U.S. Names Red Knot a Threatened Species

A tagged rufa red knot in Mispillion Harbor, DE.
Credit: Gregory Breese / USFWS

RED KNOT LISTING

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced federal protection for a subspecies of the Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), designating it as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.  A “threatened” designation means a species is at risk of becoming endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range.   See listing information at: https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ID=306702E2-C4DB-EDF8-28653BB2E2D600F5

WATERBIRDS Table of Contents 37(3) September 2014

ARTICLES

Abundance and Trends of Colonial Waterbirds on the Large Lakes of Southern Manitoba.

Scott Wilson, Ron Bazin, Wendy Calvert, Terry J. Doyle, Stephen D. Earsom,

Stephen A. Oswald and Jennifer M. Arnold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .       233

Productivity and Chick Growth Rates of Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus) and Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) on the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge, Louisiana.

Tabitha M. Owen and Aaron R. Pierre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      245

Suitability of Coastal Marshes as Whooping Crane (Grus americana) Foraging Habitat in Southwest Louisiana, USA.

Sung-Ryong Kang and Sammy L. King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   254

A 24-Hour Time-Energy  Budget for Wintering American  Black Ducks  (Anas rubripes) and its Comparison to Allometric Estimations.

Orrin E. Jones, III, Christopher K. Williams and Paul M. Castelli. . . . . . . . .      264

Estimating Effects of Habitat Characteristics on Abundances of Three Species of Secretive Marsh Birds in Central Florida.

Bradley W. Alexander and Gary R. Hepp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    274

Comparison of Burning and Weed Barriers for Restoring Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Nesting Habitat in the Gulf of Maine.

Juliet S. Lamb, C. Scott Hall, Stephen W. Kress and Curtice R. Griffin. . . . . . . . 286

Role of Benthic Substrate in Waterbird Distribution on Great Salt Lake, Utah.

Anthony J. Roberts and Michael R. Conover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    298

Dietary Segregation between Breeding Tern Species on the Persian Gulf Islands, Iran.

Farhad H. Tayefeh, Mohamed Zakaria, Hamid Amini, Jamshid Mohammadnejad,

Khosro Darnishi and Sirous Karami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              307

Weather-related Winter Mortality of Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) in the Northeastern Wadden Sea.

Philipp Schwemmer, Bernd Halterlein, Olaf Geiter, Klaus Gunther, Victor M. Corman

and Stefan Garthe. . . . . .. . . . .. . ... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                319

NOTES

Breeding Population of Red-legged Cormorant (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) along the Araucania Region Coast, South-central Chile.

Rodrigo Barros, Heraldo V. Norambuena and Victor Raimilla. . . . . . . . . . .          331

An Inexpensive Technique for Capturing Gregarious Wading Birds on their Foraging Grounds.

John N. Brzorad and Alan D. Maccarone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         335

Tracks of a Stilt-like Bird from the Early Eocene Green River Formation of Utah: Possible Earliest Evidence of the Recurvirostridae (Charadriiformes).

Storrs L. Olson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      340

WATERBIRD SOCIETY 2014 MEETING LA PAZ, MÉXICO 4 TO 8 NOVEMBER

LA WATERBIRD SOCIETY, LA SOCIEDAD PARA EL ESTUDIO Y CONSERVACIÓN DE LAS AVES EN MÉXICO A.C. Y
EL CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES BIOLÓGICAS DEL NOROESTE, S.C.
 ARE PLEASED TO INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN:

LA PAZ, BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR, MÉXICO

 4 TO 8 NOVEMBER 2014

GENERAL COORDINATORS	LOGISTICS COORDINATOR
Dr. Ricardo Rodríguez Estrella Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR) (612) 123-8484 ext. 3353 E-mail:  estrella@cibnor.mx Dr. Felipe Chávez Ramírez Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Tel: (979) 480-0999 E-mail: fchavez@gcbo.org	Silvia Alzaga Mayagoitia Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR) (612) 123-8484 ext. 3493 SCIENCTIFIC PROGRAM COORDINATORS Dr. Erica Nol (Waterbird Society) E-mail:  enol@trentu.ca www.waterbirds.org Dr. Leonardo Chapa Vargas (CIPAMEX) E-mail:  lchapa@ipicyt.edu.mx www.ibiologia.unam.mx/cipamex/

