White Morph Reddish Egret

Meet Bunche a White Morph Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), wired for tracking as part of a study by the ARCI (Avian Research and Conservation... more

by Don Columbus

Title

White Morph Reddish Egret

Artist

Don Columbus

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

Meet Bunche a White Morph Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), wired for tracking as part of a study by the ARCI (Avian Research and Conservation Institute) and named after the place where it most often sited. The Reddish Egret is the rarest wading bird in the U.S. (with the White Morph representing only 2% to 7% of the total population). These birds are highly specialized feeders that are ecologically restricted to a very narrow coastal habitat that is vulnerable to human impacts. The Florida population is estimated to be 350-400 pairs. The conservation priority is to monitor trends, including the locations and sizes of breeding colonies and associated foraging areas. Reddish Egrets were one of five species of conservation concern surveyed in the Florida Keys in 2001-2002 and again, following a series of major hurricanes, in 2006-2007. Although four of the five species declined after the hurricanes, three had rebounded to pre-hurricane levels by 2007. The exception was the Reddish Egret. Has brought about an ongoing project for the ARCI, supported mainly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides satellite-telemetry data pertinent to pressing management questions: range sizes, seasonal movements, breeding effort, site fidelity, and survival. They have fitted eight adult Reddish Egrets with satellite transmitters in the lower Florida Keys during the 2009 and 2010 non-breeding seasons, which, to date, have resulted in 128 bird-months of tracking data. The tagged egrets consistently foraged in a specific habitat that is limited in occurrence and extent: shallow tidal streams with firm, non-vegetated bottoms that flow between areas of deeper water or drain tidal pools. Telemetry data combined with direct observations suggest strong site fidelity with limited range areas and short seasonal movements; highly competitive and aggressive foraging interactions; lower-than expected adult survival (five presumed mortalities in two years); and narrow habitat selection, which may further constrain this small resident population. This bird is new to this program and is banded.

Uploaded

February 21st, 2016