Status of neotropical migratory birds in the Northeast: a preliminary assessment

Abstract

The Northeast Region encompasses a diversity of habitats, from the coastal plain of Virginia to the boreal spruce-fir forests of northern Maine, with a varied group of neotropical migratory bird species occupying these habitats. The geographic area of concern in this analysis includes the states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, corresponding to Administrative Region 5 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). These states represent Administrative Regions 1, 2, and 3 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and parts of the Eastern and Southern Regions of the U.S. Forest Service. Portions of 16 physiographic strata, as defined by the USFWS Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), are included in the Northeast Region. A total of 132 species of neotropical migratory birds from Lists "A" and "B" (as defined by the "Preliminary Lists of Migrants for Partners in Flight," published in the Partners in Flight Newsletter, vol. 2, no. 1, p. 30), occur regularly in the Northeast Region. Of that species complement, 88 (66.7%) are List A species and 44 (33.3%) are List B species. There are no List C or D species in the Northeast Region. Of the species that regularly occur in the Northeast Region, 77 occur only as breeding species, 49 breed and winter in the region, 5 only winter in the region (Merlin, American Pipit, Orange-crowned Warbler, White-crowned Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow), and one species (Connecticut Warbler) occurs in the region only as a migrant. In addition, all 132 species are represented as migrants through the region.

Parent Publication

• Status and management of neotropical migratory birds

Citation

Smith, Charles R.; Pence, Diane M.; O''Connor, Raymond J. 1993. Status of neotropical migratory birds in the Northeast: a preliminary assessment. In: Finch, Deborah M.; Stangel, Peter W. (eds.). Status and management of neotropical migratory birds: September 21-25, 1992, Estes Park, Colorado. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-229. Fort Collins, Colo.: Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service: 172-188