ABSTRACTS – DOMESTIC CATEGORY

Lauren Brudney, University of Minnesota - Piping Plover Chick Mortality: A Contribution to Great Lakes Population Recovery.

Abstract: The Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) population is federally endangered; <60 pairs nested in 2006. Recovery efforts are diverse but reduction of egg and chick predation is a major management focus. Use of predator exclosures has increased hatching success (currently ~85%), but does not provide protection to mobile chicks. Chick survival to fledging is typically about 50% of eggs hatched. Identification and evaluation of predator impacts over spatial and temporal scales is needed to increase chick survival and ultimately improve likelihood of population recovery. I propose to study Piping Plover chick mortality in the Great Lakes region by: (1) Evaluating historical nesting records to examine causes and variability in chick mortality among breeding sites, (2) Identifying avian and mammalian predators present at the breeding sites, (3) Examining timing of predator activity during the chick rearing period, and (4) Quantifying relative abundance of avian and mammalian predators at the breeding sites.

Jennifer Mortensen, Villanova University - Conservation ecology and social organization of the endangered White-breasted Thrasher on St. Lucia, West Indies

The White-breasted Thrasher (Ramphocinclus brachyurus) is an endangered mimid endemic to the islands of St. Lucia and Martinique. Research in 2002-2004 established that the population comprises ca. 600 breeding pairs, 83% of which inhabit dry forest along the east coast of St. Lucia in two subpopulations, Praslin (ca. 450 pairs) and Petite Anse (ca. 50 pairs). This work also revealed that the thrasher is a facultative cooperative breeder. The Praslin subpopulation is now facing an immediate threat: a resort under construction will destroy or fragment habitat containing up to 30% of the global thrasher population. Here I examine the effects of habitat loss associated with resort construction on White-breasted Thrasher social ecology and reproductive success. During 2006 I gathered breeding-season data on group membership, nest success, predation rates, philopatry, and survival in areas adjacent to ongoing resort development, at a second, comparison site ca. 1.5 km away, and within fragments on the resort. My approach was to capture, band, and take blood samples from thrashers in the three study areas, and monitor territories and their associated nests to investigate the parameters listed above. This work revealed that cooperatively breeding groups increased from 34% of the population in 2002-2004 to 71% in 2006, with group size increasing from 2.4 to 2.9 birds. 2006 Mayfield nest success estimates were highest in the site adjacent to the resort development, intermediate in fragment nests on the development site, and lowest at the comparison site. My research in 2007 will further examine the role of indirect mechanisms in magnifying overall impacts of habitat loss, as well as the degree of site fidelity of thrashers living in fragments on the development site, and the effects of fragment size on their tendency to maintain territories and group stability. This research advances our understanding of White-breasted Thrasher status and threats, and should influence future decisions about habitat protection on St. Lucia.

Alejandro Pietrek, University of Florida - Assessment of factors that influence distribution of threatened species in Araucaria forests of NE Argentina.

Atlantic Forest of South America, which is a global biodiversity hot spot, harbors some of the most threatened ecosystems and wildlife of the world. One of the endangered forest types within the southern part of the Atlantic Forest is Parana Pine forest, also known as Araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) forest. In northeastern Argentina, only 2 % of original Araucaria forests remain in small, isolated fragments. Loss of this forest, primarily due to commercial timber harvest, has led to endangerment of the Araucaria tree and associated fauna. Araucaria plantations have been established, often beyond the boundary of species range making biogeographical considerations important, but these plantations now are being replaced by pine after harvest. Factors that determine distribution and persistence of wildlife in remnant Araucaria forest patches have not been identified. Also, the biodiversity value of Araucaria plantations is unknown. I will examine factors that influence the distribution of four threatened species historically associated with Araucaria forests. First, I will use a patch occupancy approach corrected for detectability to determine factors that influence presence of Araucaria Tit Spinetails (Leptasthenura setaria) at three scales: patch, landscape and biogeographic region in Araucaria remnants and plantations. Also, I will assess patch occupancy for four other endangered species that already are exceedingly scarce: Vinaceus Parrot (Amazona vinacea), the Azure Jay (Cyanocorax caeruleus) and the Black capped Manakin (Piprites pileata). This research will provide data and habitat models for identification of habitat factors and forest patches critical for species persistence, support restoration and reforestation programs, and contribute to planning of reserve networks to protect this unique fauna.

