North American grassland birds colonized emerging habitat created by expanding agriculture in a pattern of eastward expansions from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s. These birds have been declining, since at least the mid-1900s, largely as result of anthropogenic landscape change. Only one bird that now breeds predominantly in southeastern pine savannas is thought to have experienced a concurrent range expansion

A variety of seabird species migrate annually from wintering grounds in the Southern Hemisphere to the Gulf of Maine, USA to breed and raise their young. Post-migration, adult seabirds depend on the spatio-temporal match of reliable food resources to replenish energy reserves before breeding. However, the conditions during this critical window of time are becoming increasingly uncertain given the magnitude

Forest structure and composition in eastern U.S. forests are changing because of forest regeneration after farmland abandonment, less frequent occurrence of severe disturbances, and climate change. Some of these changes may disproportionally affect birds that rely on gap dynamics or other forest canopy disturbances to create understory habitat. The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is one such

Recent advances in passive acoustic monitoring warrant the review of survey protocols because passive acoustic monitoring can increase sampling effort with minimal additional cost. In particular, protocols for nocturnal species should be re-evaluated because automated processing with signal recognition is expected to perform well for these species and surveys conducted by human observers are often

Micronesian Starlings?(Aplonis opaca) are one of two native forest bird species that have survived on the island of Guam despite predation by invasive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis). We report the first detailed account?of the starling’s breeding biology to help understand how this species has persisted and guide management to conserve and expand the population. Our surveys indicated that although

Visual openness is a key element in habitat selection for many animals of grasslands and other open habitats, especially birds. Obstructions to visual openness in the form of human infrastructure or inopportune woody vegetation growth can lead to habitat avoidance, and thus pose conservation challenges. Here we introduce a remotely sensed, lidar-based index of visual openness. Like previous indices

Electrical transmission line development has been expanding globally by 5% per year, leading to increases in avian collisions with lines. Canadian estimates of transmission line collision mortalities range from 2.5 to 25.6 million birds per year, with the majority of mortalities attributed to collisions with overhead shield wires, and by susceptible birds that are young, large-bodied, with low maneuverability

Annual population growth in songbirds can be particularly sensitive to post-fledging survival, but research and management are frequently biased toward the nesting stage. Post-fledging information is particularly scarce for species breeding in desert bird communities, many of which have collapsed in recent decades. During 2017–2019 at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA, we used radio

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) breeding populations in inland North America have declined significantly since the 1970s. A 2012 survey of the large Manitoba lakes, previously the largest known inland population stronghold, reported a 57–67% decline in 20 years. A further 38% decline by 2017 highlights the urgent need for research and management. We use ground-based estimates of productivity and analysis

The conditions encountered during the migratory period, particularly at stopover sites, can influence individual survival, reproductive success, and population stability; therefore, knowledge of migration ecology is important for developing conservation strategies. We monitored stopover site use by Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens) marked with satellite transmitters between their breeding area in

Documenting and interpreting trends in the abundance and distribution of bird populations is critical to monitoring their status and setting conservation priorities. This process requires standardized monitoring and robust analytical techniques, which can resolve trends at spatial scales of management interest while disentangling the influence that various data collection protocols can have on the

Anthropogenic landscape modification which leads to the displacement of species, is arguably one of the most profound impacts on animal movement globally. In urban landscapes, animal movement is generally impacted by varying levels of increased urbanization. However, this is species dependent and is mostly guided by the surrounding habitat. Fragmentation and habitat patch isolation must be considered

Agri-environmental measures aim at mitigating the negative impacts of modern agriculture on farmland biodiversity. For example, soil management practices can positively influence the abundance and diversity of songbirds in olive groves by enhancing habitat and food availability. However, little is known about their potential implications on the breeding success of these species. We monitored nest density

The management of avian populations at risk requires accurate estimates of vital rates across age and sex classes to effectively identify the most vulnerable demographic and support conservation actions. In the endangered Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), there are relatively few reliable estimates of reproductive success because they breed in such low densities across such a large and relatively inaccessible

Populations of several species of birds endemic to the Galápagos Islands have declined during recent decades, including endemic Little Vermilion Flycatchers (Pyrocephalus nanus). Understanding the reasons for the low breeding success of this species is a prerequisite for developing efficient conservation strategies. Studies of sympatric Darwin’s finches suggest two potential reasons: parasitism by

