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Golden-cheeked Warbler PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Cree   
Monday, 23 February 2009

Golden-cheeked Warbler

Jackie asked me why this bird was endangered and if it was due to habitat destruction, to which I replied:

 

This bird only breeds on the Edwards Plateau of Texas.

I do not know why. As you can see, he is related to the Black-throated Green , and Hermit Warblers.

They do strip the bark (it literally comes of in strips) off the Ashe Juniper to use as nest material. But there are other junipers in other parts of the U.S. that have the same type of bark----- so, why just this area of Texas??

I do not know---But, yes, habitat destruction---the ranchers bulldoze over the junipers for grazing of cattle.---is the main reason for their decline. There weren't that many to begin with, anyway, since their breeding range was so small.

In America, the Endangered Species Act can only be enforced on public land. The private land of the ranch owners is fair game to destroy habitat as long as the activity is a lawful activity---- and, cattle ranching is, indeed, a lawful activity----and if in the process, nests in trees are destroyed and burned, the federal government is helpless to do anything on private land.

In similar areas, the Black-capped Vireo also breeds and it is even MORE endangered--- I do not have a photo of it---YET---Wink

 

for more pix of this bird

» 2 Comments
1Comment
at Monday, 23 February 2009 13:19by Laine
what a magnificent bird! One of nature's mysteries when it comes to it breeding specifically only in one area.... 
 
i wonder if the powers that be would consider an experimental relocation to other juniper areas?
2Comment
at Monday, 23 February 2009 15:56by Candys Style
Welcome, David! 
This warbler is a beautiful bird and you got great shots of it!  
I find it odd that this Warbler is endangered but the other two related to it (mentioned above) aren't?
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