The Real Snowbirds of South Florida: Using Citizen Science to Assess the Ranges of South Florida's Overwintering Birdsh

Authors

Alexander V. Levine, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

Maureen A. Donnelly

First Advisor's Committee Title

Co-Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Steven Oberbauer

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Co-Committee Chair

Third Advisor's Name

Sparkle Malone

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Ornithology, Ecology, Citizen Science, Range Maps, Florida, Conservation, Migration, Overwintering

Date of Defense

6-27-2018

Abstract

The overwintering ranges of North American bird populations are shifting and the winter ranges of south Florida’s landbirds remain understudied. Expert-drawn range maps used for scientific studies and environmental public policy could therefore be depicting inaccurate ranges for many migratory birds. This study used citizen science data from eBird (2001–2017) to evaluate patterns in overwintering avian species richness and identify discrepanciesin expert-drawn species range maps for overwintering passerines in south Florida. Most of Florida’s overwintering bird species were sighted in south Florida. Of the species observed there between 2001 and 2017, 66% had range map discrepancies. Fifteen target species were examined in the present study and fourteen of them were sighted in south Florida throughout the winter. None of these were depicted on range maps as overwinterers. These results showed that current expert-drawn range maps likely misrepresent the current winter ranges of passerine species in south Florida.

Identifier

FIDC006866

Recommended Citation

Levine, Alexander V., "The Real Snowbirds of South Florida: Using Citizen Science to Assess the Ranges of South Florida's Overwintering Birdsh" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3769.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3769