Tweets, Just got this in my inbox and thought it might be of some
interest.
Paul Moorehead
n9135066 at henson.cc.wwu.edu
p.s. I reported an American Tree Sparrow from the headwaters of Wolf
Creek (near Sun Mountain Lodge) in mid-August. I believe that I may have
misidentified an immature Chipping Sparrow. Lo siento, Paul


>From the Ornithological Council

:Action Alert: Wild Bird Conservation Act

Dr. Steven Beissinger, Chair of the Conservation Committee of the American
Ornithologists' Union (AOU) will testify Thursday Sept. 28 at a House of
Representatives hearing on the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA) of 1992.
The WBCA prohibits the importation of bird species listed on the Appendices
of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Many of these listed species are parrots and other birds that are threatened
by excessive international trade. Scientific specimens and non-CITES
species are not affected by the Act. Permits can be obtained for
importation for scientific research, zoological breeding or display and for
approved captive breeding programs. Imports are allowed from approved
foreign captive breeding facilities.

The number of birds imported to the U.S. has declined significantly since
the passage of the WBCA in 1992 from an average of 700,000 annually in the
1980s to less than 100,000 in 1994. The percentage of these birds that come
from captive breeding has also increased significantly.

Nonetheless, certain bird trade interests and some aviculturalists wish to
weaken the Act by exempting all captive-bred birds from the Act and removing
provisions that relate to certification of breeding facitilies These
exemptions, if approved, could make it easier to import wild-caught birds
that were claimed to have been captive-bred.

The AOU. Conservation Committee issued a report on the scientific issues
relating to the bird trade and put forth guidelines regarding the use of
captive breeding programs in wild bird recovery efforts. In 1991, AOU
approved a resolution supporting legislation to curb the importation of
wild-caught birds for commercial purposes and supporting a moratorium on
imports to the United States for commercial purposes.

The AOU and other ornithological societies, through the Ornithological
Council, support the Wild Bird Conservation Act and oppose exemptions that
could lead to increased commercial imports. It is important that
ornithologists provide credible information that can counter claims that
captive breeding is a panacea.

The hearing will be held Thursday Sept. 28 in the Fisheries, Wildlife and
Oceans Subcommittee of the House Resources Subcommittee. Interested
scientists should contact their Members of Congress and encourage them to
attend the hearing. It is also important for Congressional staff to know
ornithologists in their districts that they can talk to regarding this and
other issues relating to birds.

For further information, contact Dr. David Blockstein, The Ornithological
Council, "Scientific Information about Birds" 202-628-7131,
cnie at access.digex.net or Dr. Steven Beissinger at Yale University
fe563 at yalevm.bitnet






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