Birds & Science Arkansas Birds of Conservation Interest
"While
these birds are of conservation interest in Arkansas, the
habitat where they were photographed may not accurately reflect
Arkansas habitat."
Rationale behind the ABCI list
To develop the list of Arkansas Birds of Conservation Interest,
the Important Bird Areas Technical Committee started with
National Audubon Society's Watch List. It also considered
status scores given by Partners In Flight. The Committee omitted
a few species of general conservation concern that appear
to be doing well in Arkansas (e.g. Dickcissel). On the other
hand, some species with only peripheral populations in Arkansas
are included (e.g. Rufous-crowned Sparrow). The Committee
believes that peripheral species deserve attention for three
reasons:
If every state would endeavor to retain viable populations
of all the bird species that it has today, the redundancy
built into such a multi-pronged effort would likely yield
a better result than if each state tried to aid only species
in the hearts of their ranges.
Peripheral populations may have genetically based adaptations
to factors of climate and geography that differ from the
adaptations of most other populations of the same species.
Such genotypes can be critical to the survival of a species
in times of climate change. We seem likely to be living
in such a time today.
We don't want the overall list of Arkansas bird species
to shrink in the future, and, if we can prevent it, we don't
want to have to go to another state to see species that
live in Arkansas today!
The ABCI list is subject to change whenever
the Technical
Committee deems appropriate. Below, click on a name to
see an image of the bird.
The RBA lists rare and unusual birds found throughout
the state, and if possible, directions to these birds.
To report or hear the latest sightings, call 501-753-5853.
The number is listed as J.J. Audubon in the white pages
of the phone book. This service is provided by the Audubon
Society of Central Arkansas (ASCA).
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