A Birdʼs Eye View
A Guide to Managing and Protecting Your Land for Neotropical Migratory Birds in the Upper Mississippi River Blufflands (condensed version)
More than half the bird species that breed in North America spend part of every year in warmer climates. In other words, more than 350 species that nest in Canada and the United States make that daunting journey thousands of miles to their winter homes in the tropics of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. These birds are known as Neotropical migratory birds, or Neotropical migrants for short. A growing list of Neotropical migrants are in trouble. Some species’ populations have declined by as much as 75% in the last 25 years. Nineteen species of Neotropical migrants that nest within the Upper Mississippi River bluffland counties of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin have been identified by states as endangered, threatened or species of special concern. If we do not alter the environmental pressures affecting these beautiful and beneficial birds, and soon, we may lose an important part of our biological systems. Neotropical migrants, like other birds, benefit our environment in many ways. For example, of Iowa’s nesting bird species with declining populations, 59% regularly eat harmful insects, while 28% regularly consume weed seeds. They also help control rodents, disperse seeds, eat carrion, become food for others—and brighten our lives. And with more than a billion dollars spent on wildlife watching in Iowa in 2001, they can brighten our economy as well. Our environment stays healthy only if a diversity of plants and animals survive, thrive and reproduce. If a member of an ecosystem is removed, the entire system is disrupted. All components interact to form a healthy environment—for wildlife and humans. Bob Hurt
The Upper Mississippi River blufflands region contains a variety of natural communities that provide crucial habitat for Neotropical migrant species.
Cerulean Warbler, by Tom Conry
Why Neotropical migrants?
Protecting threatened birds has a long and successful history. A century ago, Congress passed laws to protect several birds from near-extinction caused by hunting feathers for women’s fancy hats. A few decades later, declining waterfowl populations spurred public and private organizations to protect these species. Later in the century, DDT nearly wiped out several species (including the Bald Eagle), birds that are now recovering since DDT was banned. The challenge of protecting Neotropical migrants belongs to this generation.
Why the Upper Mississippi River blufflands?
The Mississippi River is a key migration route for many migratory birds. The ecosystems of the Upper Mississippi River blufflands region provide critical habitat for many species to breed and nest. With agricultural and development pressures, these habitats are at risk—and so are the Neotropical migrants. But there is hope. In the blufflands region, over 90% of the forested lands are privately owned, including 92% in Iowa. Private landowners can be on the front lines to protect critical habitat for these and other wildlife species. Meanwhile, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and its Blufflands Alliance partner organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota are working to improve and protect this area for the benefit of all of us.