
SEABIRD COLONIES & ADJACENT WATERS
Working Group
FOCAL SPECIES
Justification for choosing one or more of these five species as SCAW-WG focal species
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Occur in all 5 regions (except BLSK, LETE and LAGU do not occur in Canada).
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BLSK, LETE and COTE are species of greatest conservation need in over 80% of the states in which they occur.
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BLSK, LETE and COTE are on state endangered species lists in four or more states.
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LAGU and DCCO represent species that undergo some level of lethal control for the benefit of avian conservation targets or to reduce impacts on human activities such as aquaculture.
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All 5 species utilize a variety of breeding habitats (barrier beaches, mainland beaches, ephemeral sand shoals and sand spits, salt marshes, dredge material islands, other human created islands/structures, roof-tops, etc.) and therefore would serve as good indicators on the status, quality and management needs of these habitats.
Species Atlantic Canada and US Occurrence #of States Where Species Breeds
Common Tern Yes (no special status) 13
Least Tern No 19
Black Skimmer No 16
Laughing Gull No 17
Double-crested Yes (no special status) 17 Cormorant