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Download all Bird Statewide Maps (21 MB may be slow to download) |
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BIRD CWCS
SPECIES (94 SPECIES)
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Common name |
Scientific name |
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Botaurus lentiginosus |
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Anas rubripes |
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Pluvialis dominica |
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Falco sparverius |
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Pelecanus erythrorhynchos |
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Scolopax minor |
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Aimophila aestivalis |
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Haliaeetus leucocephalus |
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Riparia riparia |
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Tyto alba |
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Vireo bellii |
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Thryomanes bewickii |
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Chlidonias niger |
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Dendroica fusca |
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Nycticorax nycticorax |
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Himantopus mexicanus |
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Dendroica virens |
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Vermivora pinus |
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Dolichonyx oryzivorus |
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Certhia americana |
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Tryngites subruficollis |
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Wilsonia canadensis |
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Dendroica cerulea |
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Caprimulgus carolinensis |
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Gallinula chloropus |
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Corvus corax |
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Sterna hirundo |
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Spiza americana |
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Calidris alpina |
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Vermivora chrysoptera |
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Ammodramus savannarum |
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Ardea alba |
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Tympanuchus cupido |
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Aythya marila |
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Ammodramus henslowii |
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Lophodytes cucullatus |
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Podiceps auritus |
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Sterna antillarum athalassos |
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Oporornis formosus |
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Rallus elegans |
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Chondestes grammacus |
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Ixobrychus exilis |
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Empidonax minimus |
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Aythya affinis |
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Tringa flavipes |
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Egretta caerulea |
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Lanius ludovicianus |
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Asio otus |
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Seiurus motacilla |
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Ictinia mississippiensis |
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Colinus virginianus |
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Circus cyaneus |
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Anas acuta |
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Pandion haliaetus |
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Falco peregrinus |
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Podilymbus podiceps |
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Charadrius melodus |
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Dendroica discolor |
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Protonotaria citrea |
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Sitta canadensis |
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Picoides borealis |
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Melanerpes erythrocephalus |
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Pheucticus ludovicianus |
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Bonasa umbellus |
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Euphagus carolinus |
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Calidris alba |
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Grus canadensis |
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Passerculus sandwichensis |
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Cistothorus platensis |
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Calidris pusilla |
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Accipiter striatus |
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Limnodromus griseus |
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Asio flammeus |
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Tringa solitaria |
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Porzana carolina |
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Actitis macularius |
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Calidris himantopus |
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Limnothlypis swainsonii |
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Elanoides forficatus |
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Cygnus buccinator |
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Cygnus columbianus |
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Bartramia longicauda |
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Cygnus columbianus |
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Pooecetes gramineus |
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Rallus limicola |
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Calidris mauri |
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Grus americana |
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Caprimulgus vociferus |
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Empidonax traillii |
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Phalaropus tricolor |
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Gallinago delicata |
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Hylocichla mustelina |
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Helmitheros vermivorus |
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Coturnicops noveboracensis |
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Nyctanassa violacea |
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CLASS AVES
American Bittern Botaurus
lentiginosus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N H G4 SHB G4 S1
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Widespread
distribution but populations are declining (NatureServe 2004).
Comment Population estimate due pending Version 2 of the
Waterbird Plan (Kushlan et
al. 2002).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a transient
bird that uses dense, emergent marshes with patches of open
Life History water. It will also use lake and pond edges with
cattails and sedges for stop
over habitat.
Key Habitat condition is POOR (emergent marshes) to
FAIR (lake and pond edges)
Habitat overall in Kentucky.
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat where
available range
wide.
Guilds Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands,
grassland/agricultural, standing water.
Statewide AmericanBittern.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
American Bittern Botaurus
lentiginosus
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration . Loss of dense emergent shallow water
wetlands
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Point and non-point source pollution
4A Acid mine drainage other coal mining impacts
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
4F Urban runoff
Siltation and increased turbidity
1B Agriculture
1D Urbanization/Development General Construction
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion to,
draining of wetlands
3F Urban/residential development. Recreational development
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Natural succession of wetlands
CLASS AVES
American Black Duck Anas rubripes
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4N G5 S4
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Declined from 7 million
in 1955 to 3 million in 1985 (NatureServe 2004).
Comment
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Waterfowl harvest
data show declines in the Mississippi Flyway (Fronczak
Comment 2004).
Habitat / This is a wintering
duck that primarily uses forested wetlands: buttonbush
Life History sloughs, flooded
bottomland hardwoods, and beaver ponds. It will also use
shallow water
wetlands and flooded fields, as well as loaf on larger bodies of
water (which provide
little foraging habitat).
Key Habitat condition ranges from POOR (forested
wetlands, shallow water
Habitat wetlands) to GOOD (larger bodies of water).
No key habitat to
identify; this species will use appropriate habitat statewide.
Guilds Emergent and
shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland, running water,
standing water.
Statewide AmericanBlackDuck.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
American Black Duck Anas rubripes
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Biological/ consumptive uses
5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. With Mallards
5E Hybridization with closely related species. With Mallard on breeding
5N Hunting. Possible
effects of over harvest, especially in areas where
hybridization
commonly occurs
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion of
wetlands
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3M Timber harvest
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain).
Acid precipitation
CLASS AVES
American Golden-plover Pluvialis dominica
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 SZN G5 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Species thought to
be in decline in the U.S. but statistical verification is lacking
Comment (Brown et al. 2001).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a transient bird
that uses shallow water wetlands, wet prairies, flooded
Life History agricultural fields,
and shoreline, mudflat, and sandbar habitat of lakes and rivers.
Key Habitat condition
ranges from POOR (shallow water wetlands, wet praries) to
Habitat FAIR (flooded agricultural fields, shoreline
habitats).
Key Habitat
Locations (and their conditions):
1. Transient lakes
in Warren (good) and Christian (unknown) counties.
2. Shoreline of
Kentucky and Barkely lakes (good). Extending summer pool to
Labor Day (as
proposed Tennessee Valley Authority) would leave the
shoreline unexposed
until after peak shorebird migration (Ritchison and Ranalli
2004).
Guilds Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands,
grassland/agricultural, standing water.
Statewide AmericanGolden-plover.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
American Golden-plover Pluvialis dominica
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2G Water level fluctuations. Alteration of natural drawdown cycle
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion of
wetlands
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of wetlands
CLASS Aves
American
Kestrel Falco sparverius
Federal Heritage
GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S5B,S G5 S5
5N
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Breeding Bird Surveys show a significant decrease of 0.7%
survey-wide for the
Comment period 1966-2007 with a relative abundance of 0.86
individuals per route (Sauer
et al. 2008). An
analysis of migration counts of American Kestrels suggest
declines in the northeastern, midwestern and western
regions of the continent
(Farmer and Smith 2009).
