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Behavioral Ecology of the Micronesian Kingfisher in Pohnpei: Use of a Surrogate Subspecies in the Recovery of Kingfishers from Guam
Completed
The Guam Micronesian kingfisher is extinct in the wild and only occurs in zoos in the United States. In a comprehensive study, molecular markers were used to identify the genetic relatedness among the captive birds so managers could develop a viable breeding strategy and plans for release of the birds back to Guam. Wild Micronesian kingfishers living on Pohnpei also were studied to help develop release plans. Researchers discovered that the Pohnpei birds, hence likely the Guam birds, were cooperative breeders, which means that offspring from previous nests stayed with the parents to help raise the chicks. This was a key clue to improving success in the captive Guam birds because previously older chicks were taken away from parents. Scientists also learned that kingfishers on Pohnpei were highly territorial, an important fact if their dispersal options are limited by territory vacancies and forest resources as might be the case for the Guam birds. The killing of one sibling by another was also observed which underscores the importance of understanding evolutionary history of the birds.
Kesler, D.C., Haig, S.M., 2007, Multiscale habitat use and selection in cooperatively breeding Micronesian kingfishers: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 71, no. 3, p. 765-772. [Highlight] [FullText] copyrighted material courtesy of The Wildlife Society Catalog No: 1576 Kesler, D.C., Haig, S.M., 2007, Conservation biology for suites of species- Demographic modeling for Pacific island kingfishers: Biological Conservation, v. 136, p. 520-530. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1662 Kesler, D.C., Haig, S.M., 2007, Territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal in cooperatively breeding Micronesian kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii): Auk, v. 124, no. 2, p. 381-395. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1744 Kesler, D.C., 2006, Population Demography, Resource Use, and Movement in Cooperatively Breeding Micronesian Kingfishers: Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University - PhD Dissertation, 195 p. [FullText] Catalog No: 1674 Kesler, D.C., Lopes, I.F., Haig, S.M., 2006, Sex determination of Pohnpei Micronesian kingfishers using morphological and molecular genetic techniques: Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 77, no. 2, p. 229-232. [Highlight] [Abs] [FullText] Catalog No: 1537 Kesler, D.C., Haig, S.M., 2005, Microclimate and nest-site selection in Micronesian Kingfishers: Pacific Science, v. 59, no. 4, p. 499-508. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1442 Kesler, D.C., Haig, S.M., 2005, Selection of arboreal termitaria for nesting by cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii: Ibis, v. 147, no. 1, p. 188-196. [Highlight] [FullText] Catalog No: 1333 Kesler, D.C., 2002, Nest-site Selection in Cooperatively Breeding Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina reichenbachii)- Does Nest-site Abundance Limit Reproductive Opportunities?: Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University, 86 p. [FullText] Catalog No: 1343
Morphological Measures for Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers (Todiramphus cinnamominus reichenbachii)
Haig, Susan M. - Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist
Phone: 541-750-7482
Email: susan_haig@usgs.gov
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