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Travis L. Booms

Publications and source records attributed to Travis L. Booms.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2025

Hybridization and asymmetrical introgression between the vulnerable Gray‐Headed Chickadee and a more abundant congener, the Boreal Chickadee: Implications for conservation

Hybridization is a common process among bird species that can precipitate a mix of positive or negative species outcomes. Particularly for rare populations, detrimental effects of hybridization on demographic growth rates and genetic integrity are of serious concern. In Alaska and a small region of northwestern Canada, the endemic subspecies of Gray-headed Chickadee ( Poecile cinctus lathami ) has declined in recent decades from being locally common to being extremely rare. The more widespread Boreal Chickadee ( P. hudsonicus ) has become increasingly abundant in areas of sympatry. These changes in abundance may have led to hybridization between Gray-headed Chickadees and Boreal Chickadees. We used a series of analyses to test for signatures of introgression at mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA using historical museum samples of both species collected between 1875 and 1979 as well as contemporary Boreal Chickadee samples. In addition, we modeled Gray-headed Chickadee and Boreal Chickadee demographic histories to better understand patterns of effective population size changes and gene flow over time. Introgression of Gray-headed Chickadee nuclear DNA was detected in contemporary and historical Boreal Chickadee populations, and two first-generation hybrid backcrosses were observed in the historical Boreal Chickadee samples. Lack of mitochondrial DNA introgression or backcrossing into the Gray-headed Chickadee historical samples may be an artifact of mate scarcity during the period before local abundances of Boreal Chickadee exceeded Gray-headed Chickadees. Demographic modeling with nuclear loci estimated a low level of symmetric gene flow between Gray-headed Chickadees and Boreal Chickadees since the time of divergence. Our study suggests that hybridization may be linked to Gray-headed Chickadee declines and represents a case study of how museum collections can be used to infer introgression in a population too scarce to directly investigate.

Ecology and Evolution↗
USGS2023

A hierarchical modelling framework for estimating individual- and population-level reproductive success from movement data

Rapidly advancing animal telemetry technologies paired with new statistical models can provide insight into the behaviour of otherwise unobservable free-living animals. Changes in behaviour apparent from pairing telemetry with statistical models often occur as animals undertake key life-history activities, such as reproduction. For many species that are secretive or occupy remote areas, these life-history events are difficult to detect with conventional survey techniques, and consequently, vital rates are difficult to estimate. We present a hierarchical modelling framework, which integrates movement data observed via animal-borne telemetry and optional, infrequent survey data, to estimate individual- and population-level reproductive success. The approach combines a mechanistic movement model and survival model, and allows for assessing the effects of hypothesized individual and environmental covariates on reproductive success. We first tested our approach with simulated data, and then applied it to movement data from migratory golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos) breeding in southcentral Alaska across four breeding seasons. We show that results supported our biological hypotheses that changes in movement coincided with the timing of reproductive failures, and that changes in movement could be used to assess breeding success (and failure) at the individual and population levels. The analysis also provided evidence of inter-annual variation in population-level nest success and the timing of nesting failures. This new approach is adaptable to many species that care for young and can be tracked with telemetry devices, and can provide not only individual-level information useful for testing ecological hypotheses, but estimates of demographic parameters that can directly inform conservation and management if tagged animals are representative of the population.

Methods in Ecology and Evolution↗
USGS2022

Interannual consistency of migration phenology is season- and breeding region-specific in North American Golden Eagles

Interannual consistency (an indicator of the strength of adjustments) in migration phenology of Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) in North America is most strongly associated with the breeding region, the season, and with late-season temperature on breeding and wintering grounds. Consistency was greatest in boreal spring migration and the breeding regions of eastern Canada. Using multi-year GPS tracks of 83 adults breeding in 3 spatially distant regions (Alaska, northeast Canada, and southeast Canada), we quantified the interannual consistency of migration phenology and wintering latitude within and among individuals tracked across multiple years and the repeatability ( r ) by breeding regions and seasons. By comparing regions and seasons, we found that consistency was highest ( r > 0.85) for boreal spring migration in eastern Canada while Alaska had the lowest value ( r < 0.15). Because seasonal consistency of migration phenology was only detected in eastern Canada, we conclude that seasonal features are not a primary constraint. While regional differences in consistency were not related to differences in migratory distances, they could be the result of genetic or habitat differences. We also found that temperatures warmer than the decadal average at the region of departure delayed the start of boreal spring migration by ~10 days and advanced boreal autumn migration by ~20 days. These results suggest that warmer temperatures would reduce residence time on breeding grounds, contrary to expectations and trends found in other studies. Wide variations in migratory strategies across a species distribution can add to the list of challenges for conservation but may give migrants the capacity to acclimate to environmental changes.