Declines have also been
documented in monitored
populations of kestrels using nest boxes. Related analyses which take into
account the timing of disease and predator population
increases suggest that
causes for decline may be on wintering/migration grounds
(Smallwood et al
2009).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Breeding Bird Surveys in Kentucky show a nonsignificant
decrease of 0.6% for
Comment the period 1966-2007 with a relative abundance of 1.63
individuals per route
(Sauer et al. 2008).
Habitat
/ American
Kestrels are usually found in semi-open and open habitats. They are
Life most abundant in rural farmland where they hunt over fields
and pastures
History (Palmer-Ball 1996).
However, they are also found in native grasslands and
altered habitats such as urban areas, city parks, golf
courses, industrial parks,
and reclaimed surface mines.
Key Habitat condition throughout Kentucky is FAIR for this
species.
Habitat
No key habitat to identify: the species will use
appropriate habitat statewide.
Guilds grassland/agricultural,
urban/suburban.
Statewide
American_Kestrel.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/
consumptive uses
5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. Competition for
cavities with starlings and other species.
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting, or
breeding. Suitable nest site
availability- lack
of natural cavities.
5Q Declining prey base.
Pesticide use, over-grazed pasture and row-cropping.
Terrestrial
habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual reuse of
fields, etc). Results in
lower prey populations in open habitat.
3F Urban/residential development
3N Removal of dead trees
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management
CLASS AVES
American White Pelican Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G3 SZN G3 S4
G-Trend Stable
G-Trend Kushlan et al.
(2002) lists the species as having an apparently stable
Comment population.
North American breeding bird estimate: >120,000 breeders
(Kushlan et al.
2002).
S-Trend Increasing
S-Trend Species has been
observed in increasing numbers over the past several decades
Comment (Palmer-Ball 2003).
Habitat / This is a transient
bird that primarily uses reservoirs, but will also use other
Life History bodies of water that
support fish, such as bald cypress wetlands.
Key Habitat condition
ranges from POOR (bald cypress wetlands) to GOOD
Habitat (reservoirs).
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds running water,
standing water.
Statewide AmericanWhitePelican.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
American White Pelican Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites)
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
at
feeding site
6E Illegal killing
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
4F Urban runoff
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain)
CLASS AVES
American Woodcock Scolopax minor
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4S5B G5 S4
,SZN
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Species thought to be
in decline in the U.S. but statistical verification is lacking
Comment (Brown et al. 2001).
S-Trend Stable
S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources singing ground surveys
Comment indicate stable populations.
Habitat / Resident bird that
breeds in young forests and other early successional habitats
Life History that are a result of
forest disturbance. Habitat structure
for adequate feeding
cover,
display/roosting grounds and nesting must be provided during the
breeding season and
a diversity of habitat types must be provided for wintering
birds (NatureServe
2004).
Key Habitat condition ranges from UNKNOWN (young
forests) to POOR (early
Habitat successional forests).
No key habitat to identify;
the species will use appropriate habitat statewide.
Guilds grassland/agricultural,
savanna/ shrub-scrub, upland forest.
Statewide AmericanWoodcock.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
American Woodcock Scolopax minor
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3B Mowing regimes.
During nesting
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3E Livestock grazing. Especially of woodland edges and through
forests
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3I Conversion of native forest to short-rotation
crop trees (pine, sycamore,
cottonwood, etc.)
3M Timber harvest.
Lack of timber harvest
3O Reforestation
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain).
Prey contamination
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes
CLASS AVES
Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N E G3 S1B G3 S1
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data show decreases survey-wide but
Comment were not significant (Sauer et al. 2004). Partners in Flight North American
Landbird
Conservation Plan gives population estimate of 250,000 in the U.S.
and Canada (see Rich
et al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Species has declined
substantially in the past 35 years. The
atlas survey
Comment yielded only one probable record in priority
blocks surveyed (Palmer-Ball
1996).
Habitat / The species is a
habitat specialist (NatureServe 2004).
In Kentucky, it is a
Life History breeding bird that
formerly inhabited a variety of early successional habitats,
including old fields
and pastures, young pine plantations, and regenerating clear-
cuts (Palmer-Ball
1996). Mengel (1965) described the
species as having rather
rigid habitat
requirements, inhabiting an area only if it possessed the right
combination of
conditions: preferably (but not always) a hillside, some bare
ground, some native
grasses and forbs, patches of blackberry briars, and
scattered small
trees. Although the presence of pines was
not essential, red
cedars and other
evergreens were frequently associated with such habitats. In
the young pine
plantations where the species was once found, the trees ranged
from 1 to 10 feet in
height, and ground cover included a mixture of grasses,
forbs, and patches
of bare ground. NatureServe (2004)
describes the species as
requiring a
well-developed grass and herb layer with limited shrub and
hardwood midstory
components. The species is able to
colonize recent
clearcuts and early seral
stages of old field succession but such habitat remains
suitable only for a
short time.
Key Habitat condition is
POOR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Only known
current nesting population is on Fort Campbell Military
Reservation, Trigg
County (fair); subject to military maneuvers and burning.
Guilds savanna/
shrub-scrub.
CLASS AVES
Bachman's Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis
Statewide Bachman'sSparrow.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3I Conversion of native forest to short-rotation
crop trees (pine, sycamore,
cottonwood,
etc.). Conversion to short-rotation
pines (planted too densely)
3M Timber harvest.
Long-term rotation incompatible
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management. Negative impacts by fire
suppression
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of early successional habitat
CLASS AVES
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS:LT, T G4 S2B,S G4 S2
PDL 2S3N
G-Trend Increasing
G-Trend Compared to 1974,
the number of occupied breeding areas in the lower 48
Comment States has increased by 462 percent, and since
1990, there has been a 47 percent
increase.
The species is doubling its breeding population every 6-7 years since
the late 1970's
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register 1995). Partners
in Flight North
American Landbird Conservation Plan gives population estimate
of 330,000 in the U.S. and Canada (see Rich et
al. 2004 for accuracy and
precision ratings).
S-Trend Increasing
S-Trend Numbers of nesting
pairs has increased from 0 in early 1980's to 40 known
Comment nesting pairs in 2003 (Vorisek 2003).
Habitat / This is a resident
and wintering bird that utilizes forested floodplains,
Life History bottomland
hardwoods, bald cypress wetlands, and riparian forests along large
rivers and
reservoirs. Breeding season requirements
include adequate nest site
and food
availability. Utilizes similar habitat
during winter where food
availability and winter
roost sites are important.
Key Habitat condition ranges from FAIR (forested
wetlands) to GOOD (reservoirs).