Bobby Huang-Suo Hsu, University of Hawaii at Hilo. Transfer of maternal antibodies in Hawaii ‘amakihi.

The introduction of avian malaria had a devastating impact on the endemic avian taxa of Hawaii. Recently, studies provided evidence for a comeback of native honeycreepers at low elevations after nearly a century of absence. Surveys showed that many lowland Hawaii ‘amakihi (Hemignathus virens) are reproducing, and many of the hatch year birds have resistance to avian malaria soon after fledging. Malaria-resistant females may improve the
survival of their offspring by depositing maternal antibodies in their eggs as an added form of protection against disease in the nestling and early fledgling stage. If maternal-natal antibody transfer is beneficial to reproductive success, we might expect to observe this phenomenon in a wild population of Hawaii ‘amakihi at low elevations where avian malaria is prevalent (but no antibody transfer at malaria-free high elevation). To determine whether transfer of maternal antibodies occurs in Hawaii ‘amakihi, we will exam 15 to 20 breeding female ‘amakihi and their eggs at low and high elevation sites on Hawaii. The blood and egg samples of ‘amakihi will be tested using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the presence of antibodies against avian malaria.

Stephen Agius, University of Maine – Can Patterns of Energetic Condition Explain Differences in the Productivity of Arctic and Common Terns (Sterna paradiseae & S. hirundo) at Petit Manan Island?

In the state of Maine, Arctic Terns (Sterna paradiseae) are listed as a threatened species and Common Terns (S. hirundo) are listed as a species of concern. For the past century the two species have responded differently to conservation efforts and the basis for these differences remains unclear. Identifying the physiological factors that continue to limit the two species from full recovery is critical for the conservation of their populations. To better understand the basis for different responses in recovery between the two species, I am comparing the physiological condition of the birds throughout key periods of the breeding season. I will examine the condition of the terns when they first arrive to the island, and throughout the incubation and chick rearing stages. The changes in physiological condition throughout the breeding season will be examined within and between species using several measures of energy use and reproductive state.

An individual’s ability to meet their energetic demand is dependent on their physical condition upon arrival at the nesting colony, and will influence their subsequent breeding success. In an effort to determine how well an individual is meeting their energy demands, I will examine baseline corticosterone (the major energy-regulating steroid), plasma metabolites (indicators of the processes of putting on or using fat) and breeding hormones (indicators of reproductive state) and link these with breeding success. Measurements of parental effort will be monitored to better document individual activity related to clutch productivity. Based on my preliminary data, Arctic Terns arrive at their breeding colonies in a reduced condition and remain in poorer condition than Common Terns. The differences in fitness between the two species may explain the discrepancy in nesting success and population recovery.

ABSTRACTS – LATIN AMERICA CATEGORY

Claudia Alejandra Lizana Moreno, Universidad de Costa Rica - The effect of forest age on the ecology and energy intake of the ocellated antbird (Phaenostictus mcleannani), an obligate army-ant-following bird.

The lost of biodiversity in tropical areas has increased in recent years and it is necessary to generate evidence-based conservation practices to mitigate this loss. Insectivorous understory birds that join mixed-species flocks are among the most sensitive birds to forest fragmentation and disturbance in the neotropics, but the mechanisms causing their decline are still unknown. I propose a study to document and preliminary evaluate a potential mechanism responsible for the decline of one of these birds: the ocellated antbird (Phaenostictus mcleannani). Based on previous observations, I hypothesize that forest disturbance causes reductions in food availability that are responsible for population declines in this species. The project will be conducted at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, which includes a mosaic of old-growth forest, and secondary forests of different ages. I propose to 1) measure the effect of those forest types on the distribution and abundance of this species, and 2) determine the influence of those forest types on energy intake. My methods for the first goal include the use of Geographic Information Systems to analyze the distribution of >1500 foraging, roosting and nesting locations recently recorded at La Selva, according to forest type, and the direct quantification of foraging group sizes in each forest type. The methods for the second goal include the direct measurement of food and energy intake rates in each forest type, and the theoretical determination of the minimum field metabolic rate and food intake rate required for this species to survive. The main contribution of this project is the identification and initial evaluation of a potential proximate mechanism that could cause the decline of ocellated antbirds and similar species following forest disturbance, i.e. decrease in energy intake below required metabolic levels in disturbed areas.

