Continent-wide population monitoring of merlins and ferruginous hawks.

Authors(s): S. Anderson and L. Ayers

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: Annual

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Abstract: Under the lead of the USGS Snake River Field Station, biologists from a variety of agencies and organizations recently began intensive efforts to coordinate and improve large-scale population monitoring of diurnal raptors in North America. After conducting intensive population surveys for the merlin and ferruginous hawk at the state level, the Wyoming Coop Unit is leading an effort to develop and evaluate a continental monitoring strategy for these two species. This includes a detailed evaluation of existing surveys and databases, such as the Breeding Bird Survey, Christmas Bird Counts, and migrational monitoring stations, as well as development of new methodology where applicable. This project will provide the final frame-work necessary to address the questions of merlin and ferruginous hawk population status in North America.

Keywords: animal, ornithology, breeding, bird, raptor, Aves, merlin, Falco columbarius , Falconidae, ferruginous hawk, Buteo regalis, Snake River, population, habitat, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Snake River Field Station