DOCSLIB.ORG

Colorado Birds the Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Quarterly

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Colorado Birds the Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Quarterly Vol. 50 No. 2 Spring 2016 Colorado Birds The Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Quarterly Boreal Owls in Rocky Hungry Birds Key In on Defects Lesser Nighthawks in Colorado Colorado Field Ornithologists PO Box 929, Indian Hills, Colorado 80454 cfobirds.org Colorado Birds (USPS 0446-190) (ISSN 1094-0030) is published quarterly by the Col- orado Field Ornithologists, P.O. Box 929, Indian Hills, CO 80454. Subscriptions are obtained through annual membership dues. Nonprofit postage paid at Louisville, CO. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colorado Birds, P.O. Box 929, Indian Hills, CO 80454. Officers and Directors of Colorado Field Ornithologists: Dates indicate end of cur- rent term. An asterisk indicates eligibility for re-election. Terms expire at the annual convention. Officers: President: Doug Faulkner, Arvada, 2017*, [email protected]; Vice Presi- dent: David Gillilan, Littleton, 2017*, [email protected]; Secretary: Larry Modesitt, Greenwood Village, 2017, [email protected]; Treasurer: Michael Kiessig, Indian Hills, 2017*, [email protected] Past President: Bill Kaempfer, Boulder, 2016, [email protected] Directors: Christy Carello, Golden, 2016*; Lisa Edwards, Palmer Lake, 2017; Ted Floyd, Lafayette, 2017; Mike Henwood, Grand Junction, 2018; Christian Nunes, Longmont, 2016*; Chris Owens, Denver, 2018* Colorado Bird Records Committee: Dates indicate end of current term. An asterisk indicates eligibility to serve another term. Terms expire 12/31. Chair: Mark Peterson, Colorado Springs, 2018*, [email protected] Committee Members: John Drummond, Colorado Springs, 2016; Peter Gent, Boul- der, 2017*; Tony Leukering, Largo, Florida, 2018; Dan Maynard, Denver, 2017*; Bill Schmoker, Longmont, 2016; Kathy Mihm Dunning, Denver, 2018* Past Committee Member: Bill Maynard Colorado Birds Quarterly: Editor: Scott W. Gillihan, [email protected] Staff: Christy Carello, science editor, [email protected]; Christian Nunes, photo editor, [email protected] Contributors: Peter Gent, Dave Leatherman, Tony Leukering, Bill Schmoker Annual Membership Dues (renewable quarterly): General $25; Youth (under 18) $12; Institution $30. Membership dues entitle members to a subscription to Colorado Birds, which is published quarterly. Back issues/extra copies may be ordered for $7.50. Send requests for extra copies/back issues, change of address and membership renewals to [email protected]. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Colorado Field Ornithologists. Reproduction of articles is permitted only under consent from the publisher. Works by U.S. and Canadian governments are not copyrighted. The Colorado Field Ornithologists’ Quarterly Vol. 50 No. 2 Spring 2016 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE .........................................62 Doug Faulkner ABOUT THE AUTHORS ...........................................65 CFO BOARD MEETING MINUTES ...........................66 Larry Modesitt CFO APPRECIATION AWARD ..................................69 Joe Roller and Dave Leatherman JOHN KIRK TOWNSEND .........................................70 Bob Righter THE HUNGRY BIRD ...............................................75 Dave Leatherman STATUS OF THE BOREAL OWL ...............................83 Scott Rashid NEWS FROM THE FIELD: FALL 2015 .....................88 David Dowell IN THE SCOPE ...................................................... 105 Tony Leukering COLORADO'S BIRD LIST ...................................... 114 Tony Leukering Cooper’s Hawk, Aurora, FULLY EXPOSED .................................................. 118 Arapahoe Bill Schmoker County, 6 December 2015. Photo by LESSER NIGHTHAWK IN COLORADO .................. 121 Connie Kogler Tony Leukering PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I love anniversaries. Not because of presents or parties, but because it helps to reset my perspective. I enjoy comparing an entity’s embry- onic beginnings with its more mature version of today. I will admit that this interest does not involve very deep thought. I won’t pretend to have a command of any of the behavioral, socio-economic, or po- litical sciences. Anniversaries do, however, give me an opportunity to reflect on change over long time- frames and to recognize changes happening in the short-term. The year 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of CFO journal publi- cations, the first of which was pub- lished as The Colorado Field Orni- thologist No. 1 in