Download International Wood Thrush Conservation Alliance

International Wood Thrush
Conservation Alliance
The International Wood Thrush Conservation Alliance (Alliance) is a consortium of scientists and
conservation biologists from academic institutions, agencies, and non-profits in Central and North
America. It is focused on conserving Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) populations using the best
available science and raising awareness about the conservation needs of associated forest birds and their
habitats. Our specific mission is to ensure the long-term viability of Wood Thrush populations and the
habitats on which they depend through science-based, full life cycle conservation planning,
management, and education.
Membership in the Alliance is open to all. A Steering Committee provides high-level vision and guidance
in helping the Alliance achieve its mission and goals, and works directly with members, partners, and
stakeholders to support science, conservation, and fund raising endeavors. Alliance Technical
Committees guide research, conservation, and education projects.
Our Goals
 Develop and implement a science-based, full life-cycle conservation plan that is focused on recovering
and sustaining Wood Thrush populations through a framework of research, education, management,
and monitoring.
 Identify and fill science and conservation knowledge gaps by conducting original research and
interpreting existing science.
 Increase awareness about Wood Thrush conservation status and facilitate coordinated conservation
planning throughout the species’ range.
 Develop communication mechanisms for sharing information, promoting the International Wood
Thrush Conservation Alliance, and raising funds.
Current Activities
Presently there are three active Technical Committees conducting work to meet these goals:
 The Science Committee is guiding the Alliance in designing and implementing scientific investigations
to fill gaps in our knowledge of Wood Thrush ecology at all life-cycle
stages, and to ensure excellence in science conducted by the full group.
 The Breeding Grounds Conservation Committee is using existing and
new science to develop Wood Thrush breeding season conservation
strategies for implementation at all spatial scales. The group works
closely with the Science Technical Committee to identify science gaps and
design research to fill them. The group also considers issues associated
with migration, such as pathways, stopover ecology, and geographical
and biological linkages to the wintering grounds.
Current Activities continued
 The Wintering Grounds Conservation Committee is using existing and new science to develop
Wood Thrush wintering season conservation strategies for implementation at all spatial scales. The
group works closely with the Science Technical Committee to identify science gaps and design
research to fill them and considers issues associated with migration, such as pathways, stopover
ecology, and geographical and biological linkages to the breeding grounds. The group also focuses on
the need for monitoring during the winter (non-breeding) period, considers winter threats, and
addresses unique conservation challenges associated with working in Latin America.
Species Profile
The Wood Thrush is among the most iconic
and steadily declining of North America’s
forest-dwelling songbirds. Throughout its
breeding range in the eastern U.S. and Canada,
Wood Thrush populations have declined by
approximately 50 percent since the mid1960s. It has been on the Partners in Flight
Watch List for more than a decade and is listed
as Threatened in Canada. Recently, declines
have accelerated in northern portions of the
range and at higher elevations. The species is a
symbol for Neotropical bird conservation and
the need to protect forest health, not only in
the U.S. and Canada, but also in Mexico and
Central America where Wood Thrush spend
the winter in lowland forests.
Threats: Wood Thrush declines are linked to
forest loss and fragmentation in both breeding and wintering areas. Reproductive success is impaired in
small, isolated forests and fragmented landscapes where rates of nest predation and Brown-headed
Cowbird parasitism are higher than in larger, more intact forested landscapes. Declining forest health,
due to acid rain, deer over-browsing, and inappropriate forest management are also factors in the
deterioration of Wood Thrush populations. Loss of primary forests in the tropics may force birds into
secondary habitats where they may have higher winter mortality rates and lowered fitness, which could
weaken their ability to migrate and breed successfully.
Contact
Learn More
Chair
Ron Rohrbaugh, Asst. Dir. of Conservation Science
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
[email protected]
Learn more about Wood Thrush natural history:
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Thrush
International Coordinator
Becky Keller, Science Coordinator
Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture
[email protected]
Keep informed about our activities by visiting:
https://www.facebook.com/iwothca
Join the Work Group:
https://griffingroups.com/groups/profile/25137/i
nternational-wood-thrush-conservation-alliance