Subject: Re: Neotropical migrants
Date: Feb 13 23:37:50 1995
From: "Dan Stephens" - dstephen at ctc.ctc.edu


In message <CEF1385F019241D9 at pentec.wa.com.uucp> writes:
>
> Can anyone tell me if there is some sort of official list of neotropical
> migrants for the Pacific northwest? Also, how far south does a bird have
> to migrate to be considered a neotropical migrant?
> Thanks for any help concerning sources of information on this topic!
> Priscilla Stanford
> 4715 Sandpoint Way NE
> Seattle, WA 98105
> Priscill at pentec.wa.com
>
Priscilla,
As this is my research area, I will answer *your* questions as best I can.

First question: There are several lists of 'neotropical' migrants out there.
None perfect of course; remember, this is science.

-The Birders Handbook, Ehrlich et al. pg. 499. This list includes those species
which do well in second-growth tropical forests, but not well in highly
disturbed areas (e.g. canefields, pastures, etc.). This list includes several
Pacific NW species such as Townsend's Warbler and Northern Oriole. This list
comes from the extensive, ongoing research of John Terborgh. The best
comprehensive, book treatment of this subject is his book Where Have All the
Birds Gone? Princeton Press.

-A list compiled by Sidney Gauthreaux, Richard Hutto and others in the
Partners in Flight Journal Vol. 2 No. 1. This list includes four categories of
neotrops (in partial answer to your second question). List A = those species
which breed in North America and spend their nonbreeding period south of
the US, List B = those species that breed and winter extensively in NA, with
some of their populations wintering south of the US, List C = those species
which breed along the US/Mexican border, and vacate the US in the winter,
List D = those species which breed in Flordia and vacate the US in the
winter. This list is continually being updated.

-NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS ON NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: A
compilation of existing information, by Brian E. Sharp of Ecological
Perspectives of Portland (2234 NE 9th Ave. 97212). This lists includes
42 species with species specific management recommendations.

-NEOTROPICAL MIGRANTS-A VIEW FROM AN "EASTSIDER" by Andy Stepniewski.
Excellent treatment, but what else would you expect from Andy?

-Other more technical treatments exist (e.g. species specific, habitat
specific). I will fax or snail mail you more info if you wish.

Second question:

The term "neotropical migrant" can be applied to any bird that migrates
within the neotropics (The Neotropical Faunal Region). This includes
all of Central and South America, Mexico south of her tropical and sub-tropical
lowlands (roughly the Tropic of Cancer). However, when we say neotropical
migrant we are refering to species which breed in the Nearctic Region
(Canada, US, No. Mexico) and winter in the Neotropical Region. We often
catagorize neotrops as being "obligatory" (all or virtually all of their
populations winter in the Neotropics) or "facultative" (some populations
winter in the Neotropics). The reason many of us biogeographers are trying
to make such distinctions is that many of the neotropical migrants have been
shown alarming population declines in the last decade or so. I have only
been a seriour birder for about 20 years, but in that time even I have
noticed declines of some species (all neotropical migrants). It is interesting
to point out (as I do at length to my ornithology students) that these
neotropical species have tropical affinities biogeographically. That is they
only briefly visit us in our resource superabundant summer to breed. Please read
Terbourgh's book for a complete treatment of this important topic/problem. We
need to use our best science (always tentative knowledge) to attack the problem
as best we can. Worrying about political correctness or splitting hairs
regarding definitions is counterproductive to our efforts of educating
citizens/birders, devising studies, etc.; and saving our tropical visitors.
Sorry if this was too sententious (I really should be correcting papers) or
if it violated the "Oh, we already discussed that" rut; but from the 'replies'
you got to your excellent questions it was neither.


Dan Stephens (509) 662-7443
Dept. of Biology fax: (509) 664-2538
Wenatchee Valley College e-mail: dstephen at ctc.edu
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801