winter 1967. That 20-page issue was a quick read, but nonetheless full of interesting ar- ticles. Paul Julian presented a me- ticulous review of Harlan’s Hawk (then considered a full species Bu- teo harlani), including its confused taxonomic origins—did John James Audubon really collect this (now subspecies), the plate of which he titled “Black Warrior”—along with a summary of plumage characteris- tics and the challenges of identify- ing a Harlan’s in the field. George Shier’s article “Rufous- Doug Faulkner sided Towhee Range in Colorado” summarized anecdotal evidence of that (then species’) breeding range in the state. Well known along the Front Range, it was apparently much less frequently encountered elsewhere in the state. That issue also gave a tabular summary of Colorado’s ten Christ- mas Bird Counts, noting such species as Whistling Swan, Oldsquaw, Marsh Hawk, Sparrow Hawk, Common Bushtit, and Water Pipit. In stark contrast to our current “News from the Field,” the first issue’s “Field Notes” listed just four interesting sight observations— Mourning Dove, Carolina Wren, Brown Thrasher, and Oldsquaw, all of which were noted in the Fort Collins area. The final aspect of that first issue I want to present: that year’s CFO convention was an- nounced on the inside back cover. Reservations were made by writ- 62 Colorado Birds Spring 2016 Vol. 50 No. 2 ing (that is, by hand, on paper, mailed through the post office) to the local bird club hosting the convention. The Colorado Field Ornithologists, its publications, the latest of which is published as Colorado Birds, and much of what we now “know” has changed. We no longer consider Harlan’s Hawk a spe- cies; thanks to the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlases I and II we have a much clearer picture of the (now Spotted Towhee’s) breeding dis- tribution; the number of CBCs has grown considerably and those species names are no longer used in current taxonomy, but I would guess that most of you know to which species they now refer; the ven- ues in which to report birds, both common and rare, are not limited to hard-copy publications; and convention registration no longer re- quires pen and stamp. I encourage old and new members to take a peek at what the jour- nal has published. Issues dating back to April 2000, which is when we first started printing from a PDF format, are available on the CFO website under the Birding Resources tab. The CFO Board is looking at options for getting the remaining past issues online. If you have any ideas we should consider or if you would like to participate in this endeavor, please send me an email (or pen me a note and mail it). And, yet, to prove that not all changes are permanent, take a look at who the journal editor was for the earliest issue available on the website. It was none other than our new editor, Scott Gillihan. It is a pleasant treat to see that some changes are not forever. Welcome back! The journal has had three editors between Scott’s editorships, most recently Peter Burke who is stepping down from the journal but not away from involvement in CFO. Colorado Birds continued to provide outstanding content under Peter Burke’s editorship that started with the fall 2013 issue and which included an interview introducing Peter and his thoughts on the future of CFO and the journal. Not only did he bring skill and expertise to the editor posi- tion, but his thoughtful insight and perspective on other issues during Board meetings will be missed. On behalf of CFO, our many thanks to you, Peter, for your contributions to our organization, to Colorado Birds, and to Colorado birding. May you have many more sunrises, wing glimpses, and terabytes of ridiculously memorized data to sort through in the years ahead. Colorado Birds Spring 2016 Vol. 50 No. 2 63 ABOUT THE AUTHORS Contributors News From the Field David Dowell is an outdoor enthusiast based in Longmont. When he isn’t hiking or birding, he’s working as a meteorologist at the NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, trying to make thunderstorm forecasts better. The Hungry Bird Dave Leatherman is a photographer, entomologist and expert on Colorado birds. He is a regular contributor to Colorado Birds as author of The Hungry Bird. His photographs of birds carry- ing food are of such high quality that many of the invertebrates can be identified to species. He obtained his B.S. from Marietta College and his M.S. from Duke University. When not birding, Dave has been known to occasionally enjoy a night on the town listening to live jazz. In The Scope Tony Leukering is a freelance ornithologist currently based in Florida. His primary interest in birds is migration, and his work