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Investigation into Abnormal Beak Growth of Red-tailed Hawks in the Pacific Northwest - Pilot Study
Completed
Since 1997, over 110 birds across the Pacific Northwest have been discovered to have abnormally elongated beaks. The majority of the affected birds have been red-tailed hawks. The cause and extent of the "long-beaked syndrome" remains unknown, making management of the issue difficult. In this study, USGS scientists trap normal beaked and abnormal beaked red-tailed hawks and sample them for physiological abnormalities. The objective of this pilot study is to determine if these methods are suitable for a large-scale study to determine the cause of beak abnormalities.
Fitzpatrick, Martin - Deputy Center Director
Phone: 541-750-1032
Email: Martin_Fitzpatrick@usgs.gov
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