Endangered Species of Bird in Connecticut

Sharp-shinned Hawk numbers declined during the DDT pesticide years (mid-1940s to 1972), but rebounded after DDT was banned. Sharp-shinned hawk populations declined in the 1970s due to eggshell thinning caused by pesticide contamination in their prey.

Although pesticides no longer play as large a role in the decline of sharp-shinned populations today, the species is still affected by other factors, like the loss of habitat. Collisions with plate glass doors and picture windows are responsible for the deaths of many sharp-shinned hawks annually. The glass reflects the surrounding woods and cannot be readily distinguished by a hawk chasing prey or seeking cover.

Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter

striatus)

Grasshopper sparrows have steadily declined as dry, grassy uplands and farms have reverted to forests or have been replaced by developments.

As with other ground-nesting birds, high populations of predators like raccoons, skunks and feral or free-roaming housecats have also contributed to this species' decline.

Grasshopper sparrow

(Am

modram

us savannarum

)

Long-eared owl (A

sio otus)

Long-eared owl populations are mainly limited by the loss of habitat due to land development, forest thinning and the conversion of softwood forests to hardwood forests. In Connecticut, because of changing land use practices and the decline in farming, fields have either been overtaken by development or they have reverted to forests.

They are also affected by the decline in suitable nest sites, predation and the decrease in prey abundance.

Upland sandpiper (B

artramia

longicauda)When passenger pigeon populations declined in the late 1800s, upland sandpipers became an additional gamebird. Upland sandpipers experienced a population decline due to overhunting. The birds have not been able to regain their former numbers.

American bittern (B

otaurus lentiginosus)

Comm

on nighthawk (Chordeiles

minor)

Northern harrier (Circus

cyaneus)

Sedge wren (Cistothorus

platensis)

Horned lark (Erem

ophila alpestris)

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Comm

on moorhen (G

allinula chloropus)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Yellow-breasted chat (Icteria

virens)

Yellow-breasted chat (Icteria

virens)

Black rail (Laterallus jam

aicensis)

Red-headed woodpecker (M

elanerpes erythrocephalus)

Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

Vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gram

ineus)

King rail (Rallus

elegans)

Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii)

Barn owl (Tyto alba)

Golden-w

inged warbler (Verm

ivora chrysoptera)

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325954&depNav_GID=1655