has included nearly 14 years at the Rocky Mountain Bird Ob- servatory. He is a recipient of CFO’s Ron Ryder Award and has authored virtually all of the In The Scope columns for Colorado Birds. Fully Exposed Bill Schmoker is a middle school science teacher, is extremely active in the birding community and is a frequent photo con- tributor to Birding and other ABA publications in addition to a wide variety of books, magazines and other media. He authored the Geared for Birding column in the American Birding Asso- ciation’s Winging It newsletter and contributes to birding blogs for both ABA and Leica. He is involved with the ABA Young Birders program as a Camp Colorado and Camp Avocet instruc- tor and photo module judge for the Young Birder of the Year contest. Bill is an eBird reviewer and member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee and is a past president of CFO. 64 Colorado Birds Spring 2016 Vol. 50 No. 2 Featured Authors John Kirk Townsend Robert Righter is co-author of Colorado Birds, Birds of Western Colorado and author of Bird Songs of Rocky Mountain States.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Philadelphia to the Coast in Early Days, and the Development Of
    Volume XVIII January-February. 1916 Numbor 1 PHILADELPHIA TO THE COAST IN EARLY DAYS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN ORNITHOLOGY PRIOR TO 1850+ By WITYER STONE T IS MY PRIVILEGE at this meeting to represent the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. On the long journey from coast to coast that-the I eastern members have just completed, the names both of localities that we passed and of birds that we saw, have constantly called to mind the fact that other and more worthy Philadelphia ornithologists had made this trip before. They came not to participate in scientific meetings nor to enjoy the generous hospitality of friends and fellow students, but as pioneers in investigating the natural resources of one of the richest sections of our continent; to search out in the wilderness the new species of birds, mammals, plants, etc., to bring home specimens upon which scientific descriptions and names might be established. They came, not surrounded by all the comforts of modern travel, but on foot or on horseback, picking their way through unexplored wilds, exposed to indian attack and at the mercy of the elements, dependent largely upon ts country through which they passed for sustenance. Some of them gave2 their lives in the pursuit of our favorite science, and to one and all we owe a debt of gratitude for the part they played in developing our knowledge of the ornithology of the Pacific Coast. Though we are inclined to think of these early explorers as men of mature years, they were mostly young fellows from 19 to 21 or 30 years of age, ready for any hardships or danger in the pursuit of their object.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Account for Lesser Nighthawk
    California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group LESSER NIGHTHAWK Chordeiles acutipennis Family: CAPRIMULGIDAE Order: CAPRIMULGIFORMES Class: AVES B275 Written by: M. Green Reviewed by: L. Mewaldt Edited by: D. Winkler, R. Duke DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY An uncommon summer resident in arid lowlands, primarily in desert scrub, desert succulent shrub, desert wash, and alkali desert scrub habitats. Also forages over grasslands, desert riparian, and other habitats with high densities of flying insects. Occurs north in the Sacramento Valley to Tehama Co. (Grinnell and Miller 1944) and southern Shasta Co., and to lower Mono Co. east of the Sierra Nevada (McCaskie et al. 1979). More common in desert areas of southeastern California. Casual in winter mostly in southeastern deserts. Transients sometimes noted on the Channel Islands in spring and summer, and rare in spring on Farallon Islands (DeSante and Ainley 1980). SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: Feeds on insects, which it hawks on long, low flights over open areas. Also makes short flights from the ground in the manner of a common poorwill (Bent 1940). Cover: Nests and roosts on bare sand and gravel surfaces; desert floor, along washes; sometimes uses levees and dikes for nesting. Forages over grasslands, open riparian areas, agricultural lands, and similar open habitats where insects thrive. Reproduction: Nests in the open on gravelly or sandy substrate. Also uses dikes and levees for nesting. Water: May drink while skimming over water surface (Bent 1940). Pattern: Undisturbed gravel or sand surface for roosting and nesting; open lowlands, riparian areas, agricultural fields, or other insect-rich areas for foraging.
