The Rusty Blackbird in Colorado

The Auk ◽  
1927 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-253
Author(s):  
W. H. Bergtold
Keyword(s):  
The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Bale ◽  
Karen F Beazley ◽  
Alana Westwood ◽  
Peter Bush

Abstract Maintaining a functionally connected network of high-quality habitat is one of the most effective responses to biodiversity loss. However, the spatial distribution of suitable habitat may shift over time in response to climate change. Taxa such as migratory forest landbirds are already undergoing climate-driven range shifts. Therefore, patches of climate-resilient habitat (also known as “climate refugia”) are especially valuable from a conservation perspective. Here, we performed maximum entropy (Maxent) species distribution modeling to predict suitable and potentially climate-resilient habitat in Nova Scotia, Canada, for 3 migratory forest landbirds: Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), and Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis). We used a reverse stepwise elimination technique to identify covariates that influence habitat suitability for the target species at broad scales, including abiotic (topographic control of moisture and nutrient accumulation) and biotic (forest characteristics) covariates. As topography should be relatively unaffected by a changing climate and helps regulate the structure and composition of forest habitat, we posit that the inclusion of appropriate topographic features may support the identification of climate-resilient habitat. Of all covariates, depth to water table was the most important predictor of relative habitat suitability for the Rusty Blackbird and Canada Warbler, with both species showing a strong association with wet areas. Mean canopy height was the most important predictor for the Olive-sided Flycatcher, whereby the species was associated with taller trees. Our models, which comprise the finest-scale species distribution models available for these species in this region, further indicated that, for all species, habitat (1) remains relatively abundant and well distributed in Nova Scotia and (2) is often located in wet lowlands (a climate-resilient topographic landform). These findings suggest that opportunities remain to conserve breeding habitat for these species despite changing temperature and precipitation regimes.


The Auk ◽  
1931 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-126
Author(s):  
John B. Lewis
Keyword(s):  

1965 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-36
Author(s):  
L. N. LOCKE ◽  
J. O. KNISLEY
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (8) ◽  
pp. 1736-1745
Author(s):  
Patricia J. Newell Wohner ◽  
Robert J. Cooper ◽  
Sara H. Schweitzer ◽  
Russell S. Greenberg
Keyword(s):  

The Auk ◽  
1926 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 374-375
Author(s):  
Alexander Sprunt,

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 340
Author(s):  
Kathleen K. E. Manson ◽  
Jenna P. B. McDermott ◽  
Luke L. Powell ◽  
Darroch M. Whitaker ◽  
Ian G. Warkentin

Rusty blackbirds (Euphagus carolinus), once common across their boreal breeding distribution, have undergone steep, range-wide population declines. Newfoundland is home to what has been described as one of just two known subspecies (E. c. nigrans) and hosts some of the highest known densities of the species across its extensive breeding range. To contribute to a growing body of literature examining rusty blackbird breeding ecology, we studied habitat occupancy in Western Newfoundland. We conducted 1960 point counts across a systematic survey grid during the 2016 and 2017 breeding seasons, and modeled blackbird occupancy using forest resource inventory data. We also assessed the relationship between the presence of introduced red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), an avian nest predator, and blackbird occupancy. We evaluated 31 a priori models of blackbird probability of occurrence. Consistent with existing literature, the best predictors of blackbird occupancy were lakes and ponds, streams, rivers, and bogs. Red squirrels did not appear to have a strong influence on blackbird habitat occupancy. We are among the first to model rusty blackbird habitat occupancy using remotely-sensed landcover data; given the widespread availability of forest resource inventory data, this approach may be useful in conservation efforts for this and other rare but widespread boreal species. Given that Newfoundland may be a geographic stronghold for rusty blackbirds, future research should focus on this distinct population.


The Auk ◽  
1914 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-250
Author(s):  
Aretas A. Saunders

The Condor ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 810-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Matsuoka ◽  
David Shaw ◽  
Pamela H. Sinclair ◽  
James A. Johnson ◽  
Robin M. Corcoran ◽  
...  

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