Getting to the root of long-term tree swallow declines

Date:  October 17, 2018

Source:  American Ornithological Society Publications Office

Aerial insectivores -- birds that hunt for insect prey on the wing -- are declining across North America. Conserving vulnerable species such as these requires a good understanding of the factors impacting them at every stage of life. Juveniles and adults, for example, may face different threats and die at different rates. Two new studies from The Condor: Ornithological Applications take a deep dive into the demographic factors behind declining populations of Tree Swallows and show that although specifics may vary between locations, action is needed to address environmental changes affecting these birds across their geographic range.

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