The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability for public review of a draft Recovery Plan for the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), a neotropical migratory bird which was listed as an endangered species in 1995. A public comment period will close on October 4, 2001.
The Draft Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Recovery Plan describes the status, current management, recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions needed to reclassify the southwestern willow flycatcher from endangered to threatened, and to ultimately delist it. The draft plan was developed by 13 scientists from various disciplines who were appointed in January 1998 by the Services Southwest Regional Director Nancy Kaufman.
"The southwestern willow flycatcher is critically endangered and can only be saved by widespread participation and support of all affected stakeholders in its range," said Kaufman. "We have tried to involve all interested parties in the recovery of this bird."
One of four currently-recognized willow flycatcher subspecies, the southwestern willow flycatcher breeds and rears young in southwestern U.S. and migrates to Mexico, Central America, and possibly northern South America during the non-breeding season. The primary reason for the birds decline is loss of riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitat throughout the Southwest.
More than 300 community representatives including ranchers, environmental representatives, water and power interests, state and federal land managers, and local governments were appointed to discuss proposed recovery actions in six geographic areas of the seven U.S. states where the bird is known to breed: Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico.
"Regional meetings were essential to developing a better understanding of specific threats within different watersheds, as well as the various activities already occurring, or that could occur, to ameliorate these threats," said Debbie Finch, Recovery Team Leader who works for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
Actions needed to recover the southwestern willow flycatcher are those that would increase and improve breeding habitat by restoring and enhancing riparian ecosystems including restoring flood cycles in some years; lessening impacts from domestic livestock, wild burros, and native grazers; securing long-term proctection of breeding habitat; managing exotic plant species; and reducing parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds.
Recovery plans are not binding documents. Rather, they prescribe activities leading to the recovery of a threatened or endangered species. Once comments to the draft recovery plan are addressed and the Service finalizes and approves it, it will serve as a blueprint of steps to conserve the flycatcher and a compass for the development of policy on conservation and management of the species.
The draft Plan will be revised and finalized based on comments received during meetings with the six regional groups, as well as comments received from the public. Comments on the draft Recovery Plan must be received on or before October 4, 2001 to receive consideration by the Service. To obtain copies of the Draft Plan, contact Greg Beatty, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona, 85021-4951; or download it from the Internet at
