FULL LIFE-CYCLE CONSERVATION FOR TWO LIS

General

A lack of information on the non-breeding ecology of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (WIFL) (an endangered species) and Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (a threatened species) prevents effective conservation in their wintering grounds on the Pacific slope of Nicaragua. Both species have experienced substantial population declines and partners seek to better understand the migratory routes, overwintering areas, habitat preferences, and survival rates of these two threatened species. Partners will measure these bird's presence at key sites in Nicaragua, and link migrating and wintering populations at these sites with breeding sites in North America as well as use remote sensing modeling to identify WIFL wintering habitat throughout western Nicaragua. These applied research efforts will accompany conservation actions to restore and protect habitat areas, and will build capacity for migratory bird conservation through targeted training to local biologists and through environmental education. This project will improve protection for migratory birds on private lands where partners will increase a new 60 hectare reserve and add another 200 hectares of private protected areas for bird conservation, work with farmers to restore 20 hectares of riparian habitat and work closely with farmers and ranchers to improve habitat on 1000 hectares through a range of land management strategies.