Wildlife Specialist report

NMPIF High
Priority Species
Common ground
dove¹
Alt. B
Existing Condition
Determination by Alternative
Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G
NA NA NA NA NA
Black hawk NA NA NA NA NA
Red-naped²
sapsucker
NA NA NA NA NA
Wilson’s Phalarope NA NA NA NA NA
Rationale for
determination
Under alternatives C, D, E, F, and G, the potential effects to these species are reduced.
Unintentional take of individuals may occur, but these alternatives will not negatively
affect population levels.
¹ Species with the same determination by alternative – Elf owl, Lucy’s warbler, and summer tanager.
² Species with the same determination by alternative – Black Swift, Hammond’s flycatcher, American dipper,
MacGilvray’s warbler, and Painted red start.
*NA – No adverse effects to the population or habitat trends
Songbirds/birds from Forested and Grassland Areas
Table81: Songbird species selected to be analyzed and rationale for selection
Species Analyzed Rationale For Selection
Burrowing owl FS Sensitive Species
White-eared hummingbird¹ FS Sensitive Species
Costa’s hummingbird² FS Sensitive Species, and Focal Species representative for NMPIF HP Desert
Shrub/Grasslands
Plain titmouse Gila MIS Species representative for Piñon-Juniper/Shrub Oak Woodland
Gray vireo³ FS Sensitive Species, and NMPIF High Priority Species
¹The ponderosa pine for this group of focal species will be used to determine potential effects to other NMPIF high-priority species
that occur in this habitat type (Greater Pewee, Olive Warbler, Virginia’s Warbler, and Grace’s Warbler).
²The desert shrub and grassland analysis area for this focal species will be used to determine potential effects to other NMPIF highpriority
species that occur in this habitat type (Long-billed Curlew).
³The Piñon-juniper/shrub oak woodland analysis area for this focal species will be used to determine potential effects to other New
Mexico Partners in Flight high-priority species that occur in this habitat type (Scott’s Oriole, MacGillivray’s Warbler, Green-tailed
Towhee, Black-chinned Sparrow, Ferruginous Hawk, and Black-throated Gray Warbler).
Knight and Cole (1991) indicate that birds may respond to human activity by altering
their behavior, spatial distribution, and habitat use. Corridors created by roads can
fragment songbird habitat, and human activity within these areas may displace or disrupt
breeding activity for songbirds and other avian species (Hamann et al. 1999). For
example, the brown creeper may be affected by roads from loss of habitat, snag
reduction, fragmentation of habitat, edge effects, displacement or avoidance, and
increased depredation from predators/nest parasites (brown-headed cowbirds). Another
study found that brown creepers were twice as likely to occur in habitats that were more
than 100 m. from a road (Hutto 1995). Further researchers corroborated that creepers,
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