    [Show full text]
  • Birdobserver17.4 Page183-188 an Honor Without Profit Richard K
    AN HONOR WITHOUT PROFIT by Richard K. Walton eponymy n The derivation of a name of a city, country, era, institution, or other place or thing from the name of a person. Gruson in his Words for Birds gives seven categories for the origins of common bird names: appearance (Black-capped Chickadee), eponymy (Henslow’s Sparrow), echoics (Whooping Crane), habitat (Marsh Wren), behavior (woodpecker), food (oystercatcher), and region (California Condor). The second category comprises people and places memorialized in bird names. Many of our most famous ornithologists as well as a fair number of obscure friends and relations have been so honored. A majority of these names were given during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the pioneering era of North American ornithology. While some of these tributes are kept alive in our everyday birding language, others have slipped into oblivion. Recognition or obscurity may ultimately hinge on the names we use for birds. There is no more famous name in the birding culture than that of John James Audubon. His epic The Birds of America was responsible for putting American science, art, and even literature on the international map. This work was created, produced, promoted, and sold largely by Audubon himself. In the years since his death in 1851, the Audubon legend has been the inspiration for a multitude of ornithological pursuits and causes, both professional and amateur. Audubon painted some five hundred birds in Birds of America and described these in his five-volume Ornithological Biographies. Many of the names given by Audubon honored men and women of his era.
    [Show full text]
  • The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan
    The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California A Project of California Partners in Flight and PRBO Conservation Science The Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Bird Conservation Plan A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Coastal Scrub and Chaparral Habitats and Associated Birds in California Version 2.0 2004 Conservation Plan Authors Grant Ballard, PRBO Conservation Science Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science Tom Gardali, PRBO Conservation Science Geoffrey R. Geupel, PRBO Conservation Science Tonya Haff, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Museum of Natural History Collections, Environmental Studies Dept., University of CA) Aaron Holmes, PRBO Conservation Science Diana Humple, PRBO Conservation Science John C. Lovio, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, U.S. Navy (Currently at TAIC, San Diego) Mike Lynes, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at Hastings University) Sandy Scoggin, PRBO Conservation Science (Currently at San Francisco Bay Joint Venture) Christopher Solek, Cal Poly Ponoma (Currently at UC Berkeley) Diana Stralberg, PRBO Conservation Science Species Account Authors Completed Accounts Mountain Quail - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Greater Roadrunner - Pete Famolaro, Sweetwater Authority Water District. Coastal Cactus Wren - Laszlo Szijj and Chris Solek, Cal Poly Pomona. Wrentit - Geoff Geupel, Grant Ballard, and Mary K. Chase, PRBO Conservation Science. Gray Vireo - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Black-chinned Sparrow - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Costa's Hummingbird (coastal) - Kirsten Winter, Cleveland National Forest. Sage Sparrow - Barbara A. Carlson, UC-Riverside Reserve System, and Mary K. Chase. California Gnatcatcher - Patrick Mock, URS Consultants (San Diego). Accounts in Progress Rufous-crowned Sparrow - Scott Morrison, The Nature Conservancy (San Diego).
    [Show full text]
  • Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with Birds Observed Off-Campus During BIOL3400 Field Course
    Birds of the East Texas Baptist University Campus with birds observed off-campus during BIOL3400 Field course Photo Credit: Talton Cooper Species Descriptions and Photos by students of BIOL3400 Edited by Troy A. Ladine Photo Credit: Kenneth Anding Links to Tables, Figures, and Species accounts for birds observed during May-term course or winter bird counts. Figure 1. Location of Environmental Studies Area Table. 1. Number of species and number of days observing birds during the field course from 2005 to 2016 and annual statistics. Table 2. Compilation of species observed during May 2005 - 2016 on campus and off-campus. Table 3. Number of days, by year, species have been observed on the campus of ETBU. Table 4. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during the off-campus trips. Table 5. Number of days, by year, species have been observed during a winter count of birds on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Table 6. Species observed from 1 September to 1 October 2009 on the Environmental Studies Area of ETBU. Alphabetical Listing of Birds with authors of accounts and photographers . A Acadian Flycatcher B Anhinga B Belted Kingfisher Alder Flycatcher Bald Eagle Travis W. Sammons American Bittern Shane Kelehan Bewick's Wren Lynlea Hansen Rusty Collier Black Phoebe American Coot Leslie Fletcher Black-throated Blue Warbler Jordan Bartlett Jovana Nieto Jacob Stone American Crow Baltimore Oriole Black Vulture Zane Gruznina Pete Fitzsimmons Jeremy Alexander Darius Roberts George Plumlee Blair Brown Rachel Hastie Janae Wineland Brent Lewis American Goldfinch Barn Swallow Keely Schlabs Kathleen Santanello Katy Gifford Black-and-white Warbler Matthew Armendarez Jordan Brewer Sheridan A.
    [Show full text]
  • 98-100 OB Vol 16#2 Aug1998.Pdf
    98 Photo Quiz Bob Curry Rather few of our birds sit length­ groups. Two species of nighthawks wise along branches as this bird is in the genus Chordeiles have doing. What we have is a dark and occurred in Ontario: the Common light bird with mottled, intricate Nighthawk, which unfortunately is plumage. It displays no legs and far less common than it once was, feet, a tiny somewhat hooked bill, a and the Lesser Nighthawk, which large-headed and no-necked occurred once at Point Pelee associ­ appearance, and rather long, point­ ated with a late April push of tropi­ ed wings. Moreover, it is sleeping! cal air. The other three are true Our only birds which combine nightjars, although two genera are these features are the Caprimulgi­ involved. Alas, the Whip-poor-will dae or nightjars. It is surprising to also is heard by fewer than it once consider that in a north temperate was in Ontario, but is nonetheless a eastern jurisdiction such as is widespread breeding inhabitant of Ontario, five species of goatsuckers southern and central Ontario. The have been recorded. Poorwill, a western species, has These may be divided into two occurred accidentally on the shore ONTARIO BIRDS AUGUST 1998 99 of James Bay, and the Chuck-will's­ and light buffy spots, whereas the widow, a denizen of the hot, humid somewhat less cryptic nighthawks southeastern U.S., has occurred in have plain black primaries. The summer (and bred) at a few wide­ underparts on nighthawks are spread locations, but remains an strongly barred blackish on white extremely rare bird, being recorded or pale buff.
