MMNS Ornithology Research
Contact Nick Winstead

birds research
Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus photo by Jennifer Coulson

Research and monitoring activities carried out or administered by museum staff are focused on species of greatest conservation need, as outlined in Mississippi's State Wildlife Action Plan. Research and monitoring bird populations are essential to adequately determine the conservation actions needed and to evaluate and adjust as needed actions taken on behalf of bird conservation. Several efforts to monitor bird populations are underway in Mississippi including the Breeding Bird Survey, which targets most birds, and several others that are specific to bird groups with special monitoring needs such as Bald Eagles, secretive marsh birds and colonial waterbirds. 

Examples of current research and monitoring efforts include: 

  • Distribution, ecology and management of Swallow-tailed Kites in Mississippi.
  • Statewide Bald Eagle nest monitoring.
  • Nonbreeding status, distribution, and ecology of coastal shorebirds.

Links of Interest

Bird Monitoring

Monitoring bird populations is essential to adequately determine the conservation actions needed and to evaluate and adjust as needed actions taken on behalf of bird conservation.  Several efforts to monitor bird populations are underway in Mississippi including the Breeding Bird Survey, which targets most birds, and several others that are specific to bird groups with special monitoring needs such as Bald Eagles, secretive marsh birds and colonial waterbirds.

 

Books of Interest
  • Toups, J.A., and J.A. Jackson.  1987.  Birds and Birding on the Mississippi Coast. Jackson, Mississippi.  University Press of Mississippi.
  • Toups, J.A., J. Bird and S.J. Peterson.  2004.  Guide to Birding Coastal Mississippi and Adjacent Counties. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.  Stackpole Books.
  • Turcotte, W.H., and D.L. Watts. 1999.  Birds of Mississippi.  Jackson, Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi.