AT-RISK BIRDS IN SANTA BARBARA
By: Julia Saunders
Research Question: What are the primary factors contributing to the decline of endangered seabird and small bird populations in Santa Barbara, and how effective are current rehabilitation protocols and conservation efforts in supporting their recovery?
overview
Here, we explore these challenges and highlight conservation methods organizations like the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network use to rehabilitate and protect these endangered birds—essential for preserving our region’s biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Seabirds and small bird species in Santa Barbara, like the Scripps’s Murrelet, Brown Pelican, and Snowy Plover, are facing severe threats from human activity, habitat loss, and pollution.
Click on the bolded/ highlighted words for further information
Species Profiles
Scripps Murrelet
Snowy Plover
Brown Pelican
Status: Previously endangered, but through conservation efforts, they made a recovery.
Status: Listed as a threatened species
Status: Listed as a threatened species
Threats: - Human disturbance and nest abandonment - Introduction of non-native mammal predators (cats and rats) - Oil spills
Threats: - Human activity (foot traffic and motorized vehicles) - Poor reproductive success as a result of this
Threats: - Poaching for fashion - Toxic pesticides (DDT)- Oil spills - Starvation - Pollution (plastic and fishing gear)
Conservation efforts
Snowy plover:- As of 2002, the California Department of Parks and Recreation implemented various guidelines everyone must adhere to to help restore this vital species. -Above, a study shows how protected areas increased snowy plover populations
Brown Pelican: Efforts implemented over the last few generations include the Endangered Species Act, the DDT ban, and nesting island protection. Using specific Bird Rescue criteria, we can better ensure that rehabilitated pelicans are successfully reintroduced to the wild.
Scripps Murrelet: Spill response efforts must be implemented to mitigate damages after oil spills.
Info
Why should we care? What can We do?
The problems these species face represent a small glimpse into what so many birds in the Santa Barbara area struggle with due to human disruption. Aside from the fact that these animals play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity, they are intelligent creatures that should not be punished for our negative impacts. Click the info label to the right for ways you can help species like these:
Info
#BringBirdsBack
Works cited
American Bird Conservancy. "Brown Pelican." American Bird Conservancy, 18 Aug. 2023, https://abcbirds.org/bird/brown-pelican/. Henkel, L. A., Nevins, H., Martin, M., Sugarman, S., Harvey, J. T., and Ziccardi, M. H. "Chronic Oiling of Marine Birds in California by Natural Petroleum Seeps, Shipwrecks, and Other Sources." Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 79, no. 1–2, 2014, pp. 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.023. Hughes, James B., Gretchen C. Daily, and Paul R. Ehrlich. "Population Diversity: Its Extent and Extinction." Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 7, 1997, pp. 1–19. SpringerLink, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-004-7180-5. Jaques, D. L., Mills, K. L., Selby, B. G., Veit, R. R., and Ziccardi, M. H. "Use of Plumage and Gular Pouch Color to Evaluate Condition of Oil Spill Rehabilitated California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) Post-Release." PLOS ONE, vol. 14, no. 2, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211932. KPIX CBS News Bay Area. "Starving Brown Pelicans Overwhelm Bay Area Bird Rescue Facility." YouTube, 11 May 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mIHkISgv5M. Ruhlen, T. D., Abbott, S., Stenzel, L. E., and Page, G. W. "Evidence That Human Disturbance Reduces Snowy Plover Chick Survival." Journal of Field Ornithology, vol. 74, no. 3, 2003, pp. 300–304. https://doi.org/10.1648/0273-8570-74.3.300. "Snowy Plover Survival in Response to Human Disturbance." Marine Ornithology, vol. 51, no. 2, 2023, pp. 157–168. http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/51_2/51_2_157-168.pdf. Whitworth, D. L., Carter, H. R., Gress, F., Hamilton, C. D., and Fangman, S. "Status, Distribution, and Conservation of Scripps’s Murrelet at Santa Catalina Island, California." Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist, vol. 7, no. 1, 2014, pp. 349–362. BioOne, https://doi.org/10.3398/042.007.0124.