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Wetland forests
along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers (fair)
2. Land Between the
Lakes National Recreation Area (good)
3. Ballard and
Sloughs Wildlife Management Areas (good)
4. Winter roosts at
Turner Lake Ballard Wildlife Management Area and Duncan
Lake/Bay at Land
Between the Lakes (good)
Guilds forested wetland, running water, standing water.
Statewide BaldEagle.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Bald Eagle Haliaeetus
leucocephalus
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal
(Agriculture/development). Riparian
corridor
development
2G Water level fluctuations
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Biological/ consumptive uses
5L Parasitism and disease. West Nile virus, possible Avian vacuolar
myelinopathy (AVM)
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6C Powerlines
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
At
nest and roost sites
6E Illegal killing
6G Stochastic events
(droughts, unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding
etc.). Nest loss during storms, decrease food
sources during floods, etc.
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development. Riparian corridor development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3M Timber harvest
3N Removal of dead trees
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain).
Heavy metals,
poisoning (direct and indirect)
CLASS AVES
Bank Swallow Riparia riparia
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G5 S3B G5 S3
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data show nonsignificant decreases in the
Comment eastern and western regions and increases in
the central Breeding Bird Survey
region for 1966-2003
(Sauer et al. 2004).
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Numbers have most
likely decreased during the last century (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Comment
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird that is a colonial nester and uses natural riverbanks for
Life History nest burrows. Gravel pits have been colonized in recent
years (Palmer-Ball
1996).
Key Habitat condition ranges from FAIR (gravel pits)
to POOR (riverbanks).
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1) Banks of
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers (poor).
Guilds running water.
Statewide BankSwallow.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2B Gravel/sand removal or quarrying (e.g., mineral
excavation)
2E Stream channelization/ditching
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
Of
colonies
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3G Shoreline development
3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats. Nesting at
gravel pits
CLASS AVES
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G5 S3 G5 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Population declines
have been evident in the Midwest and Northeast U.S. and
Comment have been reported in several other areas
(NatureServe 2004).
S-Trend Increasing
S-Trend Observations of
breeding pairs has increased over the last few years.
Comment
Habitat / This is a resident
bird that inhabits a variety of semi-open and open habitats.
Life History Mengel (1965)
considered them to be most frequently found in farm country,
and it is likely
that rural farmland continues to harbor a persistent breeding
population. Today these owls are also reported regularly
from older residential
areas of cities and
towns, where large shade trees provide nest sites. Small
numbers are also
reported occasionally from larger cities (Palmer-Ball 1996) and
recently young birds have been documented from
grain silos. The species
requires large tree
cavities and old structures for nesting.
Key Habitat condition
throughout Kentucky is UNKNOWN for this species.
Habitat
No key habitat to identify;
the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds grassland/agricultural,
savanna/ shrub-scrub, urban/suburban.
Statewide BarnOwl.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Barn Owl Tyto alba
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. For nest sites
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. Nest site
availability
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
Of
nest sites (i.e.,
silos, buildings, etc.)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3N Removal of dead trees
3Q Invasive/exotic plants (including fescue). Fescue
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes
3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats. Abandoned
building and other structures for nesting
CLASS AVES
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS S G5 S2S3B G5 S2
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data from 1966-2003 indicate significant
Comment survey wide declines averaging 2.9 percent per year
(Sauer et al. 2004).
Partners in Flight
North American Landbird Conservation Plan gives population
estimate of 1,100,000 in the U.S. and Canada
(see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy
and precision
ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird found in large tracts of early successional habitat
Life History dominated by
deciduous shrubs and small trees. All
such sites represent altered
habitats that have been cleared and are in
early stages of reforestation (Palmer-
Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is generally GOOD (reclaimed
mines), although the habitats
Habitat are altered from their original composition.
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Muhlenburg County
(good)--Peabody Wildlife Management Area and the
Wendell H. Ford
Regional Training Center.
Guilds savanna/ shrub-scrub.
Statewide Bell'sVireo.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Bell's Vireo Vireo bellii
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining.
Remining of reclaimed mine lands
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes
CLASS AVES
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G5 S3B G5 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data reveal that the species has been
Comment declining in parts of the U.S. for some
time. Populations in the central and
eastern parts of the
range are smaller than they were in the past.
Eight states
(Wisconsin,
Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North
Carolina, and South
Carolina) reported declines between the 1950s and the
1980s from rare or
local breeders (or "common" in the case of North Carolina)
to near or certain extirpation. During the period of 1965 to 1979 severe
declines
occurred in Eastern and Central regions while
the West was stable. In the
1980's the decline
in the central states subsided, while the population in the
eastern states
continued to decline to the point that Breeding Bird Survey data
was no longer
reliable for use in trend analysis (NatureServe 2004). Partners in
Flight North
American Landbird Conservation Plan gives Global population
estimate of
6,000,000 (see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data for the period 1966-2003 show
Comment declines of 9.1% per year (Sauer et al.
2004). Kentucky Breeding Bird Atlas
resulted in
confirmed nesting in 7 priority blocks (Palmer-Ball 1996). Partners
in Flight estimates
a population of 1,800 individuals (see Rosenberg 2004 for
assumptions);
however, recent studies documented only one breeding pair and a
few unpaired males in the state (Ritchison and
Hodge 2003).
Habitat / Although this
species can occur year round, recent observations are limited to
Life History the breeding
season. Bewick's Wrens are encountered
in a variety of semi-open
habitats. Although evidence suggests that the species formerly
inhabited
natural forest
openings, it is primarily a bird of altered habitats today. These
wrens are most
conspicuous in rural farmland and settlement, but small
numbers also inhabit
suburban yards of towns, brushy forest margins, and
forest clear-cuts
(Palmer-Ball 1996). The most recent
nesting record came from
a pair utilizing a
grill in Scott County (Ritchison and Hodge 2003). Although
suitable habitat
seems to persist, it is unknown why the species continues to
decline. The Appalachian subspecies has most likely
been extirpated from the
state.
CLASS AVES
Bewick's Wren Thryomanes bewickii
Key Habitat condition appears FAIR, except for
Appalachian subspecies where
Habitat habitat is likely POOR.
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat in the
western and central
part of the state.
Guilds savanna/ shrub-scrub.
Statewide Bewick'sWren.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. Competition from
House Wren, Starlings, House Sparrows,
Carolina Wrens, and Song
Sparrows are all
potential competitors
5F Low population densities
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining.
Valley fills, reclaiming to grasses
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Lack of early successional forest
CLASS AVES
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N X G4 SXB,S G4 S1
ZN
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Decline is virtually
range-wide, though greater in the U.S. than in Canada
Comment (NatureServe 2004).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / Transient bird that
primarily uses reservoir habitat. Will also use larger lakes
Life History and rivers and
occasionally shallow water wetlands.
