What Have I Learned about Broadleaf Forest Migrants from Long-term Attendance at Migrant Bird Symposia?

Abstract

Our understanding of the ecology and conservation of migratory birds has changed dramatically in the past 25 years. In the Smithsonian symposium of 1977, scientists shifted from the idea of North American birds invading the tropics to that of tropical birds using the temperate zone, with little mention of conservation. By the Manomet meeting of 1989, declines on the breeding grounds led to our focus on conservation and answering, "Where have all the birds gone?" The first Partners in Flight meeting in 1992 had a strong management focus and provided much of the theory used in PIF bird conservation plans that are still being developed. Fewer meetings occurred in the past decade but research progress continued. Here, I synthesize what we have recently learned about the ecology of migrant birds during breeding, winter, and migration periods. I also note what I feel we have yet to learn to design effective conservation plans for the future.

Parent Publication

• 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 and 2

Citation

Faaborg, John. 2005. What Have I Learned about Broadleaf Forest Migrants from Long-term Attendance at Migrant Bird Symposia?. 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. 277-284