important aspect of maintaining statewide information on species that are either more 

 vulnerable, less visible, or experiencing range or population decline. Rare bird 

 sightings are requested to be submitted on the rare bird report form (Appendix E). 



Neotropical Migratory Species 



There are many birds that breed or migrate through f\/lontana and spend their winter 

 in the "neotropics" (Central and South America). Recent evidence suggests that 

 populations of some of these bird species may be declining. Thus, in 1990 the 

 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation proposed a major initiative for the conservation 

 of migratory land birds that breed in North America and winter in neotropical countries. 

 Several major federal land management agencies, conservation groups, state fish and 

 wildlife agencies, and academics have joined to develop the Neotropical Migratory Bird 

 Program. This collaborative effort attempts to determine the causes for declines in our 

 migratory bird populations. Part of this effort involves identification of species 

 vulnerable to declines from either of the two primary causes suggested: fragmentation 

 of breeding ground habitat in the U.S. and Canada, and loss of wintering habitat in 

 Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. 



A major initiative for research, monitoring, and management of migratory landbirds, 

 has been established at the national and local levels. We have listed the Neotropical 

 Migratory Bird species known to occur in Montana (Appendix B). The species included 

 in the program are both long- and short-distance migrants. Wintering zones for 

 species are identified and nicely handled in the "Conservation" subheading of The 

 Birder's Handbook (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Additional information and activities are being 

 developed by the local Montana Steering Committee of the Neotropical Migratory Bird 

 Program, including a handbook, monitoring activities, study of habitat relationships, and 

 international partnerships. For additional information on local activities, contact the 

 Neotropical Migratory Bird Program Coordinator, Wildlife and Fisheries, U.S. Forest 

 Service Northern Region, P.O. Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807. 



