Why is the Rusty Blackbird endangered?

How does the rusty blackbird respond to changes in hydrology?

On its wintering sites, the Rusty Blackbird appears to be sensitive to changes in surface hydrology caused by activities that result in wetland drainage, stream diversion and water control, and displacement of groundwater (Greenberg et al. 2011).

Why do Rusty blackbirds form mixed groups?

The formation of mixed groups is believed to reduce the risk of predation to individual birds (Morse 1977). No studies concerning the size of the home range and territory of the Rusty Blackbird have been conducted in Canada.

Is there a rusty blackbird in Quebec?

Maps illustrating the range of the Rusty Blackbird in Quebec in the first (1985 to 1990) and second (2010 to 2015) breeding bird atlas periods. Figure 10. Comparison of the range of the Rusty Blackbird in the Maritimes between the first (1985-1990) and second (2010-2015) breeding bird atlas periods.

How does wetland acidification affect the rusty blackbird?

The eastern portion of the Rusty Blackbird’s range has the potential to be most affected by wetland acidification (Schindler 1988, Greenberg and Droege 1999), but the extent to which wetland acidification may impact Rusty Blackbird remains unknown. Increases in acidity can cause changes to the general wetland ecology.

How did the rusty blackbird’s habitat change over time?

However, there were indeed wide-scale changes in habitats across the Rusty Blackbird breeding range from 1700-1900 due to large-scale commercial beaver trapping activities by Europeans that hunted beavers nearly to extinction across much of their range (Naiman et al. 1988; Humphries and Winemiller 2009).

Is there Mercury in the Diet of Rusty blackbirds?

Studies conducted in several parts of the Rusty Blackbird’s range have found high mercury concentrations in the diet, due to the species’ habit of feeding in acidic wetlands where mercury is readily converted to methylmercury, which is the more toxic form (Evers et al. 2005; Edmonds et al. 2010; Greenberg and Matsuoka 2010).

What is the provincial bird of Quebec?

The snowy owl is the provincial bird of Quebec. This is a list of bird species confirmed in the Canadian province of Quebec.

What is the management objective for the rusty blackbird?

The management objective for Rusty Blackbird is twofold. First to stop the decline, and then maintain the population at its 2014 level, and second to increase the population, resulting in a 10 year sustained increase in the population of Rusty Blackbird in Canada.

Does forest clearing affect wintering habitat for Rusty blackbirds?

Since Rusty Blackbirds are associated with forested wetlands throughout their wintering range, forest clearing can affect wintering habitat availability. However, Twedt and Wilson (2007) found that use of closed-canopy, second-growth bottomland forests by wintering Rusty Blackbirds was enhanced by silvicultural thinning.

Will birds return to old habitats?

More extinctions are certain, as man drives on to conquer the remotest parts of the globe, and populations grow and climate continues to change. But other species birds will return to old habitats, often with man’s help.

Do birds with high mercury levels live in scadian forests?

Blood and tissue samples were collected from 579 rusty blackbirds (Edmonds). Total mercury concentrations (THg) were measured were found to be higher in birds living in the Scadian forests. Also, mercury levels were higher in birds in their the breeding grounds versus birds in their wintering grounds.

What do Rusty blackbirds eat?

Rusty blackbirds typically feed on the ground and flip over leaves in order to find insects. They also eat a large number of snails and other mollusks (On the Decline). These birds are manly known for their intake of invertebrates (Newell) and these include both land and aquatic invertebrates.

What do you know about the Blackbird?

Read on to learn about the Blackbird. Like their name suggests, these birds normally have predominantly black plumage, or feathers. Some also have areas with red, white, yellow, and more. With over 26 different species in the family, there is plenty of variation between individuals. In more colorful species, females are usually duller than males.

Which bird will become Canada’s national bird?

Of all the birds voted on, the common murre ( Uria aalge) received the lowest number of votes, with just 21 ballots cast in its favor for the honor of becoming Canada’s national bird. After the public voting closed, an expert panel of ornithologists, conservationists, and other experts convened to discuss the merits of each finalist.

Is it legal to hunt birds of prey in Quebec?

There are 27 birds of prey in Quebec, all of which are protected by provincial law: It is illegal to hunt or own a raptor without a permit. Obviously, not all of them inhabit suburban areas.

Is the gray jay Canada’s national bird?

An Act of Parliament would be necessary to officially recognize the gray jay as Canada’s national bird. While the gray jay may not be officially recognized as Canada’s national bird, it has had its name changed to reflect its regional significance.

Who are the authors of the rusty blackbird study?

Matsuoka, S. M., D. Shaw, P. H. Sinclair, J. A. Johnson, R. M. Corcoran, N. C. Dau, P. M. Meyers, and N. A. Rojek. 2010b. Nesting ecology of the Rusty Blackbird in Alaska and Canada.

Who is responsible for the Rusty Blackbird Management Plan?

The Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency is the competent minister under SARA for the Rusty Blackbird and has prepared this management plan as per section 65 of SARA.

What can we do to protect Rusty Blackbird?

Encourage and carry out collaborations pertaining to management and conservation-related activities throughout Rusty Blackbird’s range. This management plan also proposes specific conservation measures, guided by these broad strategies, to achieve the management objective. 1. COSEWIC

What is the Newfoundland and Labrador Rusty Blackbird Management Plan?

In 2011, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released a provincial Rusty Blackbird Management Plan that identified actions to help conserve Rusty Blackbird throughout Newfoundland and Labrador (NLWD 2011).