Web page: http://www.cibnor.gob.mx/eventos/waterbirds2014.html

Waterbirds June 2014 37(2)

ARTICLES

Evidence for Genetic Monogamy but Low Mate Retention in the North American Black Tern (Chlidonias niger surinamensis).
David A. Shealer, Sujan Devbhandari and Maria G. Garcia-Mendoza. . . . . . . .  129-135

Comparisons of Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) Diet During the Breeding Season Across its Geographic Range.
Zachary Holderby, Austin Hill, Eduardo Palacios, M. Clay Green, Edgar Amador
and Cecilia de Dios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   136-143

Plumage Coloration in Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) at a Mercury- Contaminated River.
Ariel E. White and Daniel A. Cristol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144-152

Prey Selection and Energy Values of Main Food Items of the Torrent Duck (Merganetta armata) in Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina.
Gerardo Cerón and Claudia Boy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   153-161

Idiosyncratic Migrations of Black Terns (Chlidonias niger): Diversity in Routes
and Stopovers.
Jan van der Winden, Ruben C. Fijn, Peter W. van Horssen, Debby Gerritsen-Davidse
and Theunis Piersma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     162-174

Microsatellite Variability Among Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger intercedens)
Populations in Southern South America.
Rocío Mariano-Jelicich and Enrique Madrid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175-182

Using Morphometry and Molecular Markers for Sexing South American, Cayenne and Royal Terns Breeding in Patagonia, Argentina.
Nora Lisnizer, Leonardo Cotichelli, Pablo Yorio, Néstor Basso and

Alejandro Gatto . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   183-190

Factors Influencing Behavior and Success of Foraging Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens).
Elizabeth M. Bates and Bart M. Ballard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   191-202

NOTES

Winter Migration of Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) Along the Southeastern Pacific.
Elizabeth Skewgar, P. Dee Boersma and Alejandro Simeone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     203-209

Nest Predators of Flightless Steamer-Ducks (Tachyeres pteneres) and Flying Steamer-Ducks (Tachyeres patachonicus).
Marcela Liljesthröm, Laura Fasola, Alejandro Valenzuela, Andrea Raya Rey and
Adrián Schiavini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        210-214

Predation of Greater Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) Eggs by Juvenile Brown Boobies (Sulfa leucogaster) on Ashmore reef.
Jennifer L. Lavers, Ashley Herrod and Rohan H. Clarke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    215-219

Diurnal and Nocturnal Foraging Activity by Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) at an Artificial Weir.
Alan D. Maccarone and Bayleigh L. Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  220-224

Mercury in Migrating Shorebirds in the Illinois River Valley.
Jeffrey M. Levengood, Randolph V. Smith, David A. Gay, Mark A. Davis and
Joshua D. Stafford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     225-229

Waterbirds Special Issue on Loon Research and Conservation in North America-Contents

Red-Tthroated Loon photo by J. Fiely 

Waterbirds Special Issue on Loon Research and Conservation in North America

April 2014 37 (Special Publication 1)

ARTICLES

A Molecular Genetic Assessment of Sex Ratios from Pre-fledged Juvenile and Migrating Adult Common Loons (Gavia immer).  Abigail L. Debiak, Damon L. McCormick, Joseph D. Kaplan, Keren B. Tischler and Alec R. Lindsay

Risk of Predation and Weather Events Affect Nest Site Selection by Sympatric Pacific (Gavia pacifica) and Yellow-billed (Gavia adamsii) Loons in Arctic Habitats. Trevor B. Haynes, Joel A. Schmutz, Mark S. Lindberg and Amanda E. Rosenberger

Variation in the Vocal Behavior of Common Loons (Gavia immer): Insights from Landscape-level Recordings. Daniel J. Mennill

Dynamics of an Aggressive Vocalization in the Common Loon (Gavia immer): A Review.

