The Kirtland’s Warbler: A Conservation Success Story, So Far

520 Virginia Drive,Fort Washington PA 19034

19 November, 2021

Description

The Kirtland’s Warbler was once the most endangered songbird in North America. The Kirtland’s Warbler was once the most endangered songbird in North America and was among the first species to be listed under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. The warbler has been the target of intense research and conservation efforts primarily on its Michigan breeding grounds. Here, management of the warbler’s Jack Pine breeding habitat and control of cowbird parasitism of the warbler’s nests contributed to its recovery. Much of the success of the recovery effort is attributable to the remarkable cooperation and efforts of concerned citizens, state and federal agencies as well as private organizations. Dr. Wunderle’s talk reviews the history of the imperiled warbler’s recovery and the cooperative efforts of various individuals and organizations which contributed to the successful recovery. In recognition of this success, the warbler was recently removed from the federal endangered species list; however, events on the warbler’s wintering grounds and changing climate could compromise breeding ground conservation efforts. Despite concerns for future challenges, if the cooperative efforts of diverse cooperators to protect the warbler endures, we can be optimistic for the future of this species. About Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr. Emeritus Research Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service Dr. Wunderle has over 40 years of experience teaching and conducting research throughout the Caribbean where he focuses on avian ecology and conservation, while helping to build local conservation capacity. He recently retired after 30 years with a U.S. Forest Service research group in Puerto Rico, but he still maintains ties with the University of Puerto Rico where he assists with the graduate program. His most recent research concentrates on the migrant Kirtland’s Warbler in the Bahamas where he and his collaborators have studied winter ecology and habitat needs of the threatened warbler while advancing Bahamian conservation efforts by training local students. His research has resulted in numerous technical publications including co-authorship on recently published books including Natural History of The Bahamas and the Puerto Rico Breeding Bird Atlas. He is a Fellow of the American Ornithological Society and a recipient of its Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award and a founding member and former president of BirdsCaribbean and a former president of the Neotropical Ornithological Society. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of BirdsCaribbean and is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology.