Golden-cheeked Warbler
Westcave Preserve provides a unique patchwork of different habitats for resident and migrant bird species alike. Westcave is currently home to 163 bird species. Many of these species are neotropical or grassland birds which have declined dramatically over the past 40 years in North America.
HOW WE MONITOR WARBLERS
As part of a focused effort for avian research at the Preserve, our conservation staff joined with the City of Austin, and Travis County on their species-specific monitoring program of the Golden-cheeked Warbler. This includes surveys and banding of our warblers to keep track of their dispersal, survival rates, and their return rates.
Territory Mapping
During the breeding season, conservation staff repeatedly survey specific areas of the preserve to track individual singing activity and movement patterns. This helps us estimate the number of breeding territories within the preserve.
Banding
With our regional partners, birds are safely captured, fitted with lightweight colored leg bands, and released. These bands allow researchers to identify individual birds in future seasons and learn more about survival, movement, and return rates.
Protecting Native Songbirds
During the breeding season, Westcave also monitors Brown-headed Cowbird activity. Cowbirds are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. This can reduce the success of native songbirds, including Golden-cheeked Warblers.
As part of regional conservation efforts, cowbird management helps give native birds a better chance to successfully raise their own young.