Animal behavior regularly has substantial effects on the outcomes of reintroduction efforts. Reintroduction involves capturing a subset of individuals from a source population and releasing them into novel environments where variation in retention rates, predation, and territory acquisition could affect the age-class structure, sex ratio, and genetic and phenotypic characteristics of restored populations

Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) abundance has declined by approximately 75% across North America since 1970. Despite this dramatic decline, Lesser Yellowlegs are infrequently studied on their breeding grounds and have rarely been studied in the boreal forest of Alaska where population size is uncertain. We used a spatially balanced sampling design and surveyed 400 by 400 m plots in 2016 and 2017

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are an important wildlife food resource for Cree people living in communities along the James Bay coasts. According to Traditional Ecological Knowledge, environmental changes along the coast have affected hunting success. Also, changes in the relative abundance of different goose populations that use James Bay may affect hunting opportunities. The objective of our study

The study of migratory songbird transition periods, such as the post-breeding period, is complex because birds undertake different types of movements that vary in space and time. Nonetheless, it is important to understand the extent and duration of the territory and specific sites use to identify human activities likely to affect the species’ survival. Individuals from different regional populations

During the breeding season, Kirtland’s Warblers (Setophaga kirtlandii) are strongly associated with young jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forests in northern Lower Michigan, USA. Since 2007, the species has been breeding in unusual habitat, red pine (Pinus resinosa) dominated plantations, in central Wisconsin, USA. Kirtland’s Warbler productivity and habitat use in red pine is not well understood, and

Forests of eastern North America have been negatively impacted by excessive white-tailed deer browsing for decades. Previous studies have shown how deer-driven changes to forest structure, plant species composition, and microhabitat negatively impact forest birds. However, most experimental studies used relatively small plot sizes with few replications, limiting the transferability of findings to operational-scale

Over the past 40 years, grassland birds have declined steeply in North America, necessitating the study of limiting factors throughout their full annual cycle to mitigate this decline. Here we explored factors that may influence winter survival of two grassland specialist birds with steep declines; Baird's Sparrow (Centronyx bairdii) and Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). We studied the relationship

Future climate change poses an immediate threat to biodiversity. Species are shifting their geographic distribution in direct response to climate change. Species around the globe are expected to redistribute poleward and/or to high elevations. However, in the Neotropical region, the effects of climate change on species distribution are still unclear. Here, we aimed to infer the current and future geographical

Aerial insectivore populations have declined significantly across Canada for the last fifty years. Although there are several suggested drivers of these population declines, including agricultural intensification, not all species show similar spatiotemporal population trends. Therefore, comparing interspecies differences in breeding productivity on the breeding grounds is vital to understand what is

Seabirds, being long-lived top-level marine predators, are often considered to be valuable environmental indicators. With growing evidence of seabird declines worldwide, it is essential to monitor changes in populations and determine drivers of change. The Seychelles Archipelago supports the greatest abundance of seabirds in the tropical Indian Ocean, but regional seabird population breeding success

Many species of migratory birds are declining worldwide, including throughout North America. Some of the most cited causes of decline are linked to climate change, urbanization, and growth in agriculture. Across eastern Canada, a number of insecticides and herbicides are commonly sprayed before and during the grain growing season to control pests and foliage competitors. During wintering and migration

Wetlands are essential for many animal and plant species. However, many of these ecosystems are being degraded. Wetland degradation affects the habitat of certain groups of species such as waterfowl, which use these environments at different stages of their life cycle. In this study, we assessed the quality of man-made wetlands, i.e., mine tailing ponds, in comparison to beaver ponds, which are natural

Conservation agencies use viewing blinds at prairie grouse leks as an outreach tool to engage the public. However, in declining bird populations, disturbance at viewing blinds associated with observer arrivals and departures may exacerbate inconsistencies in lek attendance. We studied observer arrivals and departures at public viewing blinds placed at Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus)

Many marsh passerines are cataloged as threatened taxa, mostly due to their high degree of specialization and the generalized deterioration of wetlands worldwide. In this context, habitat selection studies are a very helpful tool to achieve optimal wetland management, take appropriate conservation measures, and avoid potential conservation conflicts resulting from species-specific habitat requirements

Fire regimes of forests, i.e., time interval, frequency, extent, and severity of fire events, influence structural changes in the vegetation, and thus shape the composition of avian communities. We studied the diversity of avian guilds in sites with different fire regimes (unburned, burned 2002, burned 2015, and burned 2002 and 2015), testing both the "intermediate disturbance" and "vertical vegetation

