An Updated Account of Wading Bird Foraging Behavior
Pimm S, Kelly J, Gawlik D, Kieckbusch D. 2003. An Updated Account of Wading Bird Foraging Behavior. Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. RES97-19. Everglades National Park/South Florida Natural Resources Center
Final Report publication. Historically, large flocks of wading birds were an iconic presence on the Everglades landscape. Over the course of millennia, these populations grew attuned to the seasonal cycles of flood and drought in the "River of Grass." The advent of the twentieth century, however, would bring unforeseen peril as plume hunters sent south Florida populations plummeting. Subsequent decades would bring additional stresses in the form of habitat loss, pollution, and the advent of artificial water management. It is estimated that the Everglades have lost nearly 90% of their wading birds, making these species critical bellwethers in our restoration efforts. This CESI-funded investigation used multi-year surveys to ascertain the relative abundance of wading birds remaining in Everglades National Park. Russell, Gareth J., Oron L. Bass, Jr., and Stuart L. Pimm. 2002. The effect of hydrological patterns and breeding-season flooding on the numbers and distribution of wading birds in Everglades National Park. Animal Conservation 5:185-199.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Pimm, Stuart; Kelly, Jay; Gawlik, Dale; Kieckbusch, David
- Date of Issue
- 2003
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- Birds, CESI, everglades, Foraging, Monitoring, Research, Wading Birds
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds