Protected Species: Colonial Waterbirds

• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior 2005
• Subjects: animals; beach; birds; coastal zone; community awareness; conservation; endangered species; habitats; protected areas; threatened species; colonial waterbird; gull-billed tern; black skimmer; least tern; common tern; Common tern
• Online Access: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?projectId=13331%26documentID=12699; http://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.1/NJEDL.Pamphlet.n4280

This brochure gives information about 'Colonial waterbirds', which refers to different bird species that share two traits: (1) they gather in large groups/colonies during the nesting season and (2) they feed almost exclusively from the water. Colonial waterbirds include herons, egrets, pelicans, terns, skimmers, etc. Several species of early successional nesters (those who nest on sand) are a growing concern as their numbers have dramatically declined. In North Carolina, the gull-billed tern is listed as Threatened, and --just as in New Jersey-- the black skimmer and least tern as species of special concern. The brochure discusses the life history of colonial waterbirds and the threats they face. It also discusses Colonial Waterbirds on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.