Brown Pelican Bird Rescue Criteria
According to the seabird department staff, following strict protocols to medically help these injured and emaciated birds will increase their survival rates once reintroduced to the wild. Additionally, by monitoring our behavior and how we interact with the environment, we can better the Pelicans' chances of survival. This means
- Properly disposing of recreational and commercial fishing gear- Lessening our impact on oiling and plumage contamination
Guidelines aiding the Snowy Plover
Why are these conservation guidelines so important? -First, the Snowy Plover is a vital organism that contributes to the surrounding ecosystem and increases biodiversity. - While these guidelines may seem extreme, Snowy Plovers and other shorebirds can only nest at these beaches. The actions humans take are accompanied by the risk to the livelihood of this species and its reproductive capacity. - These guidelines will help Snowy Plover and aid in the health of all shorebirds during breeding seasons.
- On state beaches, regulations now prohibit dogs, horses, motorized vehicles, camping, fireworks, fires, and the removal of driftwood.
- Numerous beaches in Morro Bay State Park allow dogs to be present. In state park campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, and roads, leashed dogs are encouraged. Additionally, any beach not managed by the California Dept. of Parks and Rec is fair game for dogs!
Ways YOU can help:
- Donate time/ money to organizations that help rescue and rehabilitate injured birds (whether this resulted from an oil spill, poaching, human disturbance, etc). Examples include:
- Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
- Oiled wildlife care network
- American Bird Conservancy
- Make your voice heard by contacting lawmakers and helping shape laws prioritizing bird-friendly practices:
- ABC's Action Center
- Support and adhere to permits found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.
- Be aware of bird nesting sites when at beaches.
- Participate in beach cleanups and reduce plastic use
Snowy Plover
Reasons for pop decline
The seabird employees relayed that the snowy plover is a species they frequently encounter needing rehabilitation. A study linked below determined that the decline of this population is correlated to human impacts. To do so, researchers monitored the effects of human impact on snowy plover chick loss at Point Reyes Beach in Marin County, California. They compared their findings on weekdays to weekends and holidays, where they predicted an increase in mortality rates during the latter time.
Info found in the scholarly article titled: "Evidence That Human Disturbance Reduces Snowy Plover Chick Survival."
Results
As expected, chick loss rates were 3x higher on weekends and holidays than on weekdays. Furthermore, chick loss rates were higher in 2000 vs 1999, displaying a negative trend in the Snowy Plover population attributed to human impacts.
Scripps Murrelet: Mitigation
- Capturing and transporting oiled birds to centers such as the SBWCN for cleaning and rehabilitation
- Enhancing rehabilitation and housing methods
- Conducting post-release studies to assess survival and breeding
- Using spotlight surveys to monitor population changes before and after the spill
https://bioone.org/journals/monographs-of-the-western-north-american-naturalist/volume-7/issue-1/042.007.0124/Status-Distribution-and-Conservation-of-Scrippss-Murrelet-at-Santa-Catalina/10.3398/042.007.0124.full
Scripps Murrelet: Oil Spills
According to the seabird department staff, oil spills are among the greatest threats to the birds they care for. Scripps’s Murrelet is one of the species most affected due to its small size and classification as a pelagic seabird. Furthermore, its small breeding range and honed concentration in few areas increase its risk of population decline in the case of an oil spill. As SBWCN staff educated me on how to treat these species in the event of an oil spill, I was shocked by the severity of injuries that this can incite.
Susceptibility and effects of oil on the Scripps Murrelet:- Loss of waterproofing--> increased hypothermia/ thermoregulatory ability - Risk of infection due to skin burns - Ingestion of contaminated water --> organ damage, nutrient toxicity - Susceptibility to stress and decline in general health
The table below displays the range of injuries the Brown Pelicans had developed. As shown, emaciation is the most abundant and severe (with severe being less than 70% of release weight at intake.)
Starvation in Brown Pelicans
As observed at the SBWCC
During my first day as a volunteer, I inquired about Brown Pelicans, wondering if they are frequently brought in. The seabird team responded that in the past year, large influxes of Brown Pelicans have been admitted battling severe emaciation, lack of nutrition, and broken limbs. The cause of their condition is still unknown to them, but they predicted changing weather conditions and poor forage fish availability could have contributed.
