Review of \u3ci\u3e Birds of Nebraska: Their Distribution and Temporal Occurrence\u3c/i\u3e by Roger S. Sharpe, W. Ross Silcock, and Joel G. Jorgensen

Several books regarding the status and distribution of the birds of Nebraska have appeared since 1980, including annotated checklists (Paul Johnsgard, A Preliminary List of the Birds of Nebraska and Adjacent Great Plains States [1980]; Johnsgard, The Birds of Nebraska and Adjacent Plains States [1997]; T. E. Bray et al., The Birds of Nebraska: A Critically Evaluated List [1986]) and treatments of breeding birds (James E. Ducey and Johnsgard, Nebraska Birds: Breeding Status and Distribution [1988]), but none of these is a truly comprehensive account of the state\u27s avifauna. The current volume is aimed at just such a niche and does a fine job of filling it. Like most books in this genre, Birds of Nebraska contains pertinent introductory material, but the bulk of the book is comprised of individual species accounts. The introductory chapters cover geology, climate, habitats (accompanied by a photographic gallery), and a history of Nebraska ornithology. Color maps of native and current vegetation, geographic regions, and counties are also provided. The treatments of habitats and ornithological history are more extensive than is typical for such volumes and provide some engaging reading. Concluding material includes an excellent and wide-ranging bibliography relating to Nebraska birds and a gazetteer with brief descriptions of the locations listed in the species accounts

Stopover Ecology of Autumn Landbird Migrants in the Boise Foothills of Southwestern Idaho

The topography of western North America provides a complex landscape for landbird migrants, and stopover patterns in this region are poorly understood. We examined seven years of stopover data (1997–2003) from a montane area in southwestern Idaho to determine whether this area provides suitable stopover habitat. We compared the proportion of birds recaptured, stopover duration, and changes in energetic condition within and among species and between two mist-netting sites located in different habitats. The proportion of birds recaptured ranged from zero to over 20%, and fewer than 5% of individuals were recaptured in most species. Mean minimum stopover durations from recapture data ranged from 1 to 10 days; most species averaged less than 6 days. Stopover duration estimates from open-population models were comparable but generally greater than estimates from recapture data. As found in stopover studies from other regions, stopover metrics varied within and among species in Idaho. However, most migrants in this study exhibited an ability to gain mass, evidenced both by recapture data and by regression of energetic condition against time since sunrise. These data imply that montane habitats in Idaho are suitable stopover sites. It follows that these habitats might serve an important role for many landbird migrants during the period of late summer molt and autumn migration, a time when many lowland areas of the West, including some riparian systems, are especially arid. We suggest that including montane nonriparian habitats in future stopover ecology studies will allow for a more complete understanding of migrant habitat needs in the West

Habitat Associations, Relative Abundance, and Species Richness of Autumn Landbird Migrants in Southwestern Idaho

We used count surveys and mist-net captures to compare habitat associations, relative abundance, species richness, and community similarity of migrant landbirds among four major habitats in the Boise Foothills of southwestern Idaho. Count surveys were conducted from August through October 1997–2000 in conifer forest, mountain shrubland, shrubsteppe, and riparian shrubland. We compared bird detections among habitats for all birds pooled, individual species, and three migration strategies: Neotropical, temperate, and resident (including irruptive migrants). Mountain shrubland supported the highest numbers of temperate migrants; both mountain shrubland and riparian shrubland had the highest numbers of Neotropical migrants; and conifer forest had the highest numbers of residents. Species richness was highest in riparian shrubland and lowest in shrubsteppe, whereas diversity and evenness were highest in conifer forest and mountain shrubland. Mist netting was conducted from mid-July to mid-October in two habitats: mountain shrubland (1997– 2002) and riparian shrubland (1998–1999). Captures (adjusted for effort) were compared among habitats in 1998–1999 and were similar for temperate migrants, whereas mountain shrubland had higher abundance of Neotropical migrants and riparian shrubland had higher abundance of irruptive migrants. Richness, diversity, and evenness were similar and there was high community similarity between mountain shrub and riparian shrubland habitats. These results emphasize the importance of montane habitats, especially deciduous shrub communities, to migrants in the Intermountain West

Species Richness and Nesting Success of Migrant Forest Birds in Natural River Corridors and Anthropogenic Woodlands in Southeastern South Dakota

