Parasitism, Productivity, and Population Growth: Response of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) to Cowbird (Molothrus spp.) Control

Kus, Barbara E.; Whitfield, Mary J.

doi:10.2307/40166811

Cited by 54 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In contrast, Kirtland's Warblers (Dendroica kirtlandii) did not increase for 15 years after cowbird control eliminated nearly all parasitism, but increased dramatically after wildfire-created habitat of appropriate age became extensively available (DeCapita 2000). Similarly, Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) have not increased after cowbird control programs in California and Arizona (Kus and Whitfield 2005), while populations without cowbird control have remained steady (Farmer et al 2003a, b, Rothstein and.…”

Section: Habitat Fragmentation and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds

Faaborg

Holmes

Anders

et al. 2010

Ecological Monographs

291

259

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Abstract. Our understanding of migratory birds' year-round ecology and evolution remains patchy despite recent fundamental advances. Periodic reviews focus future research and inform conservation and management; here, we take advantage of our combined experiences working on Western Hemisphere avian migration systems to highlight recent lessons and critical gaps in knowledge. Among topics discussed are: (1) The pipeline from pure to applied researchers leaves room for improvement. (2) Population limitation and regulation includes both seasonal and between-season interactions. (3) The study of movements of small-bodied species remains a major research frontier. (4) We must increase our understanding of population connectivity. (5) With few exceptions, population regulation has barely been investigated. (6) We have increasingly integrated landscape configuration of habitats, large-scale habitat disturbances, and habitat quality impacts into models of seasonal and overall demographic success. (7) The post-breeding season (late summer for latitudinal migrants) is increasingly appreciated for its impacts on demography. (8) We recognize the diverse ways that avian brood parasites, nest predators, and food availability affect demography. (9) Source-sink and meta-population models help us understand migratory avian distributions among fragmented habitats. (10) Advances in modeling have improved estimates of annual survival and fecundity, but for few species. (11) Populations can be limited by ecological conditions in winter, but habitat needs are poorly known for most species at this time. (12) Migration tends to occupy broad spatial fronts that may change seasonally or when migrants cross major barriers. En route conditions can limit migrant populations; linking migration habitat quality indicators to fitness or population consequences presents a major challenge. (14) A variety of intra-tropical Neotropical migration patterns are recognizable, but almost nothing is known about these systems beyond descriptions of a few typical species' movements. (15) Global climate change scenarios predict range and phenology shifts of Neotropical migrant bird populations that must be considered in conservation plans. Future studies will depend on new technologies and the integration of modeling with sophisticated, large-spatial-scale measurement and parameter estimation; whether the pace of research and management involving migratory birds can match the growth of environmental threats remains to be seen.

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Section: Habitat Fragmentation and Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds

Faaborg

Holmes

Anders

et al. 2010

Ecological Monographs

291

259

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This includes 3 endangered avian taxa (Kirtland's warbler [ Setophaga kirtlandii ], least Bell's vireo [ Vireo bellii pusillus ], and southwestern willow flycatcher [ Empidonax traillii extimus ]) and 1 recently delisted species (black‐capped vireo [ Vireo atricapilla ]). All 4 taxa are considered conservation‐reliant throughout large parts of their range, in part because of their presumed dependence on control of populations of an obligate brood parasite, the brown‐headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater ; Kus and Whitfield , Michigan Department of Natural Resources [MDNR] et al , Wilsey et al ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing the conservation reliance of the endangered Kirtland's warbler through adaptive management

2019

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Species are considered conservation‐reliant when their continued existence is dependent on human assistance. Conservation reliance challenges the conservation community in terms of their ability to sustain the funding and public‐private partnerships needed for indefinite management. Although increased funding for conservation is critical, reducing conservation reliance through adaptive management represents an attractive alternative. We used a large‐scale ecological experiment as a case study in the use of adaptive management to reduce conservation reliance. For >40 years, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has trapped and lethally removed an obligate brood parasite, the brown‐headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), to protect the Kirtland's warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) from the negative effects that brood parasitism has on its reproductive success. To determine if the conservation reliance of the Kirtland's warbler could be reduced through optimization of the cowbird control program, we used an adaptive management approach. In collaboration with stakeholders, we experimentally reduced cowbird trapping effort across nearly all of the Kirtland's warbler breeding range. We monitored the resulting cowbird abundance and rate of parasitism, and then adjusted the scale of trap reductions based on the previous year's results. Despite reducing (2015–2017) and eventually eliminating (2018) cowbird trapping, we detected only 20 cowbirds (2015–2017) and found that just 4 of 514 (<1%) nests were parasitized (2015–2018). Our results indicate that the cowbird control program can at least temporarily be suspended, thereby reducing conservation reliance in the Kirtland's warbler and freeing funds for other management. We urge the conservation community to consider the use of adaptive management to reduce conservation reliance in other threatened and endangered taxa. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

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“…However, trapping programs should be regularly evaluated for effectiveness, and clear goals should be set for when trapping can stop (Ortega 1998, Kus and Whitfield 2005. Management decisions must continually weigh the costs and benefits of continuing to trap against putting those funds toward the other management recommendations above .…”

Section: Restoration and Management Practices For Minimizing Cowbird mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Short-term cowbird trapping may be helpful in stabilizing highly vulnerable populations, such as the Least Bell's Vireo, for which cowbird trapping resulted in increased reproductive success and population growth (Kus and Whitfield 2005). However, trapping programs should be regularly evaluated for effectiveness, and clear goals should be set for when trapping can stop (Ortega 1998, Kus and Whitfield 2005.…”

Section: Restoration and Management Practices For Minimizing Cowbird mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Habitat fragmentation has also led to the loss of large predators and growth of meso-predator populations (Ortega 1998), which contribute to high nest-predation rates in habitat fragments (Robinson and Wilcove 1994). Consequently, habitat loss and fragmentation, not cowbirds or nest predators, are the primary causes of many bird population declines and the ultimate factors limiting population growth (Whitfield and Sogge 1999, Kus and Whitfield 2005. Habitat restoration is therefore more likely to alleviate the risk of nest predation and parasitism than create a population sink or ecological trap.…”

Section: Are Central Valley Riparian Areas Likely To Be Sinks Becausementioning

confidence: 99%

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Does Restored Riparian Habitat Create Ecological Traps for Riparian Birds Through Increased Brown-Headed Cowbird Nest Parasitism?

Dybala¹,

Seavy

Dettling

et al. 2014

Ecological Restoration

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A growing concern among restoration ecologists is inadvertently creating ecological traps, yet identifying ecological traps is difficult, particularly over a large region and for an entire suite of species. Here we use an example to show that restoration ecologists can evaluate the risk of creating ecological traps. We reviewed the literature and synthesized data to evaluate the risk that restored riparian forests create ecological traps for riparian birds by attracting dense populations of the brood parasite, Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater; hereafter cowbird) in the Central Valley of California, U.S. We found that most riparian bird populations are not highly vulnerable to cowbird parasitism, that there were no differences in cowbird density or parasitism rates between restored and remnant riparian forests, and that the riparian bird community responded positively to restoration. We concluded that riparian restoration in California's Central Valley has a low risk of creating ecological traps through cowbird parasitism. We recommend that restoration ecologists consider the potential for creating an ecological trap early and throughout the restoration design and implementation process, and include plans to monitor species responses to restoration, both in restored areas and in source populations nearby, as well as any specific conditions associated with a potential trap.

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Parasitism, Productivity, and Population Growth: Response of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) to Cowbird (Molothrus spp.) Control

Cited by 54 publications

References 8 publications

Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds

Recent advances in understanding migration systems of New World land birds

Reducing the conservation reliance of the endangered Kirtland's warbler through adaptive management

Does Restored Riparian Habitat Create Ecological Traps for Riparian Birds Through Increased Brown-Headed Cowbird Nest Parasitism?

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