Found at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/51_2/51_2_157-168.pdf
How to help: The seabird team explained that the best way to help this species is to avoid feeding, touching, and interacting with them in their natural habitat. If you encounter an injured pelican, call the SBWCC so it can get the professional help it needs.
Data from article titled: "Restoration of Breeding by Snowy Plovers Following Protection from Disturbance"
The table shows snowy plovers displayed significant increases in nests, eggs laid, and eggs hatched. This shows a positive linkage to habitat restoration and proves that efforts to minimize foot traffic and motorized vehicles will help the population rebound.
At Risk Birds
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Transcript
AT-RISK BIRDS IN SANTA BARBARA
By: Julia Saunders
Research Question: What are the primary factors contributing to the decline of endangered seabird and small bird populations in Santa Barbara, and how effective are current rehabilitation protocols and conservation efforts in supporting their recovery?
overview
Here, we explore these challenges and highlight conservation methods organizations like the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network use to rehabilitate and protect these endangered birds—essential for preserving our region’s biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Seabirds and small bird species in Santa Barbara, like the Scripps’s Murrelet, Brown Pelican, and Snowy Plover, are facing severe threats from human activity, habitat loss, and pollution.
Click on the bolded/ highlighted words for further information
Species Profiles
Scripps Murrelet
Snowy Plover
Brown Pelican
Status: Previously endangered, but through conservation efforts, they made a recovery.
Status: Listed as a threatened species
Status: Listed as a threatened species
Threats: - Human disturbance and nest abandonment - Introduction of non-native mammal predators (cats and rats) - Oil spills
Threats: - Human activity (foot traffic and motorized vehicles) - Poor reproductive success as a result of this
Threats: - Poaching for fashion - Toxic pesticides (DDT)- Oil spills - Starvation - Pollution (plastic and fishing gear)
Conservation efforts
Snowy plover:- As of 2002, the California Department of Parks and Recreation implemented various guidelines everyone must adhere to to help restore this vital species. -Above, a study shows how protected areas increased snowy plover populations
Brown Pelican: Efforts implemented over the last few generations include the Endangered Species Act, the DDT ban, and nesting island protection. Using specific Bird Rescue criteria, we can better ensure that rehabilitated pelicans are successfully reintroduced to the wild.
Scripps Murrelet: Spill response efforts must be implemented to mitigate damages after oil spills.
Info
Why should we care? What can We do?
The problems these species face represent a small glimpse into what so many birds in the Santa Barbara area struggle with due to human disruption. Aside from the fact that these animals play vital roles in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity, they are intelligent creatures that should not be punished for our negative impacts. Click the info label to the right for ways you can help species like these:
Info
#BringBirdsBack
Works cited
American Bird Conservancy. "Brown Pelican." American Bird Conservancy, 18 Aug. 2023, https://abcbirds.org/bird/brown-pelican/. Henkel, L. A., Nevins, H., Martin, M., Sugarman, S., Harvey, J. T., and Ziccardi, M. H. "Chronic Oiling of Marine Birds in California by Natural Petroleum Seeps, Shipwrecks, and Other Sources." Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 79, no. 1–2, 2014, pp. 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.023. Hughes, James B., Gretchen C. Daily, and Paul R. Ehrlich. "Population Diversity: Its Extent and Extinction." Biodiversity and Conservation, vol. 7, 1997, pp. 1–19. SpringerLink, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10531-004-7180-5. Jaques, D. L., Mills, K. L., Selby, B. G., Veit, R. R., and Ziccardi, M. H. "Use of Plumage and Gular Pouch Color to Evaluate Condition of Oil Spill Rehabilitated California Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) Post-Release." PLOS ONE, vol. 14, no. 2, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211932. KPIX CBS News Bay Area. "Starving Brown Pelicans Overwhelm Bay Area Bird Rescue Facility." YouTube, 11 May 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mIHkISgv5M. Ruhlen, T. D., Abbott, S., Stenzel, L. E., and Page, G. W. "Evidence That Human Disturbance Reduces Snowy Plover Chick Survival." Journal of Field Ornithology, vol. 74, no. 3, 2003, pp. 300–304. https://doi.org/10.1648/0273-8570-74.3.300. "Snowy Plover Survival in Response to Human Disturbance." Marine Ornithology, vol. 51, no. 2, 2023, pp. 157–168. http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/51_2/51_2_157-168.pdf. Whitworth, D. L., Carter, H. R., Gress, F., Hamilton, C. D., and Fangman, S. "Status, Distribution, and Conservation of Scripps’s Murrelet at Santa Catalina Island, California." Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist, vol. 7, no. 1, 2014, pp. 349–362. BioOne, https://doi.org/10.3398/042.007.0124.