Ornithology↗
USGS2022

Demographic implications of lead poisoning for eagles across North America

Lead poisoning occurs worldwide in populations of predatory birds, but exposure rates and population impacts are known only from regional studies. We evaluated the lead exposure of 1210 bald and golden eagles from 38 US states across North America, including 620 live eagles. We detected unexpectedly high frequencies of lead poisoning of eagles, both chronic (46 to 47% of bald and golden eagles, as measured in bone) and acute (27 to 33% of bald eagles and 7 to 35% of golden eagles, as measured in liver, blood, and feathers). Frequency of lead poisoning was influenced by age and, for bald eagles, by region and season. Continent-wide demographic modeling suggests that poisoning at this level suppresses population growth rates for bald eagles by 3.8% (95% confidence interval: 2.5%, 5.4%) and for golden eagles by 0.8% (0.7%, 0.9%). Lead poisoning is an underappreciated but important constraint on continent-wide populations of these iconic protected species.

Science↗
USGS2021

Alaska Landbird Conservation Plan

Alaska is a land of extremes. The diversity of its avifauna reflects the heterogeneity of its landscape, with more than 500 species of birds recorded in the state. Species inhabiting primarily terrestrial habitats, known collectively as landbirds, constitute the largest and most ecologically diverse component of the Alaska avifauna. Habitats used by landbirds range from temperate rainforests in southeastern Alaska to Arctic tundra across much of northern Alaska. Most of these landbird species are migratory, and four major global migration flyways converge on rich breeding areas in Alaska. Alaska has one endemic landbird species, the McKay’s Bunting, and is home to an impressive number of landbird populations for which it hosts a large proportion of the regional, continental, or global population. Thus, Alaska has a significant stewardship responsibility for these particular landbird species and subspecies. Habitats in Alaska remain largely pristine due to the region’s remote nature, vast size, and small human population. Alaska’s growing population and attendant economic development, however, present many challenges that could affect all wildlife, including landbirds. Threats in Alaska are often considered to be less significant than those occurring elsewhere, where habitats are being altered by more rapidly increasing anthropogenic pressures, but they carry far-reaching consequences nonetheless. Habitats and ecosystem dynamics are changing rapidly due to the magnitude of climate warming at high latitudes. As such, effective landbird conservation in Alaska requires a broad, landscape-scale approach. Conservation of landbirds over such an extensive and diverse landscape also demands that we integrate efforts in habitat management, population monitoring, research, education, and outreach at local, regional, continental, and international scales. Information on distribution and habitat requirements of landbirds should be incorporated into land-use planning decisions. Synthesizing information on distribution and population trends of landbirds is a critical, time-sensitive task. Such information should be provided in a form that is readily available to land managers and policy decision-makers. The primary objectives of this plan are to (1) describe the region and Alaska’s landbird avifauna; (2) identify species of concern, important habitats, and key information needs; (3) highlight major conservation issues and threats to landbirds; and (4) identify potential conservation actions. We first examine landbird conservation at the statewide level within broad perspectives (regional, continental, and global), then take a detailed look at the specific issues, information needs, and potential conservation actions within each Bird Conservation Region in Alaska.

Alaska↗
USGS2020

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in merlins (Falco columbarius) and cross-species amplification in gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) and peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus)

I. Background: Merlins, Falco columbarius, breed throughout temperate and high latitude habitats in Asia, Europe, and North America. Like peregrine falcons, F. peregrinus, merlins underwent population declines during the mid-to-late 20th century, due to organochlorine-based contamination, and have subsequently recovered, at least in North American populations. II. Methods and Results: To better understand levels of genetic diversity and population structuring in contemporary populations and to assess the impact of the 20th century decline, we used genomic data archived in public databases and constructed genomic libraries to isolate and characterize a suite of 17 microsatellite markers for use in merlins. We also conducted cross-amplification experiments to determine the markers’ utility in peregrine falcons and gyrfalcons, F. rusticolus. III. Conclusions: These markers provide a valuable addition to marker suites that can be used to determine individual identity and conduct genetic analyses on merlins and congeners.

Molecular Biology Reports↗
USGS2020

Ecological insights from three decades of animal movement tracking across a changing Arctic

The Arctic is entering a new ecological state, with alarming consequences for humanity. Animal-borne sensors offer a window into these changes. Although substantial animal tracking data from the Arctic and subarctic exist, most are difficult to discover and access. Here, we present the new Arctic Animal Movement Archive (AAMA), a growing collection of more than 200 standardized terrestrial and marine animal tracking studies from 1991 to the present. The AAMA supports public data discovery, preserves fundamental baseline data for the future, and facilitates efficient, collaborative data analysis. With AAMA-based case studies, we document climatic influences on the migration phenology of eagles, geographic differences in the adaptive response of caribou reproductive phenology to climate change, and species-specific changes in terrestrial mammal movement rates in response to increasing temperature.

Science↗
USGS2017

Seasonal movements of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in western North America as revealed by satellite telemetry

The Short-eared Owl ( Asio flammeus ) is a widespread raptor whose abundance and distribution fluctuates in response to the varying amplitudes of its prey, which are predominately microtines. Previous efforts to describe the seasonal movements of Short-eared Owls have been hindered by few band recoveries and the species' cryptic and irruptive behavior. We attached satellite transmitters to adult Short-eared Owls at breeding areas in western and interior Alaska in June 2009 and July 2010, and tracked their movements for up to 19 mo. Owls initiated long-distance southward movements from Alaska and most followed a corridor east of the Rocky Mountains into the Prairie provinces and Great Plains states. Four owls followed a coastal route west of the Rocky Mountains, including one owl that crossed the Gulf of Alaska. Completed autumn migration distances ranged from 3205–6886 km (mean = 4722 ± 1156 km [SD]). Wintering areas spanned 21° of latitude from central Montana to southern Texas, and 24° of longitude from central California to western Kansas. Subsequent seasonal migrations were generally northward in spring and southward in autumn; these movements were comparatively short-distance (mean = 767.5 ± 517.4 km [SD]) and the owls exhibited low site fidelity. The Short-eared Owls we tracked from two relatively local breeding areas in Alaska used a patchwork of diverse open habitats across a large area of North America, which highlights that effective conservation of this species requires a collaborative, continental-scale focus.

Journal of Raptor Research↗
USGS2011

Nest-site fidelity and dispersal of Gyrfalcons estimated by noninvasive genetic sampling

We used feathers from adult Gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) molted in breeding territories and blood samples from nestlings to document nest-site fidelity and dispersal of breeding adults and juveniles at three areas 100- 350 km apart in Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2003-2007. We used genotypes from seven polymorphic microsatellite loci that provided a mean probability of identity of 0.91 ??10 -5. Breeding Gyrfalcons were highly faithful to study area and territory; we documented no dispersals of breeding birds among study areas and only one dispersal between territories. But their fidelity to nest sites was low; 22% of birds returned to the same nest site the following year. Distance among alternate nests within a territory averaged 750 m and was similar for both sexes. Mean tenure in a territory was 2.8 years, similar for both sexes, and distributed bimodally with peaks at 1 and 4 years. Mean annual turnover rate at the Ingakslugwat Hills (Volcanoes) study area was 20%. We detected three young that established breeding territories at distances ranging from 0 to 254 km from their natal territory, representing 2.5% apparent recruitment. Gyrfalcons in the Askinuk Mountains study area were slightly but statistically significantly differentiated genetically from those in the Volcanoes and Kilbuck Mountain study areas. These data are the first published on the nest-site fidelity, breeding dispersal, and natal dispersal of the Gyrfalcon in North America and demonstrate the utility of noninvasive genetic sampling to greatly improve our understanding of avian dispersal and its underlying mechanisms. ?? The Cooper Ornithological Society 2011.

Conference Paper↗
USGS2011

Developing Gyrfalcon surveys and monitoring for Alaska

We developed methods to monitor the status of Gyrfalcons in Alaska. Results of surveys and monitoring will be informative for resource managers and will be useful for studying potential changes in ecological communities of the high latitudes. We estimated that the probability of detecting a Gyrfalcon at an occupied nest site was between 64% and 87% depending on observer experience and aircraft type (fixed-wing or helicopter). The probability of detection is an important factor for estimating occupancy of nesting areas, and occupancy can be used as a metric for monitoring species' status. We conclude that surveys of nesting habitat to monitor occupancy during the breeding season are practical because of the high probability of seeing a Gyrfalcon from aircraft. Aerial surveys are effective for searching sample plots or index areas in the expanse of the Alaskan terrain. Furthermore, several species of cliff-nesting birds can be surveyed concurrently from aircraft. Occupancy estimation also can be applied using data from other field search methods (e.g., from boats) that have proven useful in Alaska. We believe a coordinated broad-scale, inter-agency, collaborative approach is necessary in Alaska. Monitoring can be facilitated by collating and archiving each set of results in a secure universal repository to allow for statewide meta-analysis.

Alaska↗
USGS2009

Survival rates and lifetime reproduction of breeding male Cooper’s Hawks in Wisconsin, 1980-2005

There are few published data on annual survival and no reports of lifetime reproduction for breeding Cooper's Hawks ( Accipiter cooperii ). Breeding males ( n = 105) in central and southeastern Wisconsin had an annual mortality rate of 19%, or a survival rate of 81% for birds &le;10 years of age. We did not detect significant differences in mortality rates between urban and rural habitats, nor between the earlier 13 years and later 13 years of this study. Male Cooper's Hawks produced from zero to 32 nestlings during their lifetimes. Body mass or size appeared unrelated to annual survivorship and lifetime reproduction, although lifetime reproduction was correlated strongly with longevity of breeding males. Fifteen of 66 males (23%) produced most (53%) of the nestlings. Our studies occurred in an area where breeding populations may be increasing with some of the highest reported productivity indices and nesting densities for this species. Habitat used for nesting on our Wisconsin study areas may be less important for survivorship and lifetime reproduction than acquisition of a nesting area in which a male will breed throughout his life.

Wisconsin↗