New Information on State Endangered Birds

The PGC Endangered and Threatened bird species site includes species accounts for 14 state Endangered and three Threatened species.  Bird species are given Endangered or Threatened status on the basis of their breeding status.  Some of these statuses will surely change in the next couple years as the Breeding Bird Atlas data are assessed for these and other species that are rare and declining.   State endangered birds often live in endangered ecosystems.  So, the list reflects our concerns for these special habitats which are mostly different kinds of wetlands, deep forests, or extensive grasslands.  

Just as importantly, the website explains why the species have reached this status and what you as concerned citizens can do to help their fate.   If nothing else, you can look for these species and report your observations to the agency.  If you confirm breeding of any of these species, log your finding into eBird and send a description of the bird, location information (latitude/longitude preferred), and observation notes to Doug Gross, PGC Endangered Bird Specialist, dogross@state.pa.us.  

Now that the breeding season is over, it also is a good time to enter spring and summer field trips to eBird that indicate the presence and status of the state’s rarest birds.  Be careful not to reveal too much about locations of sensitive species while they are nesting and use the notes section for additional details about behavior.  

We appreciate any additional records of Pennsylvania's Endangered and Threatened bird species.  However, it always is important to keep the interests of the birds and their continued existence in the state in mind.  Be careful to not disturb these birds unnecessarily and follow the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.

We appreciate any additional records of Pennsylvania's Endangered and Threatened bird species.  However, it always is important to keep the interests of the birds and their continued existence in the state in mind.  Be careful to not disturb these birds unnecessarily and follow the American Birding Association Code of Birding Ethics.

Each species account and additional feature have been posted in a downloadable format that can be used for precision reproduction. Collectively, the accounts are equivalent to a small book, which is how the Commonwealth formerly packaged them. Now, educators and researchers can sift through the Game Commission’s collection and gather or reproduce what they need from the best source for information on Pennsylvania’s wild birds and mammals. 

This authoritative collection of species of concern – written by state’s experts on these species – includes all of Pennsylvania’s endangered and threatened species, one extirpated species and one extinct species. Each account provides detailed species background, color photos, a range map, recommendations for further reading and source information. They are presented in an 8.5- by 11-inch Portable Document Format (PDF).

This revision of Pennsylvania’s endangered and threatened wild bird and mammal accounts has occurred because more authoritative profiles were developed through the creation of Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan, a blueprint for managing low and declining populations of animals that states were required to develop to qualify for federal State Wildlife Grant funding. These accounts were then customized with quality images that were donated by nature photographers who were solicited to help.  The text is supplemented by a series of photographs that really enhance the story told.   The agency is very grateful for these excellent resources.

Students in grades 4, 7, 10 and 12 must meet academic standards for environment and ecology as part of their curricular requirements. Part of that study focuses on threatened, endangered and extinct species, including what led to the decline of these species, and steps that can be taken to protect their habitat and strengthen their populations.  These pages provide important information toward those requirements and much more for everyone else.  

Good birding and good luck!

The image of the nesting Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was provided by Joe Kosack of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.