide National Aviary to band the owls before the timing and path of its return to the swaths of short grass that commonly they were relocated — without banding breeding grounds can all be revealed. separate runways. These grassy strips can the birds, it would be impossible to know In April 2013, Dr. Steve Latta, Bob support a surprisingly dense population of if they returned to the airport. Mulvihill and several colleagues joined small mammals, like voles, and before long Each owl was transported more forces to begin placing geolocators on 75 these food sources attract the attention of than 30 miles away from the airport and Louisiana Waterthrush at five sites across predators, both four-footed and winged. released into suitable habitat, where the breeding range of the species. We Most airports have on site Wildlife Services everybody hoped they would decide to hope to learn new details of the species’ personnel from the U.S. Department of stay! The process worked, because no migration ecology for the very first time, Agriculture, whose job it is to keep both banded owls were resighted at the airport such as whether the different breeding wildlife and people safe. Often this means the rest of the winter. n populations over-winter in distinct regions, or if they overlap. This technology has thus far been used on only a handful of birds as small as the waterthrush, but the information it promises to provide will help conservation efforts for this and other Neotropical songbird migrants in the future. n

Right: Only recently have light-sensitive data loggers been miniaturized enough to attach to birds weighing <20 grams. The unit pictured here weighs only 0.6 grams, just 3% of the body weight of a Louisiana Waterthrush. SPRING 2014 | 5

BUILDING CAPACITY education Avian Conservation Teachable Moments Scholarship Patricia O’Neill, Director of Education by Steven Latta eachable moments are unplanned they had the chance to handle American Ttimes in the education process when money, looking for eagles on $1, $5 and A big hello from Argentina! First of all, I want to learning is made easy. Serendipitous by $20 bills! They also heard the story of the thank everyone involved for this most enriching their very nature, they can happen at a Bald Eagle’s return to western opportunity. The course helped me to learn moment’s notice, and when discerned by and how the whole city of Pittsburgh is much more about the operation and management educators, can help catapult students to regaling in their active presence along the of zoo exhibitions and collections. It was very new levels of interest and understanding. Three Rivers. They even learned that their helpful to interact with people from other The National Aviary’s education own native White-tailed Eagle, analogous , to think about sharing research projects team experienced a teachable moment of to Bald Eagles and once extinct on the together, and to share different ways of working. international proportions when teachers Irish isle, is now breeding on the island During my stay at the National Aviary, I met after successful reintroduction efforts. very nice people committed to animal welfare from Braddock Hills High School in and the sustainable maintenance of the Pittsburgh, PA registered for a student Upon my return to the States, we collections. In my role as Research Specialist in experience at the National Aviary in March. began preparing for the second half of our the Department of Conservation and Research The teachers explained that program program. On March 26, students from at the Temaikèn Foundation, I have done participants would include not only their both schools were introduced to several extensive banding studies of the Saffron Finch. own students, but also students from of the National Aviary’s birds of prey via So, the most interesting experience I had during Belmont House in County Derry, Northern a live web-conference from Pittsburgh. my stay with the National Aviary was visiting Ireland. The Irish students would be Squire, our Lanner Falcon, and Sarabi, the Powdermll Avian attending the program via web-conference. our Black Vulture, demonstrated their Research Center. The Upon learning of this unique flight behaviors, while Fleury, our Snowy bird-banding research opportunity, the education team leapt into Owl, and Prince, our Red-tailed Hawk, work going on in that action. It just so happened that I planned fascinated the students with their unique place is awesome. to travel with my husband to visit his adaptations and stories of survival. One of — Andrés Palmerio family in Northern Ireland in February. As the crowning achievements of the entire we would be staying within an hour’s drive program was that Irish and American of Belmont House, I could easily visit with students agreed on an important construct the students in person, introduce them to — that humans can all work together to the National Aviary prior to their virtual support eagles, hawks, owls and falcons “visit” in March and, in the process, help across the globe no matter where we live ndrés Palmerio, Senior Biologist at the to make their connections with Pittsburgh on earth. What a teachable moment for ATemaikèn Zoo in Buenos Aires, Argentina more compelling. the ages. n was the recipient of the 2013-2014 National And so, on February 24, I did just Aviary Avian Conservation Scholarship. that! Belmont House students were The scholarship enabled Andrés to attend oriented to the National Aviary’s facility This portion of Irish coastline from Dunluce the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s and bird collection, and students from Castle, County Antrim, looking west towards (AZA’s) “Avian Management, Biology, and Braddock Hills High School were web- Counties Derry and Donegal provides prime Conservation” professional training course at conferenced into the visit! The students habitat for a variety of native species and is the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, WV. As part learned more about the Bald Eagle as the similar to rocky coastal cliffs where White- of the National Aviary’s scholarship award, national symbol of the United States, and tailed Eagles nest. Andrés also spent a week in February at the National Aviary, shadowing our conservation, husbandry, training, and veterinary staff in order to gain more experience that he will be able to share with his colleagues at Temaikèn. The AZA’s Zoo Conservation Outreach Group (ZCOG) focuses on building conservation leadership capacity in Latin American zoological institutions and promoting the development of collaborative zoo and aquarium-based wildlife and habitat conservation programs throughout the Americas. n 6

