[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]
Posted by Brian Rapoza on 08:40:32 02/16/07
In Reply to: Wood Stork - Endangered posted by Raj
There are about 5,000 pairs of Wood Storks in Florida, and it is not uncommon to find them in suitable habitat near urban areas. Wood Stork nesting success is highly dependent on natural seasonal fluctuations in water levels; following is an explanation, from the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species website (http://www.fws.gov/Endangered/i/b/sab5z.html) that may help to explain why Wood Storks are listed as endangered: "Wood storks have a unique feeding technique and require higher prey concentrations than other wading birds. Optimal water regimes for the wood stork involve periods of flooding, during which prey (fish) populations increase, alternating with dryer periods, during which receding water levels concentrate fish at higher densities coinciding with the stork's nesting season. Loss of nesting habitat (primarily cypress swamps) may be affecting wood storks in central Florida, where nesting in non-native trees and in man-made impoundments has been occurring recently. Less significant factors known to affect nesting success include prolonged drought and flooding, raccoon predation on nests, and human disturbance of rookeries".
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TAS BirdBoard ] [ FAQ ]