Key Habitat conditions
are POOR (shallow water wetlands), FAIR (larger lakes and
Habitat rivers), and GOOD (reservoir habitat).
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat statewide.
Guilds running water,
standing water.
Statewide BlackTern.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Black Tern Chlidonias niger
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including fertilizers/animal
waste, herbicides,
4F Urban runoff
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion to by
draining of wetlands
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3Q Invasive/exotic plants (including fescue). Potentially by purple loosestrife
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Wetlands advanced successional
stages, and poor
habitat
CLASS AVES
Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N T G5 S1S2B G5 S1
G-Trend Stable
G-Trend North American Breeding
Bird Survey data indicate an increase of 1.0 percent
Comment annually survey-wide from 1966-2003 Sauer et al.
2004). Partners in Flight
North American
Landbird Conservation Plan gives population estimate of
5,900,000 in the U.S.
and Canada (see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy and
precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird that occurs in deciduous forests in the Cumberland
Life History Mountains,
especially within the highest elevations (2,800-3,800 feet) of Black
Mountain in Harlan
County. They are most numerous in fairly
mature forest
of
maple-beech-basswood associations on the mountain (Palmer-Ball 1996). Its
habitat in Kentucky is subject to mining and
other habitat alterations.
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Deciduous forests
of Black Mountain in Harlan County (fair).
Guilds Cumberland highland forest.
Statewide BlackburnianWarbler.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining
3M Timber harvest
CLASS AVES
Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax
nycticorax
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N T G5 S1S2B G5 S1
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Kushlan et al.
(2002) lists the species as having apparent population declines.
Comment
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Heronry surveys in
2004 showed declines in active nests of as much as 50% or
Comment more at some sites (Palmer-Ball and Ciuzio
2005). The survey estimated 196
breeding pairs
occurred at known heronries throughout the state.
Habitat / Breeding bird that
primarily uses reservoir habitat (good), but will also use fish
Life History hatcheries as well
as larger lakes and rivers (fair) and occasionally shallow water
wetlands (poor).
Key Habitat conditions are POOR (shallow water
wetlands), FAIR (larger lakes and
Habitat rivers), and GOOD (reservoirs).
Key Habitat
Locations (and their conditions):
1. Islands on the
north end of Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake (fair)
2. scattered localities
throughout Louisville near Preston Highway (poor) and
Lexington (unknown)
Guilds running water, standing water, urban/suburban.
Statewide Black-crownedNight-heron.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax
nycticorax
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Biological/ consumptive uses
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. sites for nesting
colonies
5L Parasitism and disease. Potential for parasitism from Eustrongilides
spp.
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites).
Human disturbance at
rookeries and foraging areas
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
4F Urban runoff
Siltation and increased turbidity
1B Agriculture
1D Urbanization/Development General Construction
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3M Timber harvest
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
CLASS Aves
Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus
Federal Heritage
GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS N G5 SAB G5 N
G-Trend Increasing
G-Trend Breeding Bird Surveys show a significant increase of 3.04%
survey-wide for the
Comment period 1966-2007 with a relative abundance of 1.91
individuals per route (Sauer
et al. 2008).
S-Trend Stable
S-Trend Black-necked stilts first nested in Kentucky in 1993. Since that time, they have
Comment nested sporadically in far western Kentucky when proper
habitat conditions are
present (Palmer-Ball 2003)
Habitat
/ Black-necked
stilts generally nest in flooded agricultural fields along the
Life Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in western Kentucky. The sporadic nature of this
History flooding means that habitat may not be available in all
years (Palmer-Ball personal
communication).
Key Habitat condition throughout Kentucky is POOR for this
species.
Habitat
No key habitat to identify: the species will use
appropriate habitat in western KY.
Guilds standing
water.
Statewide
Black-neckedStilt.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Aquatic
habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Biological/
consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
Siltation
and increased turbidity
1B Agriculture. plowing
of nesting areas
CLASS Aves
Black-throated Green
Warbler Dendroica virens
Federal Heritage
GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4B G5 S4
G-Trend Stable
G-Trend The Breeding Bird Survey shows a significant increase of
1.2% survey-wide
Comment (USA and Canada) for the period 1980-2007. Partners in Flight estimates a
population of 9,600,000 individuals (see Rosenberg 2004 for
assumptions).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Only a limited number of Breeding Bird Survey routes exist
in the southeast part
Comment of the state; thus, the species is detected only on 5
routes. Analysis of these
routes show a nonsignificant increase of 5.4% per year for
the period 1966-2007
with an average of 0.95 individuals per route (Sauer et al.
2008) . Partners in
Flight estimates a population of 24,000 individuals (see
Rosenberg 2004 for
assumptions).
Habitat
/ Black-throated
Green Warblers are typically found in association with hemlock
Life stands, although they are found occasionally in deciduous
or mixed pine-
History hardwood forests.
They are most numerous in fairly mature forest, but will also
use regenerating second-growth forests and forest edges
(Palmer-Ball).
Key Habitat
condition in eastern Kentucky range is FAIR.
Habitat
The species will use appropriate habitat in the Cumberland
Plateau and
Mountains.
Guilds Cumberland highland forest, upland forest.
Statewide
Black_throated_Green_Warbler.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/
consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
5Q Declining prey base.
From insecticides
Miscellaneous
Mortality Factors
6G Stochastic events (droughts, unusual weather, pine beetle
damage, flooding
etc.). Potential
loss of habitat due to hemlock woolly adelgid infestation.
Terrestrial
habitat degradation
3G Shoreline development.
Riparian corridor removal/development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining. Loss
of forest habitat from mining
3M Timber harvest
3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation. Forest fragmentation
CLASS AVES
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4S5B G5 S4
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data show a non-significant increasing
Comment trend survey-wide of 0.6% during the period
1966-2003 (Sauer et al. 2004).
Partners in Flight
North American Landbird Conservation Plan gives population
estimate of 390,000 in the U.S. and Canada
(see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy
and precision
ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Species encountered
infrequently on Kentucky Breeding Bird Survey routes.
Comment The average number of individuals per Breeding
Bird Survey route for the
period 1966-2003 was
1.07. In part due to small sample sizes,
trend analysis
of these data does
not reveal statistically significant results (Palmer-Ball 1996,
Sauer et al.
2004). Partners in Flight estimates a
population of 39,000
individuals (see
Rosenberg 2004 for assumptions).
Habitat / Blue-winged Warblers
are typically found in early successional habitats. They
Life History are most frequent in
low, moist areas, but they also can be found on drier
slopes. The species formerly used natural forest
openings and woodland
borders, which may
have been rather common because of fire and storm damage.
Today, altered situations, including
overgrown fields, reclaimed strip mines,
and regenerating
forest clear-cuts, provide most nesting habitat. This warbler
does not occupy
these areas unless a good scattering of small trees, shrubs, and
dense herbaceous
growth is present. In contrast, the
species is typically absent
if the ground cover is reduced by grazing or
shading from a closed tree canopy
(Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is
UNKNOWN overall in Kentucky, but is likely in FAIR
Habitat condition.
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds savanna/
shrub-scrub.
Statewide Blue-wingedWarbler.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Blue-winged Warbler Vermivora pinus
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5E Hybridization with closely related species. Hybridization with Golden-
winged Warbler
(although this threatens Golden-winged Warbler more than
it does the
Blue-winged Warbler)
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3E Livestock grazing. Especially in woods or along edges
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining.
Remining early successional habitat
3O Reforestation
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Loss of early successional habitat
CLASS AVES
Bobolink Dolichonyx
oryzivorus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G5 S2S3B G5 S2
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a significant population
Comment decline in North America in recent decades,
particularly in central North
America (Sauer and
Droege 1992, NatureServe 2004). Partners
in Flight North
American Landbird
Conservation Plan gives Global population estimate of
11,000,000 (see Rich
et al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend The species was
first documented nesting in Kentucky in 1969 and since then
Comment has been reported annually in scattered
localities in Central Kentucky. The
atlas survey yielded
5 records in priority blocks in Kentucky (Palmer-Ball 1996)
Habitat / During the breeding
season, Bobolinks occur in a variety of grassy habitats. In
Life History Kentucky, the
species is found entirely in artificial situations, including
hayfields, pastures,
and other unmowed or infrequently mowed fields of grasses
and forbs.
Very open situations seem to be favored, as is vegetation that is
neither especially
thick nor closely mowed or grazed (Palmer-Ball 1996). Such
habitat is
constantly threatened by mowing practices.
Key Habitat condition is
POOR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Bluegrass Region
of central Kentucky (fair).
Guilds grassland/agricultural.
Statewide Bobolink.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Bobolink Dolichonyx
oryzivorus
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. For nesting
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3Q Invasive/exotic plants (including fescue)
CLASS AVES
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N E G5 S1S2B G5 S1
,S4S5
N
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend It is difficult to
get an adequate assessment of population trends range-wide for
Comment this species because it shows up infrequently in
standard surveys such as
Breeding Bird Survey
(NatureServe 2004). Partners in Flight
North American
Landbird
Conservation Plan gives Global population estimates of 5,400,000
(see Rich et al.
2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Nesting populations
known from only 3 locations (Palmer-Ball 2003).
Comment
Habitat / This species winters
in a variety of forested and semi-open habitats, especially
Life History mature
woodlands. During the breeding season,
Brown Creepers occupy
permanently inundated
swamp forest dominated by bald cypress and water
tupelo where it
builds nests under exfoliating bark, especially of dead trees.
Although originally
thought to be restricted to permanently inundated swamp
forests, birds found
in Henderson and Union counties were in seasonally
inundated bottomland
forest and the margins of open water sloughs.
These
observations
indicate that breeding creepers may be more widespread than
formerly believed
(Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR (breeding and wintering) overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Cypress Creek
Swamp in Marshall County (fair)
2. Sloughs Wildlife
Management Area in Henderson County (good)
3. Axe Lake Swamp in
Ballard County (good)
Guilds forested wetland.
Statewide BrownCreeper.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Brown Creeper Certhia americana
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion to by
draining of wetland forests
3G Shoreline development. Riparian corridor development
3M Timber harvest.
Of bottomland forests
3N Removal of dead trees
3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation. Requires large blocks of habitat
CLASS AVES
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G4 SZN G4 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Species thought to
be in decline in the U.S. but statistical verification is lacking
Comment (Brown et al. 2001).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a transient
bird that uses shallow water wetlands, wet prairies, flooded
Life History agricultural fields,
and shoreline, mudflat, and sandbar habitat of lakes and rivers.
Key Habitat conditions
range from POOR (shallow water wetlands, wet prairies) to
Habitat FAIR (flooded agricultural fields, shoreline,
mudflat, and sandbar habitats of
larger lakes and
rivers).
Key Habitat
Locations (and their conditions):
1. Transient lakes
in Warren (good) and Christian (unknown) counties.
2. Shoreline of
Kentucky and Barkely lakes (good).
Extending summer pool to
Labor Day (proposed
by Tennessee Valley Authority) would leave the
shoreline unexposed
until after peak shorebird migration (Ritchison and Ranalli
2004).
Guilds Emergent and
shrub-dominated wetlands, grassland/agricultural, standing water.
Statewide Buff-breastedSandpiper.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites
subruficollis
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2G Water level fluctuations
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
At
feeding sites
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion to by
draining wetlands
3E Livestock grazing. Over-grazing, especially along wetlands
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of wetlands
CLASS AVES
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G5 S3B G5 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a
survey-wide decrease of
Comment 2.0 percent per year from 1966-2003, with a decrease
of 3.4 percent per year
from 1980-2003. Partners in Flight North American Landbird
Conservation
Plan gives
population estimate of 1,400,000 in the U.S. and Canada (see Rich et
al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend The atlas survey
yielded 4 records of Canada Warblers in priority blocks, and 1
Comment incidental observation was reported. Although no confirmed records were
obtained, the
presence of birds throughout the summer on both Cumberland and
Black mountains represented probable evidence
of breeding (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird found in the higher elevations of the Cumberland
Life History Mountains which are
threatened by potential mining. This
species uses mesic
forests with a dense
understory and ground cover (Palmer-Ball 1996; C. Hunter,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers.
comm.). On Cumberland Mountain, it is
most often found in
association with rhododendron. On the
summit of Black
Mountain, birds are
found in the understory of mature deciduous forest as well
as younger, cut-over
forest and forest edge (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Black and Cumberland
Mountains in Harlan and Bell Counties (good)
Guilds Cumberland highland forest.
Statewide CanadaWarbler.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Canada Warbler Wilsonia canadensis
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining.
Valley fills
3M Timber harvest.
Logging for mining and/or timber harvesting, which
disrupts contiguous
breeding habitat
3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation
CLASS AVES
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G4 S4S5B G4 S4
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a significant survey-wide
Comment population decline in North America from
1966-2003 of 4.2%. The decline has
been most pronounced
in the core of the breeding range (Robbins et al. 1992).
Partners in Flight
North American Landbird Conservation Plan gives population
estimate of 560,000 in the U.S. and Canada
(see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy
and precision ratings).
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Cerulean Warblers
are not adequately surveyed by Kentucky Breeding Bird
Comment Survey surveys.
The average number of individuals per Breeding Bird Survey
route for the periods
1966-91 and 1982-91 was 0.95 and 1.23, respectively
(Palmer-Ball
1996). Trend analysis shows a
nonsignificant decrease of 6.1%
per year for the
period 1966-2003 (Sauer et al. 2004).
Partners in Flight
estimates a
population of 89,000 individuals (see Rosenberg 2004 for
assumptions).
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird that uses mature deciduous forests where it forages high
Life History in the canopy. The species is encountered most frequently in
the western part
of the state in mesic
situations, especially bottomland forest.
The species will
also utilize,
especially in the east, mesophytic and subxeric forests of slopes
(Palmer-Ball
1996). The species is often associated
with small canopy gaps
such as along
ridges, river corridors, and narrow roads.
In the Morehead Ranger
District, the species seems to persist in
areas where the crowns of trees have
been damaged by ice
storms. While this warbler is
occasionally found in
relatively isolated
tracts of suitable habitat, it occurs with much greater
regularity in
extensively forested areas (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition
ranges from POOR (bottomland forest) to GOOD (upland
Habitat forests) overall in Kentucky.
Species will use
appropriate habitat statewide as long as large forested tracts are
available with some canopy gaps.
Guilds Cumberland highland forest, forested wetland,
upland forest.
Statewide CeruleanWarbler.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea
Conservation Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. Potential
competition with
native species
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development. Riparian corridor development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3K Surface mining.
Logging for mining
3M Timber harvest.
Especially species preferred by Cerulean Warbler
3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation. Needs large tracts of forest
CLASS Aves
Chuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolinensis
Federal Heritage
GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4S5B G5 S4
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend Breeding Bird Surveys show a significant decrease of 1.7%
survey-wide for the
Comment period 1966-2007 with a relative abundance of 1.35
individuals per route (Sauer
et al. 2008).
Partners in Flight estimates a population of 15,000,000 individuals
(see Rosenberg 2004 for assumptions).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Breeding Bird Surveys in Kentucky show a significant
decrease of 2.6% for the
Comment period 1980-2007 (Sauer et al. 2008). Partners in Flight estimates a population of
310,400 individuals
(see Rosenberg 2004 for assumptions).
Habitat
/ Chuck-will's-widows
are found in semi-open and open habitats with scattered
Life tracts of forest.
They are usually absent in extensively forested areas. Found
History more commonly in drier forests with an open mid- and
understory, especially in
oak and hickory forests with scattered cedars or introduced
pines (Palmer-Ball
1996)..
Key Habitat conditions in Kentucky are generally FAIR
Habitat
Key Habitat Locations (and their condition):
1. Will use appropriate habitat mostly west of the
Cumberland Plateau.
Guilds grassland/agricultural, savanna/ shrub-scrub, upland
forest.
Statewide
Chuck_Wills_Widow.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/
consumptive uses
5Q Declining prey base.
Pesticide use
Miscellaneous
Mortality Factors
6A Traffic/road kills
Terrestrial
habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain).
Pesticides
CLASS AVES
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS T G5 S1S2B G5 S1
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend Population estimate
and trend information due pending Version 2 of the
Comment Waterbird Plan (Kushlan et al. 2002).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird that uses marshes and emergent wetlands.
Life History
Key Habitat conditions
in Kentucky are POOR overall.
Habitat
Key Habitat Locations
(and their conditions):
1. Homestead unit of
Peabody Wildlife Management Area
2. Paradise Steam
Plant in Muhlenberg County
3. Sauerheber unit
of Sloughs Wildlife Management Area
All in good
condition
Guilds Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands,
grassland/agricultural, standing water.
Statewide CommonMoorhen.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Conversion to by
draining of wetlands
3G Shoreline development
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3Q Invasive/exotic plants (including fescue). Potentially by phragmites
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of wetlands
CLASS AVES
Common Raven Corvus corax
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N T G5 S1S2 G5 S1
G-Trend Increasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a significant population
Comment increase in North America between 1966 and 2003
(Sauer et al. 2004). Partners
in Flight North
American Landbird Conservation Plan gives Global population
estimate of
16,000,000 (see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend The species is not
encountered on Breeding Bird Survey routes.
Population is
Comment likely stable to increasing, although number of
nesting pairs is low.
Habitat / Although ravens have
adapted to human presence in some parts of their range,
Life History in Kentucky they are
still birds of remote areas. These
resident birds are rarely
seen away from
extensively forested portions of the mountains, where they
usually can be found
along or near the ridge crests. Although
ravens nest and
loaf along
clifflines and exposed rock outcrops, they are most frequently seen
flying along the
ridges or soaring overhead. The
abundance of suitable nest sites
in eastern Kentucky indicates that other
factors are responsible for the
species’s overall
scarcity (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Cumberland Gap
National Historic Park (good)
2. Cumberland,
Black, and Pine Mountain (fair)
3. Natural Bridge
State Park (good condition)
Guilds caves, rock shelters, and clifflines, Cumberland
highland forest, upland forest.
Statewide CommonRaven.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Common Raven Corvus corax
Conservation
Issues
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6E Illegal killing
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3M Timber harvest.
Logging for mining and timber harvest along clifflines
3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats. Clifflines
for nesting
CLASS AVES
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 SZN G5 S3
G-Trend Increasing
G-Trend Kushlan et al.
(2002) lists the species as having an apparent population increase
Comment and gives a population estimate of 300,000
breeders.
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / This is a transient
bird that uses shallow water wetlands, flooded agricultural
Life History fields, and
shoreline, mudflat, and sandbar habitat of lakes and rivers.
Key Habitat conditions
are POOR (shallow water wetlands) and FAIR (flooded
Habitat agricultural fields, shoreline, mudflat, and
sandbar habitats of lakes and rivers).
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds running water,
standing water.
Statewide CommonTern.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc). Draining
of wetlands for
agriculture
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development. Along reservoirs, lakes, and rivers
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of wetlands
CLASS AVES
Dickcissel Spiza americana
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S4S5B G5 S4
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a significant population
Comment decline in North America from 1966-2003 of 1.2%,
although Sauer et al. (2004)
recommends that such
data be viewed with some skepticism.
Partners in Flight
North American
Landbird Conservation Plan gives population estimate of
22,000,000 in the
U.S.and Canada (see Rich et al. 2004 for accuracy and
precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Dickcissels are
reported regularly on only about half of Kentucky's Breeding
Comment Bird Survey routes. Trend analysis yields a nonsignificant
decrease of 1.7% per
year for the period 1966-2003 and a
nonsignificant increase of 3.0% per year
for the period
1980-2003. It is likely that natural
variability in the nesting
population is
responsible for these trends (Palmer-Ball 1996). The average
number of
individuals recorded per Breeding Bird Survey route for 1966-2003
was 4.35 (Sauer et
al. 2004). Partners in Flight estimates
a population of
110,000 individuals
(see Rosenberg 2004 for assumptions).
Habitat / Dickcissels are a
Breeding bird that inhabits open habitats with an abundance of
Life History low herbaceous
vegetation. Today, natural habitats
affording this type of
cover have been
virtually eliminated, and Dickcissels occur only in artificially
created habitats;
the species is most frequently found in rural farmland, but it
also occurs in other
open situations, such as reclaimed strip mines, the
unmowed margins of
airports, and similarly idle land. Even
in areas where they
are fairly common,
Dickcissels typically are distributed irregularly. Loose
colonies are often
established in tracts of optimal habitat, while suitable habitat
in surrounding areas
goes unused, resulting in a very patchy distribution (Whitt
1969). Dickcissels sometimes inhabit grassy fields,
but they are most common
in habitats with an
abundance of forbs, such as fields of clover and alfalfa, as
well as well as
fields of small grains (especially wheat).
Within such areas,
territorial males
sing from scattered trees, power lines, and tall weed stems
(Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Ft. Campbell
Military Reservation (good)
2. Species will use
appropriate habitat west of Cumberland Plateau (fair) as
CLASS AVES
Dickcissel Spiza americana
well as reclaimed
mined habitat in the east (good)
Guilds grassland/agricultural.
Statewide Dickcissel.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. For nesting
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3O Reforestation
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain).
Poisoning on
wintering grounds
CLASS AVES
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 SZN G5 S4
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Brown et al. (2001)
lists the species as having been documented to be in decline.
Comment
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend
Comment
Habitat / Transient bird that
uses shallow water wetlands, flooded agricultural fields, and
Life History shoreline, mudflat,
and sandbar habitat of lakes and rivers.
Key Habitat conditions
are POOR (shallow water wetlands) and FAIR (flooded
Habitat agricultural fields, shoreline, mudflat, and
sandbar habitats of lakes and rivers).
Key Habitat
Locations (and their conditions):
1. Transient lakes
in Warren (good) and Christian (unknown) counties.
2. Shoreline of
Kentucky and Barkley lakes (good).
Extending summer pool to
Labor Day (proposed
by Tennessee Valley Authority) would leave the
shoreline unexposed
until after peak shorebird migration (Ritchison and Ranalli
2004).
3. Mudflats and
sandbar areas on Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi, and
Cumberland Rivers.
Guilds grassland/agricultural,
running water, standing water.
Statewide Dunlin.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2G Water level fluctuations. Alteration of natural drawdown cycle
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration . Loss of shallow water wetlands
2N Eutrophication (eg. of wetlands)
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking,
destruction/disturbance of nest sites).
At
feeding sites
Point and non-point source pollution
4E Agricultural runoff – including
fertilizers/animal waste, herbicides,
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc).
Converting wetlands
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development. Along rivers and reservoirs
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of wetlands
CLASS AVES
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora
chrysoptera
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N T G4 S2B G4 S2
G-Trend Unknown
G-Trend North American Breeding
Bird Survey data indicate a significant decline in the
Comment U.S. of 3.4% and an insignificant increase of
5.0% in Canada for the period
1966-2003 (Sauer et
al. 2004). Recent expansion has been to
the north and
west and still
continues. On the other hand, there has
been widespread decline
and even local
extinction from areas first colonized about a century ago
(NatureServe
2004). Partners in Flight North American
Landbird Conservation
Plan gives
population estimate of 210,000 in the U.S. and Canada (see Rich et
al. 2004 for
accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Kentucky’s small
nesting population has been poorly documented, making an
Comment assessment of trends difficult (Palmer-Ball
1996).
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird typically encountered in early successional habitats with
Life History a predominance of
shrubs or small trees. In addition, the
presence of a dense
layer of herbaceous
vegetation appears to be critical, and the species is not
found in areas where
the ground cover is grazed or the tree canopy is closed to
the point that weeds
and grasses are substantially reduced.
In Kentucky the
species is generally
a bird of drier slopes that have been cleared in the recent
past, including
reverting clear-cuts and old fields, reclaimed strip mines, and
utility
corridors. Natural fire or storm damage
may result in the creation of
suitable habitat,
and the bird also has been reported in such areas (Palmer-Ball
1996).
Key Habitat condition is
FAIR overall in Kentucky.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Reclaimed Surface
Mines of Bell, Harlan, and Whitley Counties (good) (L.
Patton, pers. comm.)
Guilds Cumberland highland forest, savanna/
shrub-scrub.
Statewide Golden-wingedWarbler.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Golden-winged Warbler Vermivora
chrysoptera
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5E Hybridization with closely related species. Hybridization with Blue-
winged Warbler
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland
3E Livestock grazing
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky. Deforestation on wintering grounds.
3K Surface mining.
Remining
3O Reforestation
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Of early successional habitat
CLASS AVES
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus
savannarum
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS N G5 S4B G5 S4
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American
Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a significant annual
Comment population decline of 3.9% per year in North
America between 1966 and 2003
(Sauer et al.
2004). Partners in Flight North American
Landbird Conservation
Plan gives
population estimate of 14,000,000 in the U.S. and Canada (see Rich
et al. 2004 for
accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend North American Breeding
Bird Survey data show a significant decrease of 6.5%
Comment per year for the period 1966-2003, but a
nonsignificant decrease of 1.9% per
year for the period
1980-2003. The average number of
individuals per Breeding
Bird Survey route for the period 1966-2003 was
2.49 (Sauer et al. 2004).
Partners in Flight
estimates a population of 84,000 individuals (see Rosenberg
2004 for
assumptions).
Habitat / The Grasshopper
Sparrow occurs in natural grasslands throughout parts of its
Life History range, but it is
restricted to altered situations in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, this
breeding species
inhabits grasslands that are dominated by relatively sparse or
short vegetation,
and they are typically absent if the vegetation is tall and thick.
Consequently, they are most numerous in
lightly grazed pastures, hayfields on
dry slopes and poor soil, reclaimed surface
mines, and other situations in which
vegetation is not profuse. Small numbers also occur in fallow row-crop
fields
where grassy
vegetation is beginning to recolonize bare soil (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Pasture and hayfield habitat are generally in
fair condition in that they are
subject to mowing
and grazing; reclaimed mine lands are in good condition since
soil conditions tend
to limit succession.
Key Habitat condition
ranges from FAIR (pasture and haylands) to GOOD
Habitat (reclaimed mines) overall in Kentucky.
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds grassland/agricultural.