Nestor Damian Fariña, Parana Pine Forest Project-Misiones, Argentina - Anidación del loro vinoso (Amazona vinacea), una especie bandera del bosque Atlántico de Argentina.

El loro vinoso (Amazona vinacea) es una especie globalmente vulnerable. Es endémica del bosque Atlántico del sudeste de Brasil, este de Paraguay, y la provincia de Misiones en Argentina. Hemos estimado que Argentina cuenta con poco más de 200 individuos.
En Argentina, la gran mayoría de los loros vinosos (por lo menos 167 individuos en 2005) habitan la zona rural entre Tobuna y San Pedro. Y por eso sufre la captura de sus pichones en sus nidos. El primer objetivo de este trabajo es determinar el tamaño de huecos que utiliza el loro vinoso para nidificar. El segundo objetivo es anillar a los pichones en los nidos, para decidir si es factible estudiar su dispersión y supervivencia con este método. El tercer objetivo es dar a los lugareños una oportunidad de ayudar en el estudio de los loros vinosos, para que disfruten a estas aves en su estado silvestre. En 2006, con la ayuda de los lugareños de Tobuna, ubiqué nueve nidos activos de loro vinoso. Como los loros suelen re-utilizar sus huecos, visitaré estos huecos nuevamente en septiembre de 2007, y seguiré a parejas de loros para dar con otros nidos. Cuando encuentro un nido, si está a menos de 15 m de altura, lo revisaré con una pequeña cámara montada en un poste telescópico. Si el nido está arriba de los 15 m, y si es seguro para subir (árbol vivo) subiré con un sistema de soga y harnés especiales para escala de árboles. Con este sistema, tiro la soga sobre una rama firme, y trepo la soga usando deslizadores y eslingas. Este estudio será el primero en determinar qué tamaño de huecos usan los loros vinosos para nidificar, y el porcentaje de nidos que son exitosos. Al tener pichones anillados, podremos evaluar el uso de anillamiento para poder estudiar la supervivencia y dispersión de juveniles. Para los lugareños, participar en el estudio de los nidos en sus propiedades significaría un paso hacia la conservación de los loros en su estado silvestre.

Mieko Ferreira Kanegae, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil - Habitat Use and population size of endemic and threatened bird of Cerrado at the Ecologic Station of Itirapina, São Paulo.

Cerrado is the second largest ecological region in South America. Today it is ranked among the 25 most important terrestrial hotspots and, in Brazil, is the second biome in the numbers of threatened species, especially to those that are endemic and threatened. The greatest challenge Brazilian ornithologists have to face is the lack of information on the basic biology of rare species, as well as the increasing number of threatened species. However basic information on many species is meager or nonexistent. The objectives of this study are: 1) Investigation of habitat use of Alectrurus tricolor, Culicivora caudacuta and Melanopareia torquata; 2) Estimation of density and population size of endemic (Melanopareia torquata, Saltator atricollis, eothraupis fasciata, Cypsnagra hirundinacea and Cyanocorax cristatellus) and threatened species (Culicivora caucatura, Alectrurus tricolor and Poystictus pectoralis. 3) Investigation of Melanopareia torquata territory defense by male and female; 4) Conservation strategies recommendations. Two spatial scales were established to analyze the habitat use: microhabitat and macrohabitat. Independent and punctual observations of M. torquata, A. tricolor (vulnerable) and C. caudacuta (vulnerable) have been registered to obtain the microhabitat (IUCN 2004). The vegetation structure is analyzed around a radius of 10 m from the bird place. The method utilized to estimate habitat selection will be based on use-availability. In this analysis the individual distribution of the species observed in each habitat type will be compared with the expected number of individuals, considering the availability of the referred habitat. In order to obtain the density and population size, point counts were systematically placed also known as variable circular plots. The total of 120 point counts were disposed at 100 m of distance to the road and 50 m to backfire. Each point count has been estimated during a period of 10 minutes. They were sampled twice a year on altered order in the morning and in the afternoon, from August to January from 2007 to 2008, when the birds vocalize more. The population size will be estimated using the total area of available habitats multiplied by estimated density of the species. This study could be useful as a support to analyze the threatened category of Cerrado bird and could allow the establishment of conservation strategies.