Date: 03/25/09
Contact: Margie Klein
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3502

STATE OF THE BIRDS IN NEVADA

Most of us have been focused recently on the state of the union or the state of the state, but what about the state of birds within the state?

Those who are interested can find the answer to that question in the state of the birds report, recently released by fish and wildlife agencies across the nation, including the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The status report, entitled the “State of the Birds United States of America 2009,” is of vast importance to bird biologists, bird watchers, and bird hunters. It can be viewed online at www.stateofthebirds.org.

The report is a compilation of 40 years of data from ongoing bird surveys conducted across the U.S. Citizen-scientists and biologists from Nevada submitted data gathered from such efforts as the annual Christmas Bird Count and other surveys. The report represents a partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Geological Survey, state wildlife agencies, American Bird Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, and other conservation organizations.

The purpose of the report is to demonstrate that bird populations depend on an adequate amount of quality habitat and shows that there has been a decline in bird populations due primarily to habitat loss and degradation. However, the report also shows promise for birds in habitats that have been restored and conserved.

The “State of the Birds” calls special attention to the situation in Hawaii, where nearly all native bird species are in danger of extinction without conservation measures. In arid-lands such as Nevada, birds have sustained a 30-percent decline. Other areas of concern include grasslands across the U.S., where a 40-percent decline has taken place. In addition, 39 percent of species dependent on U.S. oceans have declined and there is also great concern for many coastal shorebirds. Of more than 800 species of native birds in the U.S., 67 are federally listed as endangered or threatened, and more than 184 are species of conservation concern.

The good news is that many species have shown a positive response to habitats where conservation actions have taken place. For instance, many wetland birds are on the rebound thanks to the protection of more than 30 million wetland acres. Across the nation, 39 species of waterfowl game species have increased by more than 100 percent, the result of restoration and protection efforts by sportsmen’s and other groups. In Nevada, the Las Vegas Chapter of Ducks Unlimited has worked on habitat restoration for waterfowl at the Clark County Wetlands Park and habitat enhancement at the Overton Wildlife Management Area.

Upon release of the report, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar stated, “Our collective ability to prevent extinction and reverse environmental degradation are reflected in this report, exemplified by the remarkable recovery of waterfowl populations across the continent and the comeback of species that were once endangered, including the bald eagle and peregrine falcon.”

Salazar added, “Americans love wild birds and are willing to spend their hard-earned dollars to see them in the field. This report provides actionable information that will help us secure a future for birds, and a future for the next generation of wild-bird lovers.”

According to Cris Tomlinson, NDOW supervising diversity biologist “The report is extremely important for seeing declines and increases in bird populations. All the data is from established surveys, such as national breeding bird surveys and waterfowl surveys, so we can see where we need to add more monitoring efforts”.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and
conservation fees and a Federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.