Birds
Andean Condors Making a Comeback
The tracking data will be used to identify populated regions within the condor’s range, and tailor our conservation education and outreach efforts to these communities to raise the public profile of the species and its conservation challenges.
Songbird Singing a Different Tune
Shrikes that hatched in our facility have survived and bred in the wild, and in 2009 the population reached a high of 179 breeding adults.
School Curriculum for the (Native) Birds
‘Alala are currently extinct in the wild, but hard work and perseverance have paid off and our staff have managed to grow the captive population from an all time low of around 20 birds in the early 1990s to more than 100 individuals today.
A Bird in the Hand…
Dr. Jamieson radio-tracked nearly 50 free-ranging kiwi in order to document the roosting habits and hatching success in this endemic species.
Keeping Flamingos in the Pink
Flamingos, like people, need certain levels of stress to remain healthy and alert in their daily lives but if their levels get too high for too long, problems start to emerge.
The Evolution of Genetics and the California Condor
When the question of relatedness among individuals in the decreasing condor population arose, we used DNA fingerprinting methodology to analyze the level of genetic diversity remaining in the population.
Bird Window Collision Prevention
Most of us have had the unpleasant experience of having a wild bird collide with a window at our home or workplace, but most of us don’t appreciate the magnitude of the problem.
Giving White-bellied Herons a Boost
Two eggs were pulled from a wild nest (one was not viable) resulting in the first captive hatched and reared white-bellied heron chick!
Island Adventure
Spending much of my time in the company of fervent “bird nerds,” word had reached me about the plight of the `alala and the impressive efforts being undertaken by the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research and the Peregrine Fund to rescue them from extinction.
Saving Shorebirds: Least Terns and Snowy Plovers
Since 2010, the Institute’s Terns and Plovers Project team has been working side by side with Camp Pendleton and Naval Base Coronado biologists in developing an adaptive management and research program for both species.
Loggerhead Shrikes: Breeding Endangered Birds for Release to the Wild
The San Clemente loggerhead shrike is a critically endangered songbird subspecies found only on San Clemente Island, and the U.S. Navy has had been actively guiding and funding the recovery of this species for more than 20 years.
Saving the Coastal Cactus Wren
Many people are surprised to discover that there are species in their own backyard that are in trouble.
Burrowing Bird Getting a Boost
Kiwis are endemic to New Zealand, and even though it is the country’s national icon, few are seen in the wild.
The ABCs of Avian Disease
Avian tuberculosis was one such disease – even though it is uncommon, it takes a high toll on innocent bystanders each time a case occurs, and until now, there wasn’t much we could do to help.
Saving the White-bellied Heron
There are only 27 white-bellied herons left in Bhutan, and the world count is between 50 and 200 birds. The situation in Bhutan is critical, due to India building a series of five hydro-power dams on one of the river systems that is the primary feeding and nesting habitat for the herons. There are other threats to the species as well, such as river dredging, cattle encroaching on sand bars, and illegal fishing.
Saving a Songbird: the Puaiohi
The most rewarding day of puaiohi fieldwork is release day. Having measured their weights and inspected their bands and radiotransmitters one last time, I lower the hatch of their release aviary, giving the birds their very first taste of the big, wide world.
Protecting Pine Cone-eating Parrots
Thick-billed parrot populations are vulnerable due to a very limited geographic range and highly specialized diet of large pinecones.
Saving Birds of the Southern California Coast
This region is important not only to us, but to other unique and interesting animals such as the western snowy plover and the California least tern.
Adopt a Hornbill Nest Program
In addition to our field work in South Africa, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has been supporting the Thailand Adopt a Hornbill Nest program.
Intensive Care for Hawaiian Forest Birds
We are happy to announce that the 2010 breeding season has been our most productive `alala season to date.
Mysteries of the Brown Kiwi
Comparing captive kiwi and wild kiwi in an attempt to determine the causes of the low reproductive success rate in captive populations.
Effects of Wind Turbines on California Condor in Baja and Beyond
As concerns over global warming rise, interest in renewable energy have increased dramatically, resulting in the expanding development of wind turbine facilities around the world. However, wind energy has its own price, posing great risk to birds and bats.
