AVIAN RESEARCH & CONSERVATION INSTITUTE INC

Programs

1. The Endangered Snail Kite acquires contaminants that could impair reproduction. Besides assessing toxicity, we caught Snail Kites and fitted them with satellite/GPS tracking devices to study movments, survival, and exposure to toxins lingering in the environment. In addition, we collected tracking data that will be used for risk assessments in relation to proposed wind-farm developments in south Florida. We have a recently-initiated study investigating the responses of the Snail Kites' primary prey, native and exotic species of Apple Snails, to deliberate alterations and unpredicted changes to the hydrology of the Everglades ecosystem. The intent is to learn what natural and water management factors influence Apple Snail abundance, reproduction, and available to the Endangered Snail Kites. An additional important part of this research is evaluating the numeric and biological responses of the native Apple Snails to expanding and increasing populations of invasive exotic species of Apple Snails from South America.

   $151,851 spent$129,765 earned by the program
   53% of program spending

2. Swallow-tailed Kites that breed in the southeastern United States migrate south to southern Brazil for the northern hemisphere's inter, a round-trip distance of over 10,000 miles. For many, years we have tracked this imperiled species using satellite telemetry technology to estimate the portion of their annual mortality rate associated with this arduous journey, to identify particular high-risk areas where death or injury may be more likely, to determine the extent to which they are exposed to dangerous agricultural toxins, and to document the effects of severe weather and unfavorable winds on the birds' survival. We also systematically photograph large pre-migration aggregations that occur at social night-roost (from the air each morning) to track changes and estimate trends for this vulnerable population (i.e., increasing, stable, or declining).

   $42,768 spent$34,519 earned by the program
   15% of program spending

3. Timber-managed public and private lands provide nesting and feeding habitats for birds that mimic natural conditions. This project, involving the American Bird Conservancy and several timber companies, is aimed at identifying the species and numbers of birds that are supported the American Bird Conservancy and several timber companies, is aimed at identifying the species and numbers of birds that are supported by timber-managed forests and comparing their diversity and number to typical populations of these species on public and private conservation lands. We also will produce and share recommendations for management practices that are good for both bird conservation and timber production.

   $38,442 spent$37,595 earned by the program
   14% of program spending

4. Understanding the ecology of the White Ibis, a large wading bird associated with seasonal wetlands, helps us identify the management needs of many at-risk wetland species so that we can sustain healthy, resilient populations. In 2020, ARCI began a large-scale remote tracking study of the White Ibis in Florida supported largely by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Their goal is to document the nesting and foraging behavior of this excellent indicator species on the restored floodplain of the Kissimmee River (which was converted to a large canal in the 1940s to help control water levels in favor of large-scale agriculture. Our data are demonstrating how the White Ibis is capitalizing on the increased area, food availability, and safe nesting and roosting sites within this conservation area. In addition, we are documenting the seasonal movements of this species, which cover virtually all of peninsular Florida. Our results and recommendations will support land and water managers in their efforts to restore ecologically function wetlands with more natural water-delivery schedules.

   $35,592 spent$34,056 earned by the program
   12% of program spending

5. The Florida Burrowing Owl is at risk due to rapid residential and agricultural development of the short-grass open uplands on which this increasingly rare bird relies. We assist the state wildlife agency, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in understanding how this bird responds when translocated from development-threatened locations, and also to help land managers understand the needs and threats faced by this declining species. Our research involves marking birds with unique color/number combinations for subsequent resightings and deploying small radio transmitters on adults and young to measure their home-range areas and monitor their survival.

   $6,207 spent$6,091 earned by the program
   2% of program spending

6. The Southeastern American Kestrel is an imperiled nonmigratory population that now remains only in scattered areas of northern and central Florida. We use VHF radio telemetry to study post-fledging survival and natal dispersal for this population, since the distribution and extent of this bird's essential habitat is thought to be causing the documented steady decline of this bird.

   $5,410 spent$5,873 earned by the program
   2% of program spending

7. The Crested Caracara is a federally listed as Threatened. The small non-migratory U. S. population resides year-round on central-Florida native prairies and ranchlands. We use satellite and cell phone/GPS tracking technology to determine the responses of breeding pairs to loss of nesting and foraging habitats. These habitat losses are occurring at an increasing rate and are resulting in the extirpation of this grassland species from much of its historic range in the U. S.

   $4,470 spent$4,026 earned by the program
   2% of program spending

The 7 programs described on its FY2022 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $284,740.