Population trends and management opportunities for neotropical migrants

The Breeding Bird Survey shows that certain Neotropical migrant songbird populations have been declining over the past 26 years. Among them are forest birds that require extensive forest on the breeding grounds and also forested habitats on tropical wintering grounds. Other species have shown significant declines only since the early 1980's. Birds with broader habitat tolerance, such as those that winter commonly in agricultural and early-successional habitats as well as primary forest, show fewer consistent declines. Several grassland species have also been declining for more than two decades. Populations of many other Neotropical migrants have been stable or increasing over these periods. Examples of 26-year population trends are given. A dozen recommendations are given for managing nesting habitat for Neotropical migrants.