Sstudent , field associates, and research associates Unlocking the Mystery of Ridgway’s Hawk Declines by Steven Latta, with Adrell Nuñez

hat can be done when one of the tremendous tissue damage, leading to death Adrell recalls that “working hand-in- Wworld’s most endangered hawks faces of the bird host. hand with Dr. Pilar Fish and Dr. Steve Latta perplexingly high nestling mortality? Adrell Adrell devised a novel protocol using at the National Aviary was one of the most Nuñez, a veterinary professional and former a modified tuberculin needle to remove interesting and gratifying experiences.” intern at the National Aviary specializing in larvae from infested chicks. The needle, Adrell says he returned to the Dominican wildlife and conservation medicine in the modified with a small hook at the tip, was Republic “with a lot of ideas, and anxious Dominican Republic, faced this dilemma carefully inserted into the cavity formed to put in practice the things learned during last year. As head of the Conservation by the larvae. The botfly larva was hooked my stay at the Aviary.” n Department at Parque Zoológico Nacional, and the parasite removed without touching Adrell was called on to help determine the edges of the wound. The area was then why nestlings of the endemic Ridgway’s disinfected with an iodine solution, and the Hawk (Buteo ridgwayi), with fewer than 300 chick treated with Fipronil, an insecticide individuals left in the wild, were dying. widely used in veterinary products. Chicks Biologists from The Peregrine Fund without obvious botfly infections were also had found very high mortality of nestlings, treated with Fipronil as a preventative. with data from 2011 and 2012 indicating a Using these treatments, in 2013 the survival rate of 49% and 52%, respectively. survival rate of Ridgway’s Hawk chicks Adrell’s investigation of nests and chicks went up to 83%! revealed severe infestations of a parasitic botfly,Philornis pici, which lays its eggs Adrell Nuñez discovered that nest on birds. The developing larvae can cause parasites led to nestling mortality in Ridgway’s Hawk.

banding at the Palomarin Field Station of correctly use the different codes for each Bird Banding Point Blue Conservation Science (formerly of the many variables assessed during the Experience Inspires Point Reyes Bird Observatory). Located banding process. north of San Francisco, Palomarin provides “Something that really impressed me at Young Biologist unique, daily opportunities to practice bird Palomarin, and in California, was the great banding skills. This internship is one of a by Steven Latta, with Hodali Almonte interest shown by most people toward number partially funded by the National the conservation of birds and of natural Aviary as part of an innovative partnership odali Almonte, a young biologist from resources in general. This is particularly between the National Aviary and Point Blue the Dominican Republic’s National awesome to see because in the Dominican H that has given a growing number of Latin Museum of Natural History, recently Republic we face so many conservation Americans the opportunity to train at this completed a four-month internship in bird issues, but we do not have many prominent field station. environmental education programs, and Hodali, a former student and our environmental authorities lack interest Hodali Almonte measures a waterthrush. collaborator of mine, sought the internship in conservation.” to “learn more about birds, specifically On her return to the Dominican how to better determine age and sex, and Republic, Hodali hopes to use her new to learn different aspects of processing knowledge to improve her work and to banding data.” She reports that through help the next generation of ornithologists her internship she “gained new knowledge and naturalists to participate in avian of the management of mist nets and the field studies. She dreams of building the processing of captured birds.” She was scientific basis for embarking on a similar especially impressed observing how to bird banding program in the Dominican operate a large and successful banding Republic that can help foster an increased lab and field station. Holdali was able to environmental ethic in her country. n master new skills for determining sex and age, and in regard to the management of banding data, Hodali learned how to SPRING 2014 | 7

showed up every morning before dawn, Self-made Scientist waiting outside our little house for the day by Steven Latta to begin. He was a fast learner and, before long, was extracting birds from the nets ne of the benefits — and great and applying aluminum rings and plastic, Opleasures — of field research is the colored bands. Over the years he became opportunity to train and mentor young a valued member of our team, and in the people who represent the future of process learned not only about birds, but conservation. This is particularly true in also about the importance of timeliness; developing countries where opportunities responsibility; education; attention to for field training are scarce or non- detail; and respect for others. He became existent. In the Dominican Republic, aware of life and opportunities far beyond investments by the National Aviary in the the confines of his obscure border village. monitoring and field study of birds have Julio Mercedes Medina holds a Black-faced A decade later, Gullén is dedicated to enabled local students and aspiring young Palm-Tanager. birds and conservation. He has formed biologists to develop the expertise needed youth environmental clubs in several for pursuing careers in conservation. catching birds and placing rings on their towns, and he is now preparing to become One such beneficiary is Julio Mercedes legs – for whatever crazy reason – was caretaker and principal naturalist guide at Medina. Of Haitian and Dominican a big draw! Beginning in 2003 many the Campamento Barrancoli, a premiere descent, Julio (a.k.a., Gullén) was one of children, and even adults, stopped by to site for bird-watching on Hispaniola. the many children who showed up at our see what we were up to. Only a few miles from his roots, it offers a field sites curious to see what we were But Gullén was always different. whole new world of opportunities for this n doing. With schools rarely in session in Growing up with absent parents, he ambitious young conservationist. these remote areas, word of scientists continued from page 1 some situations this may not be acceptable protocols are not well-established. As (for example, when an previously mentioned, parent-reared To Rear or Not to Rear is involved). In multi-species exhibits offspring tend to be much better at nesting we have to take into account changes when they mature, because unlike hand- when captive populations are being in behavior of a nesting pair (such as reared young birds, they do not become managed for possible reintroduction to the increased aggression in defense of their behaviorally imprinted on humans. Of wild, as is the case with our Guam Rails. chicks) and of other species in an exhibit, course a major consideration is the fact As an added benefit, parent-reared birds some of which can pose a danger to the that hand-rearing is time intensive for staff: typically live longer in captivity than eggs or chicks. altricial chicks (those that are naked and hand-reared birds. Furthermore, adult There are advantages to incapable of feeding themselves for many birds that successfully rear their young intentionally removing days) need to be fed every hour, twelve generally form a stronger pair bond, eggs and hand-rearing. hours a day for up to three weeks. and this can both improve their When you pull a clutch of In the case of our Blue-faced breeding success in subsequent eggs for artificial incubation Honeyeaters, we decided to pull the seasons and make them shortly after they are laid, most eggs and hand-rear the chicks despite generally easier to manage birds will recycle and lay the fact that hand-rearing protocols for in captivity. another clutch. Thus, a this species are not well established. We Despite the captive breeding program pulled the eggs primarily because our benefits, there are some can potentially produce Blue-faced Honeyeaters are housed with drawbacks to parent- a greater number of Keel-billed Toucans, a species that will rearing in captive offspring during a single opportunistically rob eggs and young from situations. As with wild breeding season than other bird nests. The offspring from our birds, first breeding with parent-rearing alone. honeyeater pair are considered to be highly attempts frequently are For some species that are genetically valuable to the captive program unsuccessful, and in not plentiful in captivity, for this species, so we did not want to this is an especially take any chances. Our decision to rear has Blue-faced Honeyeaters important consideration. led to the successful addition of two new (Entomyzon cyanotis) However, there are female honeyeaters to the overall captive are native to eastern drawbacks to hand-rearing. population and improved the sustainability Australia and occur in a For many species hand-rearing of this carefully managed species. n wide range of habitats. NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE CONSERVATION & RESEARCH UPDATES FROM THE NATIONAL AVIARY PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 3316

National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Inc. Allegheny Commons West 700 Arch St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5248

In this issue: • Project Passenger Pigeon comes to Pittsburgh • Aviary follows up on Caribbean bird monitoring • Things are looking up for Andean Condors in Ecuador • Geolocators shed light on songbird migration • Aviary staff educates students on both sides of the Pond

NOTES FROM THE FIELD A People’s Eye View of Birds by Robert Mulvihill

o be able to watch a Peregrine Falcon A second Peregrine nest Tbow and call to its mate, or to see a Bald cam, unused for two years Eagle land at the side of its nest with talons because the downtown Peregrine full of food for its downy chicks: these are pair switched nesting locations in experiences once reserved for a handful 2012 and 2013, is back in business of wildlife researchers working in remote this year atop Pittsburgh’s Gulf Tower. locations in the field, hidden in a blind with The pair pleasantly surprised everyone by a spotting scope. But now this is possible returning to its old nesting box. You can for thousands of people from the comfort of help the National Aviary to upgrade this their home or office. camera next year with a high definition Thanks to generous donations to the camera like the one just installed at Pitt — National Aviary from Peregrine Falcon just send a donation and direct it to our aficionados in Pittsburgh and around the Nest Cam Fund. n country, a new video camera was purchased this spring for the Peregrine Falcon pair that nests on the 40th floor of the Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus (see photo, far right). The old camera began to malfunction last season, so a high quality, high definition Vivotek The Hays Bald Eagle nest cam installed camera was purchased by the National last December by the Pennsylvania Game Aviary and installed in early February, Commission and PixController, Inc., along with with help from WQED’s IT specialist and two Aviary-sponsored Peregrine Falcon nest bird-blogger, Kate St. John, and building cams can be viewed from the National Aviary’s managers at the University of Pittsburgh. website at: www.aviary.org/nestcams.