PENNSYLVANIA BREEDING BIRDS OF SPECIAL CONCERN: A LISTING RATIONALE AND STATUS UPDATE

• Published in: Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 1994-07, Vol.68 (1), p.3-28
• Main Authors: BRAUNING, DANIEL W., BRITTINGHAM, MARGARET C., GROSS, DOUGLAS A., LEBERMAN, ROBERT C., MASTER, TERRY L., MULVIHILL, ROBERT S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aviculture; BIOLOGY; Bird nesting; Birds; Birds of prey; Breeding; Endangered species; Marshes; Owls; Threatened species; Waterfowl
• ISSN: 1044-6753; 2475-1898

The list of birds of special concern in Pennsylvania has been revised substantially since it was established in 1979 (Gill 1985). Forty-seven past or present breeding birds are now listed as "special concern," including seven endangered, eight threatened, six extirpated, one extinct, and 25 candidate species. Status designations were determined by the Ornithological Technical Committee (OTC) of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey, drawing on Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pennsylvania (Brauning 1992a), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), a species ranking system (Kirkland and Krim 1990), the literature, and combined personal experience of OTC members. Species associated with wetland, grassland, and forest interior habitats are disproportionately represented (in that order) as special concern birds. Thirty-four of these species (75%) are also listed in conservation categories by neighboring states. Endangered species are Osprey, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, King Rail, Black Tern, Short-eared Owl, and Loggerhead Shrike. Threatened species are American Bittern, Least Bittern, Great Egret, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Common Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, and Sedge Wren. Extirpated-Extinct species are Piping Plover, Common Tern, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Passenger Pigeon, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Bewick's Wren, and Bachman's Sparrow. Candidate-At-Risk species are Snowy Egret, Northern Harrier, Barn Owl, and Prothonotary Warbler. Candidate-Rare species are Pied-billed Grebe, Green-winged Teal, Northern Goshawk, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Swainson's Thrush, Summer Tanager, and Blue Grosbeak. Candidate-Undetermined species are Cattle Egret, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Ruddy Duck, Northern Bobwhite, Long-eared Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Common Nighthawk, Whip-poor-will, Dickcissel, Henslow's Sparrow and Red Crossbill. The Pennsylvania Game Commission formally adopted the Endangered and Threatened species list established here, except for Common Snipe.