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Welcome to the website of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Working Group for Conservation of the black rail. This workgroup is focused on bringing together biologists and land managers towards restoration and management of the black rail. Working with a host of partners, our hope is to create a forum for the exchange of ideas on black rail ecology, status, threats, and conservation.
The black rail may be the most endangered bird species along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of North America. It is unlikely that black rails will persist in many portions of this range without timely and appropriate conservation action.
Two specific goals of this workgroup will be to create a multi-authored Status Assessment and a Conservation Action Plan.
Black rail populations have been declining in the eastern United States for over a century resulting in a retraction of its breeding range, an overall reduction in the number of breeding locations within its core range, and a loss of individuals within historic strongholds. Over the past 10-20 years, some reports indicate that populations have declined 75% or greater and have become dangerously low. Recent evidence suggests that black rails may only breed in a dozen or fewer places in each state along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Read more about the Population Status of black rails >>
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The black rail is not federally listed as endangered or threatened despite is extremely low population levels that appear to be dramatically in decline. Black rails are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
Black rails are only provided special legislative protection in 6 of 11 states where it breeds along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts by inclusion on state threatened/endangered lists. |
The reason for the dramatic decline of black rails is not completely known but may be a result of one or more factors. Negative impacts include habitat loss and degradation, predation, and environmental contaminants.
Read more about Threats to black rail populations >>
Call for Working Group Partners
The Center for Conservation Biology is establishing an Atlantic and Gulf Coast working group with the objectives of developing a status assessment and producing a conservation plan for the black rail. It is our hope that the collective efforts of a broad range of concerned agencies and biologists will change the tide and lead to a sustainable recovery. We are inviting participants that want to become involved in a concerted effort to exchange ideas and develop approaches for conservation. This Eastern Black Rail Conservation & Management Working Group will benefit from partners that can share information on the species local status and decline, as well as expertise on approaches to black rail management.