Forest fragmentation is thought to be partially responsible for declines in many Neotropical migrant birds due to the combined effects of higher rates of brood parasitism and increased predation near forest edges. A majority of the forested habitat in the northern prairie region is found in riparian corridors, but this native habitat has been much reduced from its historical extent. However, additional woodland nesting habitat has been established within the last century in the form of isolated woodlots on farms. We compared abundance, species richness, and nesting success of migrant forest birds breeding in native riparian corridors and anthropogenic woodlots. The two habitats had similar bird abundances but native riparian woodlands were more species-rich than woodlots. We located a total of 650 nests, with 320 nests of 15 species in woodlots and 331 nests of 25 species in riparian corridors. Nesting success was not significantly different between the two habitats for all species combined or for individual species with ≥15 nests in each habitat. Nests above 5 m were more successful than lower nests, but distance to woodland edge did not influence nesting success. Nests initiated in the middle and late portions of the nesting season were more successful than early season nests, significantly so in woodlots. Thus, anthropogenic woodlots were as suitable as natural habitats for successful nesting. However, many of the Neotropical migrants occurring in riparian habitats were absent from woodlots, which suggests that riparian corridors are especially important habitats for breeding birds in the northern prairie region

Molt Strategies and Age Differences in Migration Timing Among Autumn Landbird Migrants in Southwestern Idaho

Intraspecific patterns of autumn migration timing are not well known, particularly in the western United States. Here, we (1) describe autumn migration timing and age ratios of landbird migrants in southwestern Idaho, (2) examine differences in timing among age and sex classes, and (3) demonstrate how prebasic molt strategies affect migration timing differences between age classes. As a group, Neotropical migrants were most common from late July through early September, whereas temperate migrants were most common from mid-September into early October. Proportion of hatch-year birds was 74.5% for all migrants combined and ranged from 33.3% to 100% for individual species. Timing differences between sex classes were detected in only a few species and no general patterns emerged. In 22 of 31 Neotropical and temperate migrants examined, there were significant differences in timing between adults and hatch-year birds. In species in which adults begin fall migration before replacing flight feathers, adults migrated earlier than hatch-year birds. Conversely, in species in which adults molt flight feathers on or near the breeding grounds before departing on fall migration, hatch-year birds migrated earlier than adults in all but one case. Therefore, it appears that molt strategy is a powerful determinant of intraspecific migration timing differences and, to our knowledge, this is the first study to document this pattern among migrant passerines of North America

A re-assessment of the distribution of Virginia\u27s warbler in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Virginia’s Warbler (Oreothlypis virginiae) reaches the northeastern limit of its breeding range in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota, where it is considered a species of conservation concern. This population occurs in pine–juniper–shrub habitat in several canyons in extreme western Custer County. Additional such habitat occurs in the southern Black Hills south and east of the documented breeding populations, but these areas have received few systematic surveys, and whether Virginia’s Warbler occupies them was uncertain. Therefore, to define the species’ distribution in the South Dakota Black Hills more precisely, we surveyed with the aid of broadcast song and reviewed other reports. Virginia’s Warblers occurred in appropriate habitats all along the southwestern front (approximately 30 km total) of the Black Hills in Custer County but did not occur in similar habitat along the southeastern front, approximately 25 km distant. The species’ relative abundance in previously and newly identified pine–juniper–shrub habitats was similar. Virginia’s Warbler occurrence was positively associated with shrub cover (primarily mountain-mahogany, Cercocarpus montanus), pine overstory, and slopes of \u3e15°. Its association with the Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) was negative, with the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) tended toward positive, and with the Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) was variable (negative along the southwestern front but weakly positive across all sites). These data extend the documented breeding range of Virginia’s Warbler in South Dakota by more than 20 km to the southeast. To clarify conservation priorities for this species at the northeastern limit of its range, future studies should delineate local and landscape-level characteristics of this population’s habitat more precisely and address its source–sink population dynamics

Avian Behavioral and Physiological Responses to Challenging Thermal Environments and Extreme Weather Events

Birds occupy habitats ranging from Antarctic ice shelves and Arctic tundra to low-latitude deserts and lowland rainforests, and so are exposed to the full range of climates present on Earth. Cold, hot, or variable (on a variety of temporal scales) thermal conditions can present significant thermoregulatory challenges to birds, which typically must maintain body temperatures within narrow physiological tolerance limits. Such challenges may occur in all stages of the annual cycle and in all life stages of birds, so the ability to adjust to these conditions is required to maintain stable populations through time. For this Research Topic, we broadly define a challenging thermal environment as one necessitating behavioral or physiological adjustments to maintain body temperatures at levels appropriate for continued physiological function.Avian abilities to respond to extreme cold and heat are defined by thermoregulatory capacities for heat production or dissipation, respectively. Behavioral responses to temperature challenges can reduce the necessity for and magnitude of physiological adjustments, so together, physiological capacities and behavioral responses determine the probability of survival in thermally challenging situations. Moreover, thermal conditions experienced during reproduction can affect parental investment in the nesting effort and, independently, alter the course of nestling development, with potentially long-term consequences. Behavioral responses to these conditions as well as physiological responses at multiple levels of organization, from organisms to molecules, allow birds to tolerate thermal challenges. Our knowledge of the mechanisms by which birds respond, the time course for such responses, and the impacts on fitness, however, remain incompletely understood. Studies examining behavioral and physiological responses of birds to extreme and/or seasonally variable climates have been a research focus for decades, but recent advances in methods of measurement and analyses of physiological and behavioral traits have led to novel findings regarding the patterns and mechanisms by which birds adjust to challenging thermal environments.This Research Topic examines how thermal conditions in the environment pose challenges to birds and the physiological and behavioral adjustments that birds employ to meet them. Articles for this Research Topic may be original research papers, reviews, or perspectives. Specific themes that we believe are suitable for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:• Integrative mechanisms underlying bird thermoregulatory capacities contributing to a tolerance of challenging thermal environments and their links to fitness• Influence of thermal conditions during reproduction on parental investment or nestling development• Behavioral responses to challenging thermal conditions and their mechanistic underpinnings• Time courses for physiological adjustments to environmental temperature variation• Physiological and behavioral flexibility associated with daily or seasonal temperature variation• Physiological and behavioral responses and tolerance limits during extreme weather events• Body temperature regulation under challenging thermal conditions and energy or water restrictions, including real-time field measurements and thermal imaging• Body temperature regulation and environmental or ecological drivers of hypometabolic strategies• Physiological consequences of exceeding thermoregulatory capacitie

