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Abstract
Seabird research in northwestern México has increased in the last 20 years, however many areas remain unexplored and seabird colony inventories are badly needed. Coastal wetlands and adjacent islands from southern Sonora through Nayarit host large colonies of pelecaniforme and other seabirds, but surveys of these areas have been limited and localized. Seabird colonies on islands in the Gulf of California and off the west coast of the Baja California peninsula have been well documented but only for surface nesting species. Population abundance estimates for sub-surface nesting species are almost nonexistent although recent projects are beginning to address this issue. Monitoring in México is basically limited to 10 species: Brown Pelicans (
Pelecanus occidentalis), Double-crested Cormorants (
Phalacrocorax auritus), Blue-footed (
Sula nebouxi) and Brown boobies (
S. leucogaster), Heermann's Gull (
Larus heermmanni), Royal (
Sterna maxima), Elegant (
S. elegans), Gull-billed (
S. nilotica) and Least Tern (
S. antillarum), and Xantus's Murrelet (
Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) in a few colonies. It is essential to develop a network of institutions and researchers to do monitoring and research. Here, we provide an overview of seabird research and monitoring status and needs in northwestern México and conservation actions that are being done for the conservation of seabirds in this region.
Parent Publication
Citation
Eduardo Palacios, Lucia Alfaro. 2005. Seabird Research and Monitoring Needs in Northwestern México. In: Ralph, C. John; Rich, Terrell D., editors 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191. Albany, CA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: p. 151-156