Statewide GrasshopperSparrow.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus
savannarum
Conservation
Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species. Especially when overgrazed
5M Brood parasitism (Brown-headed Cowbird). Levels typically low
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual reuse
of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing. Light/moderate grazing beneficial, but
overgrazing is not
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3O Reforestation
3Q Invasive/exotic plants (including fescue)
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes
CLASS AVES
Great Egret Ardea alba
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N E G5 S1B G5 S1
G-Trend Increasing
G-Trend North American
population estimate: >180,000 breeding birds (Kushlan et al.
Comment 2002).
S-Trend Increasing
S-Trend State population
estimate: 147 breeding pairs (Palmer-Ball and Ciuzio 2004).
Comment
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird that primarily uses floodplain forests and bottomland
Life History hardwood forests,
but will also nest and feed in association with reservoir
habitat.
Key Habitat conditions are POOR (floodplain and bottomland
hardwood forests)
Habitat and GOOD (reservoirs).
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
Guilds Emergent and
shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland, running water,
standing water.
Statewide GreatEgret.pdf
Map
CLASS AVES
Great Egret Ardea alba
Conservation
Issues
Aquatic habitat degradation
2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development)
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Biological/ consumptive uses
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. on islands and
reservoirs
Miscellaneous Mortality Factors
6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites)
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3F Urban/residential development
3G Shoreline development. Reservoirs, lakes and rivers
3M Timber harvest
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals,
pesticides, herbicides, acid rain)
CLASS AVES
Greater Prairie-chicken Tympanuchus cupido
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
PS X G4 SX G4 N
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend North American Breeding
Bird Survey data shows nonsignificant survey-wide
Comment declines of 4.1% for the period 1966-2003 and
declines of 6.0% for the period
1980-2003 (Sauer et
al. 2004). Partners in Flight North
American Landbird
Conservation Plan
gives population estimate of 690,000 in the U.S. (see Rich et
al. 2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Currently extirpated
from Kentucky. Plans to examine efficacy
of
Comment reintroduction of species underway.
Habitat / Species prefers tall
grasslands (prairie), pastures, and hayfields (NatureServe
Life History 2004).
Key Habitat condition
throughout potential Kentucky range is FAIR.
Habitat
Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition):
1. Ft. Campbell Military
Reservation (good if current grassland management
practices upheld)
Guilds grassland/agricultural.
Statewide GreaterPrairie-chicken.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
Unknown factors/variables
7A Unknown
threats
CLASS Aves
Greater
Scaup Aythya marila
Federal Heritage
GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N N G5 S2S3N G5 S2
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend Populations of both scaup species have seen dramatic
declines in recent years.
Comment Breeding numbers of scaup have declined 35% from 6.4
million in 1980 to 4.2
million in 2009 (U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service 2009). Reasons for these declines
are still largely not understood.
S-Trend Decreasing
S-Trend Little data exists on wintering populations of scaup. Mid-winter waterfowl
Comment survey data indicates a 85% decline in the 10-year average
(USFWS unpublished
data)
Habitat
/ Scaup
are generally open water birds being found in large reservoirs and Rivers
Life statewide.
History
Key Habitat condition throughout Kentucky are GOOD for this
species.
Habitat
No key habitat to identify: the species will use
appropriate habitat statewide.
Guilds Large
rivers in current, Large rivers in slackwater.
Statewide
GreaterScaup.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Aquatic
habitat degradation
2E Stream channelization/ditching
2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration
Biological/
consumptive uses
5L Parasitism and disease
Terrestrial
habitat degradation
3G Shoreline development
3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain)
CLASS AVES
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N S G4 S3B G4 S3
G-Trend Decreasing
G-Trend One of the fastest
declining songbirds in North America. It
has declined
Comment significantly across range and can no longer be
considered common anywhere
(NatureServe
2004). North American Breeding Bird
Survey data indicate a large
and statistically significant decline of 8.6%
per year survey-wide for the period
1966-2003 (Sauer et al. 2004). Partners in Flight North American Landbird
Conservation Plan
gives population estimate of 79,000 in the U.S. and Canada
(see Rich et al.
2004 for accuracy and precision ratings).
S-Trend Unknown
S-Trend Numbers of birds in
Kentucky fluctuate from year to year, perhaps in response
Comment to habitat availability. The atlas survey yielded 24 records of
Henslow’s
Sparrows in priority
blocks, and 10 incidental observations were reported
(Palmer-Ball
1996). Partners in Flight estimates a
population of 2,600
individuals (see
Rosenberg 2004 for assumptions).
Habitat / This is a breeding
bird typically found in open habitats dominated by thick,
Life History grassy
vegetation. The species favors areas
that have been neglected for a year
or two and have
accumulated a layer of dead plant material at the base of the
current year’s
growth. The lack of disturbance also
allows for the presence of
dead week stalks,
young saplings, and briars, which are used as singing perches
(Wiley and Croft
1964 in Palmer-Ball 1996). Henslow’s
Sparrows may have
occurred at least
locally in the native prairies of the East Gulf Coastal Plain and
the Highland Rim,
but documentation of their presence in such habitat is absent.
Today native grasslands have been virtually
eliminated, and the species occurs
entirely in altered
situations. Although fallow fields and pastures
provide most
of the habitat used
by Henslow’s Sparrows in Kentucky, the species is also
found on reclaimed
surface mines, the margins of airfields, and other unmowed
grassy
habitats. Hayfields of tall thick
grasses like orchard grass and timothy
are also used,
although mowing results in abandonment (Palmer-Ball 1996).
Key Habitat condition
throughout Kentucky range is FAIR.
Habitat
No key habitat to
identify; the species will use appropriate habitat range wide.
CLASS AVES
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii
Guilds grassland/agricultural.
Statewide Henslow'sSparrow.pdf
Map
Conservation Issues
Biological/ consumptive uses
5B Predation from native species
5K Lack of suitable habitat for spawning, nesting,
or breeding. For nesting
Terrestrial habitat degradation
3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc)
3B Mowing regimes.
Mowing regimes for haying operations (too early
destroys
nests/eggs/nestlings and too frequent removes litter buildup
preferred by
species)
3C Lack of newly abandoned farmland. Lack of newly abandoned farmland
(stage before
saplings and shrubs enter)
3D Switch to cleaner agricultural practices
3E Livestock grazing. >10 head of cattle per 20 acres is too
intense
3F Urban/residential development
3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky
3O Reforestation
3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation. Habitat Fragmentation: rarely
found on tracts
<100 acres
3S Fire suppression/fire regime management. Short-term rotation removes
litter buildup
preferred by species
3T Suppression of disturbance regimes
CLASS AVES
Hooded Merganser Lophodytes
cucullatus
Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank
Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified)
N T G5 S1S2B G5 S1
,S3S4
N
G-Trend Stable
G-Trend NatureServe 2004
Comment
S-Trend Unknown