Island species play important roles in local ecosystems, but they are undergoing unprecedented rates of extinction from a variety of threats including emerging infectious disease, invasive species, and climate change. These threats are of particular concern for island species because island species often have limited genetic or geographic ability to escape these threats. Little is known about the long-term

Various animal species worldwide use artificial environments for reproduction, a suitable alternative to dwindling native habitats. An artificial lake system established in the core zone of the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, primarily intended for recreational purposes, assists wildlife to cope with water shortages and the extreme hot climate of the Arabian Desert

Ecosystem anthropization is a main driver of biodiversity loss, but not all species are equally susceptible. Understanding and preventing biodiversity loss is particularly important in rapidly changing and biodiversity-rich areas like the Neotropics and requires exploring the role of both intrinsic and extrinsic vulnerability drivers. Here, we test how multiple potential intrinsic and extrinsic factors

Predation is often the leading cause of nest failure among passerines; however, specific causes are often unknown or can be misidentified in the field. Therefore, it is critical to improve our understanding of causes of nest predation and factors that influence passerine nest success. In the remnant bottomland hardwood forests of east-central Arkansas, we monitored 282 passerine nests during summers

Temperate grasslands are among the most altered biomes worldwide, largely through anthropogenic modification. The rapid construction of renewable energy projects is necessary to accommodate growing energy demands and, when existing projects are upgraded, alterations to associated infrastructure are necessary. The direct effects of these developments on wildlife are relatively well understood (e.g.

How animals choose habitats during periods of inactivity, such as roosting or resting, is an often overlooked aspect of habitat preference that can differ significantly from how habitats are selected during active periods. Eastern Whip-poor-wills (Antrostomus vociferous) are migratory nocturnal aerial insectivores that breed throughout eastern North America. In Canada, Whip-poor-will populations have

Intentional poisoning is a common practice to reduce bird damage to agricultural crops. Understanding the extent, distribution, and influencing factors of such incidents is key to reducing poisoning of farmland birds and scavengers which are threatened via secondary poisoning. We recruited volunteers to look for dead birds in red bean (Vigna angularis) farms during the seeding period in autumn 2016

Temperate grassland biomes are globally imperiled, and grassland birds are in precipitous decline as a result. The majority of North America's grassland birds breed on rangelands occupied by domestic cattle, but reintroductions of bison to restore evolutionary grazing patterns are increasingly common. Grassland landscapes in western North America have undergone drastic changes since millions of bison

Secretive marsh birds, including rails and bitterns, have experienced widespread population declines due to the loss of wetland habitat on which they depend. Because of their cryptic behavior, secretive marsh birds are challenging to study and information on their habitat requirements is limited, especially across the full annual cycle. Quantifying habitat associations throughout the annual cycle and

Many island endemics around the world have evolved from populations of colonists. Further colonizations may lead to interactions between older and newer colonists. Little is known, however, regarding the impact of more recent island colonizers on incumbent congeners, partly because of a dearth of examples of natural colonizations in the recent past. Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) recently

Conservation of migratory species depends on an understanding of the drivers causing population declines across the annual cycle. Since it is difficult to track the entire annual cycle for long-distance migrants, measurements from part of the cycle may provide insights into overall drivers. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) in Canada have undergone steep and long-term population declines. Using Breeding

Agriculture affects biodiversity on a global scale and especially in the Neotropics, leading to land-management challenges in which native wildlife is forced to interact with high-contrast landscape matrices. Further, the direct and indirect effects of hurricanes impacting native habitat in human-modified landscapes increases reliance on agricultural areas and high-contrast matrices. To understand

Phenotypic plasticity may help organisms persist in modified habitats. Yet, its adaptive value is frequently ignored because fitness consequences are not explored at the required time scale. Taking advantage of a 16-yr nest-box supplementation program, we explored effects of nest type and two social-ecological indices (breeding cluster size and distances between clusters) on adult and offspring survival

Despite a generalist life history and a widespread distribution, the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) has declined by more than 58% since 1970. In Illinois, where this study was conducted, the current rate of decline is 7.03% annually. We hypothesized that low reproductive success in intensely agricultural areas is driving population decline. To test this, we quantified the nesting success and post-fledging

Conservation efforts addressing the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation on movements must rely on operational definitions of land-cover types that are relevant to the behavioral decisions made by the species of interest. Travel costs, and ultimately landscape resistance (or permeability to movement) can be assessed through experiments standardizing the motivation of individuals to move across

Located in the northeastern portion of the Canadian province of Alberta, the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) supports large-scale bitumen mining operations. Such development has considerable impacts upon the landscape; however, upland habitat reclamation is underway, providing an opportunity to assess wildlife usage patterns associated with reclaimed habitats relatively early in the reclamation process

We implemented a unique tree-climbing effort to examine nesting-habitat selection of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in managed forest stands of Washington and Oregon during 1996–1999. Researchers climbed over 3000 trees to search for old and active murrelet nests during the breeding season (May–Sept.) in a random sample of stands known to be occupied by murrelets. Within these stands

The decline of aerial insectivorous birds has been hypothesized to stem, in part, from a decline in aerial arthropod prey, underscoring the need for long-term monitoring of both bird and arthropod populations. However, trapping arthropods can be time consuming and efficient methods are required. Our primary goal was to identify the optimal combination of insect traps to collect taxonomic orders of

We present a novel application of palynological analyses to assess habitat use of the endangered Black-polled Yellowthroat (Geothlypis speciosa) and the sympatric Common Yellowthroat (G. trichas) in Lake Cuitzeo, Mexico. Since field monitoring of songbirds can be difficult due to complex habitat requirements, behavioral, or logistical issues, our results provide an important methodological alternative

Songbird communities that rely on sagebrush habitat for breeding are experiencing steep population declines, while a large amount of the sagebrush ecosystem continues to be impacted by energy development. Reclamation is increasingly emphasized as a means of mitigating impacts on species that have been affected by oil and gas development; however, the response of sagebrush species to reclamation has

Modeling a species' distribution can be a powerful tool for predicting the location of additional habitat. Identifying suitable habitat is of critical importance for data-deficient species of conservation concern. The Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis), a small marsh bird, is listed as globally endangered. We created a habitat suitability model for the eastern subspecies focusing on the Atlantic coastal

Artificial lights can disorient birds and lead to injury or death. In Atlantic Canada, lights attract birds at sites along the coastline and offshore, but the relative impacts of lights on birds in this region are largely unknown. We summarized data on stranded bird encounters submitted annually to the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and quantified light radiance values

Understanding spatial and temporal movement patterns of migratory birds throughout the annual cycle can help identify potential population threats. The behavior and habitat use of birds during migration and stopover periods is particularly understudied in many species. In this study, we used high spatial resolution archival GPS tags to track Rusty Blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus) from one eastern (New

Because birds are frequently detected by sound, autonomous audio recorders (called automated recording units or ARUs) are now an established tool in addition to in-person observations for monitoring the status and trends of bird populations. ARUs have been evaluated and applied during breeding seasons, and to monitor the nocturnal flight calls of migrating birds. However, birds behave differently during

Many studies of reproductive success in North American songbirds have focused on nesting success, while relatively few have evaluated breeding-season adult survival and post-fledging survival. Grassland songbirds are among North America's most rapidly declining avian groups, and knowledge of factors that influence vital rates is needed to address declines, develop management strategies, and accurately

Biological invasions occur when individuals of alien species establish and colonize new locations. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is one of the most widespread invasive birds, native to Eurasia and North Africa, and has successfully invaded many regions from across the world. The House Sparrow was successfully introduced in 1852 into North America and quickly invaded most of the North American

Most songbird species show some degree of fidelity to their previous breeding location, especially after successful reproduction. However, species associated with highly dynamic food sources (e.g., outbreaking insects) may have to adopt more flexible strategies. Three species (Tennessee Warbler, Leiothlypis peregrina ; Cape May Warbler, Setophaga tigrina ; and Bay-breasted Warbler, S. castanea ) show

The post-fledging period remains one of the most understudied portions of the avian lifecycle despite the fact that fledglings require resources distinct from those used during nesting. Post-fledging research can further inform breeding grounds management actions and improve conservation outcomes. While the Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is known to make stand-level habitat shifts between

Powerline collisions have been identified on Kaua'i as a potential contributing factor to the large-scale decline of both Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) and Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus newelli), but the scale of the powerline collision problem is unknown. From 2012 to 2020 we conducted observations for seabird powerline collisions across Kaua'i, documented grounded seabirds, and assessed

The Short-crested Coquette (Lophornis brachylophus) is an endangered species endemic to Mexico. Currently, its distribution area is estimated at 53 km². Little to no information exists on its natural history, abundance, and distribution. The purpose of the present study is to describe its food resources, behavior, and interactions with plants and other hummingbirds in addition to its abundance and