Work

Assessing sustainable lethal take for great blue heron in the northeastern United States

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Conflicts between humans and avian species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act regularly occur. As such, there is a need to sustainably manage negative effects caused by birds (e.g., economic loss, risks to human health and safety) in a manner that allows protected species to increase population size or achieve stable levels. Human‐wildlife conflicts involving great blue herons ( Ardea herodias) in the northeastern United States have increased in recent years, creating a need to assess whether the level of lethal take authorized under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) migratory bird depredation permits is sustainable. We used the Prescribed Take Level (PTL) framework to assess the sustainability of take levels and determine allowable take for great blue herons. Prescribed Take Level models suggested that lethal take in the Northeast Region of the USFWS is sustainable and that cumulative authorized regional take should not exceed 2,650 individuals per year (95% Bayesian Credible Interval [283, 4,988]). Future great blue heron take assessments would benefit from more robust and contemporary estimates of population size and vital rates. We recommend further research examining great blue heron populations and demographics be conducted in this area across multiple scales (e.g., state, Bird Conservation Region, and continental) to better inform future management.

Source: Wildlife Society Bulletin

DOI: 10.1002/wsb.70023

Authors: Eric G. LeFlore, Frank F. Rivera‐Milán, Arthur B. McCollum, Aileen Lennon, Zachary S. Ladin, Bryan M. Kluever