Pacific Shorebird Migration Project Webpage hosted by the Western Ecological Research Center
| Pacific Shorebird Migration Project Determining Migratory Connectivity and Routes for Distinct Populations |
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| One group of shorebirds of particular conservation concern throughout the Pacific Basin includes the godwits and curlews, collectively
called the Numeniini. This tribe of shorebirds consists of some of the largest, most charismatic, and far-ranging of the world's shorebirds. Their
annual cycles take them between hemispheres, their migratory flights span continents, and their appearance, behavior, and song have endeared them
to humans for millennia. Yet relatively little is known about how individuals of these species, and shorebirds in general, use their global landscape
- crucial knowledge for developing and implementing effective conservation strategies.
PRBO Conservation Science (PRBO), the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS)Alaska Science Center, and collaborators in various countries received funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for an international, collaborative study using the latest remote sensing technology to fill key information gaps on how the Numeniini navigate within and across continents. During 2007-2008, four species (Bar-tailed Godwit, Hudsonian Godwit, Bristle-thighed Curlew, and Long-billed Curlews) - representative of the various migration strategies exhibited by the Numeniini - will be fitted with satellite telemetry tags and followed throughout their annual migration cycles throughout the Pacific Basin. For each species, we expect to learn the timing and routes of migration, temporal and spatial use of stopover and staging sites, and habitat needs. This information will guide effective conservation efforts for each species and also help scientists and conservation groups better understand the effects of global-scale threats to shorebirds, including habitat destruction, climate change, and the spread of infectious diseases. This webpage is being hosted for the project by the USGS Western Ecological Research Center. |
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.werc.usgs.gov/shorebirds/index.html
Page Contact Information: william_perry@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: March 16, 2007