The Migratory Bird Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has initiated a new strategy, the Focal Species Strategy, to better measure success in achieving its bird conservation priorities and mandates. The goal of this strategy is to identify and implement targeted management tasks necessary to change the population status of selected migratory bird species in the United States. One hundred and thirty-nine focal species (PDF), which are candidate species for focused conservation action, were selected from the list of Birds of Management Concern (BMC) developed by USFWS. Focal species selection was based on assessments of population trends, small population sizes or ranges, threats to habitats, and a variety of programmatic considerations including likelihood of conservation success. Campaigns for development and implementation of species action plans for a subset of these focal species were initiated in 2005, and more will be undertaken in future years to progressively address all focal species.
Focal Species:
