Waterbirds 

About: Waterbirds is an academic journal published by The Waterbird Society. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Nest. It has an ISSN identifier of 1524-4695. Over the lifetime, 1476 publications have been published receiving 21964 citations.

A review of human disturbance effects on nesting colonial waterbirds

Abstract: -We reviewed 64 published investigations concerning effects of human disturbance on nesting colonial waterbirds. We summarized and reviewed articles, based on taxonomy, examining investigator, ecotourist, recreator, watercraft, and aircraft activity effects on physiology, reproductive behavior, reproductive success, and population trends of waterbirds. Though most studies found significant negative effects, taking careful measures minimized impact on some species. Guidelines for minimizing investigator and visitor disturbance are outlined. Little practical information for visitor management is available. Increasing pressure from the ecotourism industry to visit waterbird colonies makes research that develops scientifically-defensible tourism policies imperative. Received 27 December 1997, accepted 27 April 1998.

Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Potential Losses of Intertidal Habitat for Shorebirds

Abstract: Global warming is expected to result in an acceleration in current rates of sea level rise, inundating many low-lying coastal and intertidal areas. This could have important implications for organisms that depend on these sites, including shorebirds that rely on them for feeding habitat during their migrations and in winter. We modeled the potential changes in the extent of intertidal foraging habitat for shorebirds at five sites in the United States that currently support internationally important numbers of migrating and wintering birds. Even assuming a conservative global warming scenario of 2°C within the next century (the most recent projections range between 1.4°C and 5.8°C), we project major intertidal habitat loss at four of the sites (Willapa Bay, Humboldt Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Delaware Bay). Projected losses range between 20% and 70% of current intertidal habitat. Such losses might jeopardize the ability of these sites to continue to support their current shorebird numbers. The mo...

Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocol

Abstract: . Little is known about the population status of many marsh-dependent birds in North America but recent efforts have focused on collecting more reliable information and estimates of population trends. As part of that effort, a standardized survey protocol was developed in 1999 that provided guidance for conducting marsh bird surveys throughout North America such that data would be consistent among locations. The original survey protocol has been revised to provide greater clarification on many issues as the number of individuals using the protocol has grown. The Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocol instructs surveyors to conduct an initial 5-minute passive point-count survey followed by a series of 1-minute segments during which marsh bird calls are broadcast into the marsh following a standardized approach. Surveyors are instructed to record each individual bird from the suite of 26 focal species that are present in their local area on separate lines of a datasheet and estim...

Distribution of Wading Birds Relative to Vegetation and Water Depths in the Northern Everglades of Florida, USA

Abstract: The response of Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias), Great Egrets (Casmerodius albus), Wood Storks (Mycteria americana), and White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) to water level (index of depth) and vegetation in the northern Everglades of Florida was studied in two years, each with dissimilar water levels. A regression model was constructed for each species in an average year (1988) and a dry year (1989) to examine the relationship of bird abundance to water depth and area of eight vegetation classes. The analyses showed that bird abundance is related to both water level and the vegetation community, but water level generally had the greatest effect. Models showed that in the average year (1988), there was a water level threshold, above which bird abundance was predicted to decline. The level threshold varied among species and may have reflected species-specific foraging constraints. However, in the dry year (1989), the relationship between bird abundance and water level was positive and linear, indicat...

Breeding Ecology of Whiskered Terns in Algeria, North Africa

Abstract: The distribution of the Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybridus) is scattered, numbers fluctuate and they are threatened in many regions. Its breeding ecology has only occasionally been studied so far. It is relatively common in some North African wetlands. This study was carried out on Lake Tonga, northern Algeria, south of El-Kala (3651’N; 0820’E) in 1996 and 1997, with 169 and 215 initiated clutches studied, respectively. Basic characteristics of the Whiskered Tern breeding ecology studied were: laying date, clutch size, hatchling number, nest size and shape and egg size. Hatching success differed significantly between 1996 and 1997, probably due to weather. Laying date did not influence breeding parameters. Clutch size and hatching success were correlated with size and shape of nests. Hatchability was also correlated with egg length (negatively) and mass (positively). Relationships between breeding characteristic in relation to weather are discussed.