Brown Pelican Bird Rescue Criteria
According to the seabird department staff, following strict protocols to medically help these injured and emaciated birds will increase their survival rates once reintroduced to the wild. Additionally, by monitoring our behavior and how we interact with the environment, we can better the Pelicans' chances of survival. This means
- Properly disposing of recreational and commercial fishing gear- Lessening our impact on oiling and plumage contamination
Guidelines aiding the Snowy Plover
Why are these conservation guidelines so important? -First, the Snowy Plover is a vital organism that contributes to the surrounding ecosystem and increases biodiversity. - While these guidelines may seem extreme, Snowy Plovers and other shorebirds can only nest at these beaches. The actions humans take are accompanied by the risk to the livelihood of this species and its reproductive capacity. - These guidelines will help Snowy Plover and aid in the health of all shorebirds during breeding seasons.
Ways YOU can help:
Snowy Plover
Reasons for pop decline
The seabird employees relayed that the snowy plover is a species they frequently encounter needing rehabilitation. A study linked below determined that the decline of this population is correlated to human impacts. To do so, researchers monitored the effects of human impact on snowy plover chick loss at Point Reyes Beach in Marin County, California. They compared their findings on weekdays to weekends and holidays, where they predicted an increase in mortality rates during the latter time.
Info found in the scholarly article titled: "Evidence That Human Disturbance Reduces Snowy Plover Chick Survival."
Results
As expected, chick loss rates were 3x higher on weekends and holidays than on weekdays. Furthermore, chick loss rates were higher in 2000 vs 1999, displaying a negative trend in the Snowy Plover population attributed to human impacts.
Scripps Murrelet: Mitigation
https://bioone.org/journals/monographs-of-the-western-north-american-naturalist/volume-7/issue-1/042.007.0124/Status-Distribution-and-Conservation-of-Scrippss-Murrelet-at-Santa-Catalina/10.3398/042.007.0124.full
Scripps Murrelet: Oil Spills
According to the seabird department staff, oil spills are among the greatest threats to the birds they care for. Scripps’s Murrelet is one of the species most affected due to its small size and classification as a pelagic seabird. Furthermore, its small breeding range and honed concentration in few areas increase its risk of population decline in the case of an oil spill. As SBWCN staff educated me on how to treat these species in the event of an oil spill, I was shocked by the severity of injuries that this can incite.
Susceptibility and effects of oil on the Scripps Murrelet:- Loss of waterproofing--> increased hypothermia/ thermoregulatory ability - Risk of infection due to skin burns - Ingestion of contaminated water --> organ damage, nutrient toxicity - Susceptibility to stress and decline in general health
The table below displays the range of injuries the Brown Pelicans had developed. As shown, emaciation is the most abundant and severe (with severe being less than 70% of release weight at intake.)
Starvation in Brown Pelicans
As observed at the SBWCC
During my first day as a volunteer, I inquired about Brown Pelicans, wondering if they are frequently brought in. The seabird team responded that in the past year, large influxes of Brown Pelicans have been admitted battling severe emaciation, lack of nutrition, and broken limbs. The cause of their condition is still unknown to them, but they predicted changing weather conditions and poor forage fish availability could have contributed.
Found at: http://www.marineornithology.org/PDF/51_2/51_2_157-168.pdf
How to help: The seabird team explained that the best way to help this species is to avoid feeding, touching, and interacting with them in their natural habitat. If you encounter an injured pelican, call the SBWCC so it can get the professional help it needs.
Data from article titled: "Restoration of Breeding by Snowy Plovers Following Protection from Disturbance"
The table shows snowy plovers displayed significant increases in nests, eggs laid, and eggs hatched. This shows a positive linkage to habitat restoration and proves that efforts to minimize foot traffic and motorized vehicles will help the population rebound.