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- All Subjects: Bird populations
- All Subjects: Rare animals
- Creators: Pima County (Ariz.). County Administrator's Office
Most of the owls until just the last couple of years have been found in residential areas in northwest Tucson. It take a lot of cooperation on the parts of private residents to help get the work done. These are incredible little birds that fill an interesting role in the environment since they are more diurnal versus nocturnal. Our objective is to gather as much information as fast as possible to feed into the process to make this County plan based on the best available science that we have.
The historical range of the ferruginous pygmy-owl included areas of southern Arizona, southern Texas extending south along both coasts in Mexico, through Central America into the southernmost population in Argentina. However, over the past 150 years urban and agricultural expansion within the United States has reduced its population to a few isolated pockets of uncertain stability.
The Arizona population of the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 1997. Historical records and recent surveys definitely show a decline of species. There is a wealth of historical information out there and it still trickles in every day.
The most complete version assembled of the story of the 56 plants and animals in Pima County that are in need of protection under the SDCP. Three years ago when discussions began about creating a multi-species protection plan, there was no comprehensive inventory of the resource base.
Recommends which of the over 100 vulnerable species of concern in Pima County should be considered for coverage under the County's future permit and further analyze approximately 50 animals and plants as potentially covered species under the multi-species conservation plan.
Pima County contracted with Arizona Game and Fish Department to conduct telemetry analysis and gather information that would lead to effective conservation and recovery initiatives for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl. During 1997, banded birds were monitored. Beginning in 1998 and during 1999, pygmy-owls were radio-marked with backpack transmitters and followed on foot or by vehicle.
Provides a detailed description of plants and animals that are being considered as potentially covered under the multi-species program, organized by taxonomic group. Two strong themes emerge when this compilation of species accounts is read together: one is the enormous importance of aquatic and riparian-based habitats to the majority of priority vulnerable species, and the other is the very bleak biological status of the riparian system.