    [Show full text]
  • Artificial Water Catchments Influence Wildlife Distribution in the Mojave
    The Journal of Wildlife Management; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21654 Research Article Artificial Water Catchments Influence Wildlife Distribution in the Mojave Desert LINDSEY N. RICH,1,2 Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA STEVEN R. BEISSINGER, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA JUSTIN S. BRASHARES, Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California- Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall 3114, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA BRETT J. FURNAS, Wildlife Investigations Laboratory, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, USA ABSTRACT Water often limits the distribution and productivity of wildlife in arid environments. Consequently, resource managers have constructed artificial water catchments (AWCs) in deserts of the southwestern United States, assuming that additional free water benefits wildlife. We tested this assumption by using data from acoustic and camera trap surveys to determine whether AWCs influenced the distributions of terrestrial mammals (>0.5 kg), birds, and bats in the Mojave Desert, California, USA. We sampled 200 sites in 2016–2017 using camera traps and acoustic recording units, 52 of which had AWCs. We identified detections to the species-level, and modeled occupancy for each of the 44 species of wildlife photographed or recorded. Artificial water catchments explained spatial variation in occupancy for 8 terrestrial mammals, 4 bats, and 18 bird species. Occupancy of 18 species was strongly and positively associated with AWCs, whereas 1 species (i.e., horned lark [Eremophila alpestris]) was negatively associated. Access to an AWC had a larger influence on species’ distributions than precipitation and slope and was nearly as influential as temperature.
    [Show full text]
  • Nocturnal Survey Guidelines Owls, Nighthawks and Whip-Poor-Wills Present Atlas Surveyors with Several Challenges
    Nocturnal Survey Guidelines Owls, nighthawks and Whip-poor-wills present atlas surveyors with several challenges. Although many Minnesota species, including thrushes and marsh birds, may vocalize at sunset, pre-dawn, or even at night, most can be detected during early morning and daytime surveys. The surveyor’s chances of detecting most owls, however, as well as the common nighthawk and whip-poor-will, will be considerably enhanced by adding nocturnal surveys. Owls Minnesota’s 11 owl species are a mix of permanent, non-migratory residents (Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl and Barred Owl); summer residents (Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, and Saw-whet Owl) and three species whose summer populations probably include both permanent residents and migratory invaders (Boreal Owl, Northern Hawk Owl and Great Gray Owl). The Burrowing Owl is an extremely rare summer resident in the western grassland region and the Barn Owl has been an erratic species whose status as a permanent resident or migratory invader is unknown. Three of these species tend to be more diurnal and the chances of seeing them during the day are relatively good. They include two open habitat species, the Short-eared Owl and Burrowing Owl, and one forest species, the Northern Hawk Owl. Like marsh hawks, Short- eared Owls can often be seen flying low over wet grasslands and marshes hunting for prey during the morning and early evening hours. The Burrowing Owl, a very rare nesting species in the state, is prominent as it stands as a sentinel atop its nesting burrow, just inches above the surrounding grassland.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Nighthawk Chordeiles Minor
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2018 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. 2018. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 50 pp. (http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=24F7211B-1). Previous report(s): COSEWIC 2007. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 25 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Andrew Gregg Horn for writing the status report on Common Nighthawk, Chordeiles minor, prepared under contract with Environment and Climate Change Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Richard Elliot, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Birds Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-938-4125 Fax: 819-938-3984 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur L’engoulevent d’Amérique (Chordeiles minor) au Canada. Cover illustration/photo: Common Nighthawk, copyright by Ronnie d'Entremont. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2018. Catalogue No. CW69-14/515-2018E-PDF ISBN 978-0-660-27850-6 COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – April 2018 Common name Common Nighthawk Scientific name Chordeiles minor Status Special Concern Reason for designation This aerial insectivore is a widespread breeding bird across southern and boreal Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles Minor)
    Newfoundland & Labrador Species at Risk Status: Threatened Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) A medium-sized bird, with a large flattened head, large eyes and mouth, a small bill, and a long, slightly notched tail. They have dark brown plumage, mottled with black, white, and buff. Their long, slender pointed wings reveal a white bar when in flight. They feed on insects and are active at dawn and dusk. © Vincent Lucas Provincial Distribution Habitat/ Range Common Nighthawks breed on bare ground, such as sand dunes, beaches, forest clearings, burned areas, rocky outcrops and barrens, peatbogs, and agricultural pastures. They are found across Canada, but in Eastern Canada they breed only in the southern part of Labrador and are considered an uncommon visitor in Newfoundland. Common Nighthawks winter throughout South America. Population Trends In Canada, this rare bird is undergoing a significant long-term population decline of 4.2% per year. Population trends within the Province are unknown. Limiting Factors and Threats Common Nighthawks have been affected by a decrease in the abundance of insects and an increase in habitat loss and alteration. They adapted to urbanization by making use of flat, gravel-covered rooftops as nest sites. Unfortunately, along with their traditional open habitats, these nesting sites are being lost. Special Significance It is the only species of insectivorous, crepuscular bird that uses a wide variety of habitats and is widely distributed in Canada. You can help protect the Common Nighthawk: Department of Environment & Conservation Report any sightings to the Wildlife Division. Wildlife Division Participate in bird surveys and counts. Endangered Species & Biodiversity Support habitat protection for all our rare species.
    [Show full text]
  • Mecklenburg Breeding Bird Atlas
    Breeding Bird Atlas of Mecklenburg County, NC Written by Donald W. Seri Breeding Bird Atlas of Mecklenburg County, NC Written by Donald W. Seri Illustrations and Layout Design by Leigh Anne Carter Technical Publication Series Number 102: October 2017 Copyright © 2017 Artwork copyright © 2017 Leigh Anne Carter Photographs used with permission and photographers retain copyright of photos All rights reserved. is book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission of the copyright holder(s). Published in partnership with: e Mecklenburg Audubon Society and e Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department Our Partners Mecklenburg Audubon Society e Mecklenburg Audubon Society was founded in 1940. e Society has been a leader in education and conservation in the Charlotte region for over 75 years. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department e Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department was established in 1974. e Department manages over 22,000 acres of parks, greenways, and nature preserves in the county. United States Geological Survey Learn about Breeding Bird Atlas Explorer at: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bba/ Table of Contents Breeding Bird Atlas 1 Red-headed Woodpecker 55 European Starling 96 Results 10 Red-bellied Woodpecker 56 Cedar Waxwing 97 Species Accounts 15 Downy Woodpecker 57 Ovenbird 98 Hairy Woodpecker 58 Worm-eating Warbler 99 Canada Goose 18 Northern Flicker 59 Louisiana Waterthrush 100 Wood Duck 19 Pileated Woodpecker 60 Black-and-white Warbler 101 Mallard 20 American Kestrel 61 Prothonotary
    [Show full text]
  • Chordeiles Minor) in Massachusetts
    GROUND-NESTING AND RELATED BEHAVIOR OF NIGHTHAWKS (CHORDEILES MINOR) IN MASSACHUSETTS by Alexander Hiam and Martin Sutherland In the surraner of 1978 three breeding paira of Common Nighthawks (Chor- deiles minor) were observad in the' I^les Standish State Forest in Ply- mouth County, Massachusetts. Nests of two of the paira -were fovind, and all three paira were followed nntil young were fledged oh nesting was abandonad. These observations are of interest because the nesting of the Common Nighthawk has received little attention in reoent literature, and because these are the first ground nests to be reportad in Massachu­ setts since 1 9 0 3 . After this date, all reportad nests have been on fíat rooftops. The Common Nighthawk is the most widespread of the six Caprimulgids (Nightjars and Goatsuckers) fovmd in North America, and one of two spe- cies in its genus found on the continent. The other, the Lesser Night­ hawk (C. acutipennis), is found in the southem and southwestem United States, and south to Chile and Brazil. The Common Nighthawk's breeding ranga covers most of North America from eastem Alaska to Hudson Bay and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the north, and southward through México and Central America as far as Panama (Ridgely, 1976). Common Nighthawks mi- grate in the autumn and can be found as far south as Córdoba and Buenos Aires in Argentina during the winter (DeSchauensee, 1970). The form conceming us is the nominate race, C. m. minor, which breeds west to the eastem edge of the Great Plains and north to British Columbia and the Southern Yukon (Bent, 19^0).
    [Show full text]