Science

Birds

MMNS Ornithology Research
Contact Nick Winstead

 

MMNS Ornithology Research

Research and monitoring activities carried out or administered by museum staff are focused on species of greatest conservation need, as outlined in Mississippi's State Wildlife Action Plan. Research and monitoring bird populations are essential to adequately determine the conservation actions needed and to evaluate and adjust as needed actions taken on behalf of bird conservation. Several efforts to monitor bird populations are underway in Mississippi including the Breeding Bird Survey, which targets most birds, and several others that are specific to bird groups with special monitoring needs such as Bald Eagles, secretive marsh birds and colonial waterbirds. Examples of current research and monitoring efforts include: 

• Distribution, ecology and management of Swallow-tailed Kites in Mississippi.
• Statewide Bald Eagle nest monitoring.
• Nonbreeding status, distribution, and ecology of coastal shorebirds.

 

Links of Interest

Bird Conservation Plans 

• North American Bird Conservation Initiative
• North American Waterfowl Management Plan
• Partners in Flight
• U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
• Waterbird Conservation for the Americas

 

Joint Ventures in Mississippi

• Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture
• Gulf Coast Joint Venture
• East Gulf Coastal Plain Joint Venture

Bird Monitoring

Monitoring bird populations is essential to adequately determine the conservation actions needed and to evaluate and adjust as needed actions taken on behalf of bird conservation.  Several efforts to monitor bird populations are underway in Mississippi including the Breeding Bird Survey, which targets most birds, and several others that are specific to bird groups with special monitoring needs such as Bald Eagles, secretive marsh birds and colonial waterbirds.

• Opportunities for Improving North American Avian Monitoring
• Breeding Bird Survey
• If you are interested in participating in bird monitoring efforts in Mississippi, please call (601) 576-6000 or email for more information.

 

Ornithological Societies 

• Mississippi Ornithological Society
• American Ornithological Society

Books of Interest

• Toups, J.A., and J.A. Jackson.  1987.  Birds and Birding on the Mississippi Coast. Jackson, Mississippi.  University Press of Mississippi.
• Toups, J.A., J. Bird and S.J. Peterson.  2004.  Guide to Birding Coastal Mississippi and Adjacent Counties. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  Stackpole Books.
• Turcotte, W.H., and D.L. Watts. 1999.  Birds of Mississippi.  Jackson, Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi.