Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: New Mexico
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Alpine tundra biomes are expected to undergo massive changes in habitat structure and function under climate change. Many populations of summit-dwelling species have already been extirpated in recent years, because they are unable to ​migrate in elevation to escape warming temperatures or habitat loss. Rosy-finches are among the most climate-threatened species in North America and are notoriously difficult to study due to breeding in high elevation cliff habitats of alpine region, though during the winter they readily approach birdfeeders in a variety of habitats. Therefore, studying wintering populations may provide important clues as to the status, structure, and trends of breeding populations. This study is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Management, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Rio Grande Bird Research, Inc. Our study will delineate connectivity among breeding areas and the southernmost wintering area in which Rosy-Finches occur, and identify long-term trends in survival and abundance. These data will help managers identify potential populations in need of conservation, and identify potential actions to support wintering populations.