14 Nov Understanding Conservation Challenges: When Birds Cross Borders
Ever thought about what happens when a species spreads into new territory? I recently asked this question myself at a scientific conference I attended after hearing about black vultures and barred owls expanding their ranges.
For many of us, this seems simple: if an animal is showing up in a new place, we assume it must be invasive, right? But what about when these species are native to the continent, just not our particular corner of it? It gets more complex – and that’s where I want to dive in.
For those following local conservation issues, you may have heard of the Northern Spotted Owl in the Pacific Northwest. This little owl is struggling in part because another owl, the Barred Owl, has expanded its range and moved right in. Unlike a vulture or a deer that can forage more widely, these owls compete for the same resources in a very specific way. As a result, wildlife managers have proposed culling up to 500,000 barred owls in certain areas to help protect the Northern Spotted Owl’s already dwindling population. It’s one of those conservation dilemmas that raises bigger questions about how we manage and protect species in a world constantly reshaped by human activity.
This kind of range expansion isn’t unique to owls. Other animals, like coyotes and even certain vultures, are finding new habitats as human development changes the landscape. And while we can quickly label species like the lantern fly as “invasive,” what do we say when a species moves just a few states over on its own, responding to the new environment we’ve created?
At Avian Behavior International, we believe in tackling these questions head-on. Conservation is not always black and white, and it’s not just about protecting one species over another – it’s about finding ways to coexist and protect biodiversity as a whole. It’s not realistic to just say that humans need to stop taking up habitat. All of our actions, even using the internet streaming and cloud services, AI and other technology has environmental impacts. It’s a complicated world that we live in that calls for complex conversations.
This work starts with knowledge, which is why we love opening up these conversations. Our birds have supported conservation efforts from local expos to documentaries, and through our experiences, we aim to bring these conservation issues into focus for everyone who visits.
Conservation begins in our own backyard. Each time you see a Great Horned Owl, an American Kestrel, or one of our vultures, you’re looking at a species that has its own unique set of challenges. Some of them face habitat loss; others are adapting to human landscapes. By connecting with these birds, we’re reminded of how powerful education and awareness can be in preserving species and ecosystems.
So, if these topics spark a question (or maybe a whole list of questions), I invite you to join us at one of our experiences. Not only will you meet these incredible birds up close, but you’ll also learn more about how conservation challenges like this one play out in the real world. Together, we can explore what it means to protect and coexist with wildlife – even when the answers aren’t always simple.