Table Of ContentHistoric, Archive Document
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Working Together to Save
a Special Bird ...
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Managing the forest for the Kirtland's Wattkr
Michigan is home to one of the world's rarest birds . . . the Kirtland's warbler.
This small, energetic bird was one of the first to be listed as endangered after
the Endangered Species Act of1973 was passed by Congress. One reason this
bird is endangered is the extremely limited area in which it nests — young jack
pine forests growing on a special type ofsandy soil in northern lower
u R. OF A^t^TUf€ Michigan. Most of these nesting areas are in Crawford, Oscoda, and
Ogemaw counties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service,
AUG >94
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan Audubon Society
are working together to save this endangered bird from extinction.
Why is this bird endangered^ (T) Limited Habitat. Over the years, (f) Cowbird Parasitism. The brown¬
humans have changed the forest and headed cowbird has spread from the
There are two main reasons why
now there is a shortage of good nesting Great Plains into Michigan and is
the Kirtland’s warbler is in danger
habitat (a place to live) for the bird. causing problems for the Kirtland’s
of becoming extinct.
The Kirtland’s warbler is very careful warbler. The cowbirds lay their eggs
in choosing where it nests. It nests in warbler nests. The warblers then
only in the northern Lower Peninsula raise cowbird young instead of their
of Michigan and nowhere else in the own.
world!
Where do the birds nest? The Kirtland’s warbler nests only in The jack pine trees in its nesting area
young jack pine forests growing on a must be just the right height (about 5
special type of sandy soil. This type of to 16 feet tall) and the trees must be
soil is found only in a few counties in spaced to let sunlight through to the
Michigan. The warblers prefer to nest ground. The sunlight helps keep the
What does a Kirtland's
in forests that are about 80 acres lower branches alive and bushy, hiding
warbler look like?
(roughly 60 football fields) or larger the Kirtland’s warbler nest beneath
with numerous small, grassy openings. them. When the trees grow larger
The Kirtland’s warbler is a
Kirtland's warblers prefer to nest in their upper branches block the sun,
small blue-gray bird with a
groups. They build their nests only on causing the lower branches to die.
bright yellow breast. This
the ground among grass or other Grasses and other plants also become
active, energetic bird
plants like blueberry bushes. less dense. The warblers then must
constantly twitches its tail
find another nesting area.
when perching and sings a
rich, loud, and clear song.
How did this bird manage to Under natural conditions, the type of trees. After the trees were cut down,
jack pine forest that attracts the wildfires burned out of control over
survive in the past^
Kirtland's warbler is produced by fire. thousands of acres. This helped create
Fire has always occurred in the forest vast areas of young jack pine trees and
and jack pine trees are dependent on this meant more nesting areas for the
fire. Heat from fire is needed to open Kirtland’s warbler. The number of
Where do Kirtland's the jack pine cones to release the seeds. Kirtland’s warblers is believed to have
warblers spend the winter^ Fire also removes plants that compete been at an all time high following the
with the pines for forest space and days of the lumberjack.
creates a bed of ash that helps the new
Kirtland's warblers spend their
seeds to grow. Fires before the 20th After the lumberjacks left lower
winters in the Bahama Islands.
century were more widespread in the Michigan, settlers moved in. New
They spend most of their time
jack pine plains of Michigan and roads and fire breaks were built. Fire
in low, brushy vegetation.
created large nesting areas for the protection was necessary to protect the
Kirtland's warbler. settlers’ homes and lives. With fewer
fires, there were fewer young jack pine
When lumberjacks moved across forests — and fewer warblers.
Michigan in the 1800s, they found
many areas with abundant jack pine
How has the Kirtland's Recognizing that the Kirtland’s results in a continuous supply of
warbler was in danger of becoming nesting habitat for the warbler and
warbler escaped extinction^
extinct, forest managers set aside forest products for the timber
special areas for this bird. In these industry.
"The Habitat special Kirtland's warbler management
Management Cycle" areas, forest managers try to imitate Good warbler management is good
what used to happen naturally. jack pine and wildlife management.
Sometimes carefully managed fires are
• Mature trees are harvested
set on purpose in small areas. In other
and used
areas, forest managers harvest some of
the old jack pine stands each year.
• Jack pine seedlings are
Then, the areas are replanted with jack Why aren't the trees cut
planted (or grow hack
naturally) pine seedlings. At least 1,200 down as soon as the warblers
seedlings are planted in each acre to move out of the area?
• Trees reach about 8 years old create good nesting conditions.
Several million seedlings are planted Although Kirtland's warblers
• Warblers begin to nest in the each year. stop using a jack pine forest
area when the trees are about 20
When the trees reach about 5 feet high years old, forest managers wait
• Trees reach about 20 years (around 8 years old), the Kirtland’s until the jack pine trees are 50
old warblers begin nesting in the area. years old before they are cut
They will continue to use the area down. At 50 years old, the jack
• Warblers stop using the until the needles on the lower pine trees are large enough to
area and use newly created branches start dying. This usually be commercially valuable.
nesting areas. happens when the trees are about 16 Trees are harvested on this 50
feet high (around 20 years old). year rotation because older trees
• Trees reach 50 years old become vulnerable to jack pine
The jack pine trees will be cut down bud worm and other insects
• Mature trees are harvested when they are about 50 years old, new and diseases. Removing older
and used . . . the cycle trees will be planted, and the cycle will trees also reduces the hazard of
starts over again start over again. Repeating the cycle wildfires.
Does clearcutting help other Kirtland’s warbler management areas also grow in the jack pine area. Just
are valuable to other animals and like the Kirtland’s warbler, many of
animals and plants?
plants. Some of the animals that share these animals and plants would
their home with the Kirtland’s warbler disappear or become scarce if the trees
include: white-tailed deer, snowshoe in the forest become too old. The
What are the harvested trees
hares, Eastern bluebirds, spruce oaks that live among the jack pines are
used for?
grouse, upland sandpipers, prairie also able to renew themselves after
warblers, and wild turkeys. Badgers, being burned or cut.
Most of the trees are sent to pulp owls, woodpeckers, beautiful
mills to be made into paper. wildflowers, blueberries, big bluestem,
Some of the jack pine trees are and other plants, such as sweet fern,
made into wood chips and are are found in the unusually dry habitat.
used for fuel or particle board. At least two kinds of threatened plants
Arent the clearcut areas If you live near one of the cleared or will attract a pair of tree swallows or
burned areas, it may look unattractive bluebirds. In a few years, Kirtland’s
unsightly?
for a while, but soon the new trees and warblers will probably move into the
other plants will start to grow. The area and you may see its yellow breast
new growth will attract snowshoe hare, flashing among the pines. You can
deer, and a variety of songbirds. proudly tell visitors that you share
Blueberries may be abundant and if your land with one of the world’s
you put up a nest box, you probably rarest and most endangered birds!
Why should we spend so much effort to Inheritance reason. If we save the Historical reason. The Kirtland’s
save the Kirtland’s warbler? Kirtland’s warbler our children and our warbler nests only in Michigan and
grandchildren will have a chance to enjoy nowhere else in the world. This bird is
People have different reasons for this special bird and its habitat in the a part of Michigan’s (and our nation’s)
wanting to save the Kirdand’s warbler; future. natural heritage and should be
preserved. Some people even think it
Ecological reason. All living things Scientific reason. Every type of plant and should become Michigan's state bird!
depend on each other to survive. If we animal is different. If we lose the
lose one type of plant or animal, then Kirtland’s warbler, we have lost a model Recreational reason. Each year,
the whole system of living things might that can never be replaced. By destroying hundreds of tourists flock from all over
be thrown off balance. Ifwe allow the a type of plant or animal, we give up the world for a chance to learn about
Kirtland’s warbler to become extinct, forever the chance to learn how valuable it and perhaps see the Kirtland’s warbler.
we may be doing much more damage might be. The land where the warbler lives is
than realized, just as if you were to pull home to other wildlife that may be
on a loose thread in your sweater. Stewardship reason. By saving the enjoyed by wildlife watchers. Some of
Kirtland’s warbler we are being good the wildlife, such as white-tailed deer
Economic reason. The jack pine trees caretakers of the land and natural and snowshoe hare, are valued game
that are cut down in the Kirdand's resources. animals.
warbler nesting areas provide valuable
wood products and jobs that are Aesthetic reason. The Kirtland’s warbler is Endangered Species Act. The Kirtland's
important to Michigan's people and a natural wonder and adds beauty to our warbler is officially listed as endangered
economy. Tourists that are attracted world. Many people enjoy watching the and is given full protection under the
by the Kirtland's warbler also have a Kirtland's warbler. Endangered Species Act. Restoring the
positive impact on the Northern Kirtland's warbler to the point where it
Michigan economy. Educational reason. The Kirtland’s warbler is no longer in danger of extinction is
is an interesting bird and its story can help required by the Act.
teach the public about birds, nature, how
humans are impacting the environment,
and how to help endangered species.
Are the number of Kirtland's Each year in early June, Kirtland's created for them by forest managers.
warblers ihcfedsing? warblers are censused by counting the However, the birds have a long way to
number of singing males. The go before they are no longer in danger
number of Kirtland’s warblers is now of becoming extinct. The Kirtland's
on the rise. Most important, there warbler won't be taken off the
has been an increase in the number of endangered species list until there are
warblers living in the special areas at least 1,000 nesting pairs.
How can I helpl • You can help brighten the future for the Kirtland’s warbler by learning more
about this bird. Participate in a summer tour of Kirtland’s warbler habitat.
Visit your local library and read books and magazine articles about the bird.
Contact one of the offices listed below for more information. Tell others
about what you’ve learned.
• Join a conservation organization, such as the Michigan Audubon Society,
that helps protect the Kirtland’s warbler.
• Find out how to manage your forest for the Kirtland’s warbler.
• Participate in the management of your Federal and State lands.
• Make a donation of time or money to a conservation organization that helps
protect the Kirtland's warbler.
• Tell your local, state, and federal elected officials how you feel about the
Kirtland’s warbler.
Where can I get more U.S. Forest Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
421 South Mitchell Street East Lansing Field Office
information?
Cadillac, Michigan 49601 301 Manly Miles Building
1-800-821-6263 1405 South Harrison Road
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Michigan Department of 517/337-6650
Natural Resources
Wildlife Division Michigan Audubon Society
Kirtland’s warbler illustration
reproduced courtesy of the artist, Natural Heritage Program 6011 West St. Joseph, Suite 403
Ann Hancock, and publishers of Box 30028 P.O. Box 80527
"The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Department KW Lansing, Michigan 48908-0527
Michigan." Lansing, Michigan 48909 517/886-9144
517/373-1263
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is a diverse organization committed to equal opportunity in employment
and program delivery. USDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political affilia¬
tion and familial status. Persons believing they have been discriminated against should contact the Secretary, US Department of Agriculture,
Washington, DC 20250, or call 202-720-7327 (voice), or 202-720-1127 (TTY).