John N. Mager, III and Charles Walcott

Common Loons (Gavia immer) Wintering off the Louisiana Coast Tracked to Saskatchewan during the Breeding Season. James D. Paruk, Darwin Long, IV, Scott L. Ford and David C. Evers

Size and Retention of Breeding Territories of Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii) in Alaska and Canada. Joel A. Schmutz, Kenneth G. Wright, Christopher R. DeSorbo, Jeff Fair, David C. Evers, Brian D. Uher-Koch and Daniel M. Mulcahy

Body Mass in Common Loons (Gavia immer) Strongly Associated with Migration Distance. Carrie E. Gray, James D. Paruk, Christopher R. DeSorbo, Lucas J. Savoy, David E. Yates, Michael D. Chickering, Rick B. Gray, Kate M. Taylor, Darwin Long, IV, Nina Schoch, William Hanson, John Cooley and David C. Evers

Wildlife Criterion Value for the Common Loon (Gavia immer) in the Adirondack Park, New York, USA. Nina Schoch, Allyson K. Jackson, Melissa Duron, David C. Evers, Michale J. Glennon, Charles T. Driscoll, Xue Yu, Howard Simonin and Amy K. Sauer

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Detected in Common Loons (Gavia immer) Wintering off Coastal Louisiana. James D. Paruk, Darwin Long, IV, Christopher Perkins, Andrew East, Bryan J. Sigel and David C. Evers

The Effects of Lakeshore Development on Common Loon (Gavia immer) Productivity in the Adirondack Park, New York, USA. Carolyn A. Spilman, Nina Schoch, William F. Porter and Michale J. Glennon

Common Loon (Gavia immer) Nesting Habitat Models for North-central Minnesota Lakes. Paul J. Radomski, Kristin Carlson and Kevin Woizeschke 

Survival of Adult Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) May be Linked to Marine Conditions. Joel A. Schmutz

Landscape Assessment of Habitat and Population Recovery of Common Loons (Gavia immer) in Massachusetts, USA. Vincent A. Spagnuolo

The Impact of Mercury Exposure on the Common Loon (Gavia immer) Population in the Adirondack Park, New York, USA. Nina Schoch, Michale J. Glennon, David C. Evers, Melissa Duron, Allyson K. Jackson, Charles T. Driscoll, John W. Ozard and Amy K. Sauer

Historic and Contemporary Mercury Exposure and Potential Risk to Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii) Breeding in Alaska and Canada. David C. Evers, Joel A. Schmutz, Niladri Basu, Christopher R. DeSorbo, Jeff Fair, Carrie E. Gray, James D. Paruk, Marie Perkins, Kevin Regan, Brian D. Uher-Koch and Kenneth G. Wright

Loon Research and Conservation In North America

Yellow-billed Loon photo by C. DeSorbo

Loon Research and Conservation in North America Waterbirds 37 (Special Publication I).
The Waterbird Society announces the publication of a special volume on the conservation issues facing members of the Loon Family (Gaviidae) with an emphasis on the Common Loon (Gavia mimer), but including papers on Red-throated Loons (Gavia stellata) and Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii).  The Loon Research and Conservation in North America Special Issue of Waterbirds is a series of technical, peer-reviewed papers commonly related to loon biology and conservation, that represent the proceedings of the workshop The Status of Gavia: Conservation in Black and White held August 14, 2012, at the University of British Columbia as part of the 5th North American Ornithological Conference.  This special issue presents 15 papers that further our understanding of Gavia behavior, life-history and population ecology, movements and migrations, habitat and landscape requirements and the impacts contaminants have had on loon populations.  This Special Issue was completed in collaboration with BiodiversityResearch Institute (BRI). The special loon issue will be available online at www.bioone.org. 

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Waterbird Assemblages in South Africa

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Waterbird Assemblages in the Wilderness Lakes complex, South Africa.  Ian A. Russell, Rodney M. Randall and Nicholas Hanekom.  Waterbirds 37(1): 1-18.  Waterbirds is an International journal, publishing new information on little known species and promoting new information from around the world.  In the March 2104 issue, this study examined the distribution and abundance of 54 waterbird species from 1992 to 2010 in six intensively used and managed estuarine waterbodies, in South Africa. Ducks and grebes were more abundant in low salinity deeper waterbodies, while waders, cormorants and gulls were more abundant in high salinity shallow waterbodies. Higher quantity and quality of food sources attract herbivorous waterbirds to saline lakes rather than estuaries. Water depth variability influences accessibility of feeding areas, with decreased variability in water levels increasing habitat suitability for herbivores, and reduced open periods in the estuaries decreasing habitat suitability for waders. Turbidity did not significantly influence the distribution of waterbirds, whereas disturbance from human activities and vegetation of sandbanks were considered to be important factors. 

3rd International Flamingo Symposium

5-9 October 2014

San Diego, California, USA

The symposium is an international gathering of flamingo specialists that will increase communication within the international flamingo community and support flamingo conservation and research.  



The Wetlands International/IUCN SSC Flamingo Specialist Group and conference scientific committee are working together with flamingo experts in the field and zoological professionals to increase collaboration and provide high quality scientific presentations. The scientific content of the presentations will focus on all aspects of flamingo conservation including basic ecological studies, wild population accounts, zoological behavior, and husbandry studies. 

For more information or to register, visit the web-site 

or call Laurie Conrad at 619-225-4378.

THE 38th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY

THE  38^th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE WATERBIRD SOCIETY and

THE XIII CONGRESO PARA EL ESTUDIO Y CONSERVACION DE LAS AVES EN MEXICO ORGANIZADO POR CIPAMEX (La Sociedad para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves en México) will be held jointly from 5-8 NOVEMBER 2014 in La PAZ, BCS, MEXICO.

This meeting will be held in La Paz, on the beautiful Baja California peninsula, México.

This is the first call for symposia and workshops topics.  

SPANISH announcement link

Symposia proposals should include: (1) title of symposium, (2) a 2-5 sentence rationale for the symposium's topic, (3) names, contact information, and presentation topics of presenting speakers, (4) requested length of symposium (whole day or half day; whole day would be two 2.5 h sessions, whereas a half day would be a 2-2.5 h session in morning or afternoon) and (5) the contact details of those organizing the symposium. Symposia speakers could speak for 15-30 minutes each, depending on number of speakers, leaving time for wrap-up at the end of the symposia to summarize main messages and allow audience participation. Please also indicate language preference (English or Spanish).

Workshop proposals should include (1) title of workshop, (2) a 2-5 sentence rationale for the workshop's topic, (3) names and contact information for the workshop's leaders, (4) short description of target audience, (5) requested length of workshop, (6) anticipated format and required logistical resources (e.g., room size/type, projection equipment, large table, field access, etc.), (7) maximum number of participants, (8) any required additional costs and/or equipment/software needs to participants and (9) language preference (English or Spanish).

The deadline for submission of symposium and workshop proposals is Friday, 21 February 2014. Please direct questions or submit proposals to ERICA NOL (EM: enol@trentu.ca). A request for abstracts for the general sessions will be made in mid-March. Professional translation services (English to Spanish, Spanish to English) will be made available for all participants.

Meeting details will be on the Waterbirds web site soon.

Atlas of Breeding Colonial Waterbirds in the Interior Western United States

Many states in the western U.S. identified information on colonial waterbird distribution and populations as a priority.  The primary issues included determining their status, identifying conservation issues, and refining conservation actions. The Western Colonial Waterbird Survey (WCWS) was implemented during 2009, 2010, and 2011. The final product is a report with the numbers and colony locations of 19 waterbird species in eight western interior states. 

This final Atlas of Breeding Colonial Waterbirds in the Interior Western United States is completed and available on the Internet.

This Atlas consists of two parts:  the Maps for all the sites surveyed during the WCWS and an Atlas data table.  In addition to this Atlas, the final report includes a State database of the survey data.  All data from the WCWS were entered into Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheets, one for each state.  Each spreadsheet has three parts (sheets):  1) Breeding birds; 2) Nonbreeding, if collected in that state; and 3) historical data, if compiled for that state.

This final Atlas: the State maps, Atlas data tables and State databases are described in: Cavitt, J.F., S.L. Jones, N.M. Wilson, J.S. Dieni, T.S. Zimmerman, R.H. Doster and W.H. Howe. 2014. Atlas of breeding colonial waterbirds in the interior western United States. Research Report, U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Denver, Colorado.  The Atlas is available from U.S. FWS or from Weber State University.