Chapter 8: Adapting to Climate Change

Forest ecosystems respond to natural climatic variability and human-caused climate change in ways that are adverse as well as beneficial to the biophysical environment and to society. Adaptation can be defined as responses or adjustments made— passive, reactive, or anticipatory—to climatic variability and change (Carter et al. 1994). Many adjustments occur whether humans intervene or not; for example, plants and animals shift to favorable habitats, and gene frequencies may change to favor traits that enable persistence in a warmer climate. Here we assess (general) strategies and (specific) tactics that resource managers can use to reduce forest vulnerability and increase adaptation to changing climate (Peterson et al. 2011). Plans and activities range from short-term, stop-gap measures, such as removing conifers that are progressively invading mountainmeadows, to long-term, proactive commitments, such as vegetation management to reduce the likelihood of severe wildfire or of beetle-mediated forest mortality

Including ultrasound scans in antenatal care in low-resource settings: Considering the complementarity of obstetric ultrasound screening and maternity waiting homes in strengthening referral systems in low-resource, rural settings

Recent World Health Organization (WHO) antenatal care recommendations include an ultrasound scan as a part of routine antenatal care. The First Look Study, referenced in the WHO recommendation, subsequently shows that the routine use of ultrasound during antenatal care in rural, low-income settings did not improve maternal, fetal or neonatal mortality, nor did it increase women\u27s use of antenatal care or the rate of hospital births. This article reviews the First Look Study, reconsidering the assumptions upon which it was built in light of these results, a supplemental descriptive study of interviews with patients and sonographers that participated in the First Look study intervention, and a review of the literature. Two themes surface from this review. The first is that focused emphasis on building the pregnancy risk screening skills of rural primary health care personnel may not lead to adaptations in referral hospital processes that could benefit the patient accordingly. The second is that agency to improve the quality of patient reception at referral hospitals may need to be manufactured for obstetric ultrasound screening, or remote pregnancy risk screening more generally, to have the desired impact. Stemming from the literature, this article goes on to examine the potential for complementarity between obstetric ultrasound screening and another approach encouraged by the WHO, the maternity waiting home. Each approach may address existing shortcomings in how the other is currently understood. This paper concludes by proposing a path toward developing and testing such a hybrid approach

Food Availability, Foraging Behavior, and Diet of Autumn Migrant Landbirds in the Boise Foothills of Southwestern Idaho

Food availability and acquisition are critical components of a stopover site\u27s suitability, but we know relatively little about how changes in food availability affect the stopover ecology of migrating landbirds. We examined fruit and arthropod availability in three habitats, studied foraging behavior and diet, and investigated use versus availability for passerines migrating through southwestern Idaho in autumn. Hemiptera dominated foliage-dwelling arthropod communities in all three habitats, whereas Hymenoptera were most numerous among ground-dwelling arthropods. Mountain shrubland had relatively high biomass of both ground-dwelling and foliage-dwelling arthropods, whereas conifer forest had high biomass of foliage-dwelling arthropods only and shrub steppe had high biomass of ground-dwelling arthropods only. Species\u27 foraging behavior varied, but most species foraged in mountain shrubland more often than expected by chance. Diets of most species included a high proportion of certain Hemiptera and Hymenoptera with smaller proportions of Coleoptera, Diptera, and Heteroptera; Coleoptera and some Hemiptera were consistently preferred by most species. Importantly, all 19 bird species examined consumed some fruit, and this is the first documentation of frugivory for two warbler species. These data point to the importance of several arthropod taxa, especially the Hemiptera and Hymenoptera, and fruits to landbirds migrating in mountain shrubland in autumn. Finally, we found no effect of annual variation of fruit or arthropod abundance on migrants\u27 energetic condition, suggesting that food was sufficient for mass gain in all years of this study and/or that foraging behavior may be plastic enough to allow birds to gain mass despite annual differences in food availability