Yuma Ridgway’s Rail wandering out of the cattails – Salton Sea, California (photo by Asch McDonald).

Secrets of the Marsh – What the Birds Don’t Know Might Be Killing Them

Selenium is an increasingly common toxin found within N.A. wetlands due to its accumulation in agricultural drainage water. Researchers are studying the impacts of this contaminant on the endangered Yuma Ridgway’s Rail.

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Tracking a Secretive Marsh Bird through the Desert

With strong legs and large feet, rails are superbly adapted to their secretive, marshy habitat. Little did we know that these birds are also capable of migratory feats and using desert habitat, changing the game plan for species recovery efforts.

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Audubon Arizona staff and interns ground-truth emergent marsh vegetation in order to train the model.

Habitat Prioritization Modelling for Yuma Ridgway’s Rail

With funding support from the SJV Awards Program, Audubon Arizona is leading the way to make including rail habitat a priority in conservation and development planning in the Phoenix area.

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