Birding group with binoculars.
Wildlife Research
Bird Research
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Avian Research Section conducts original research on the ecology and management of birds and their habitats. The team focuses on addressing needs for high priority bird species in the state of Colorado.
Our Work
Greater Sage-grouse
The largest grouse in North America, the greater sage-grouse is a species of state concern due to range-wide population and habitat declines. CPW is participating in a collaborative conservation effort designed to support greater sage-grouse populations and protect greater sage-grouse habitat. The Avian Research team is conducting a variety of studies to identify and evaluate different management and monitoring strategies.
Gunnison sage-grouse
Smaller than the typical sage-grouse, the Gunnison sage-grouse is a unique species of sage-grouse found south of the Colorado River. About 3,500 breeding Gunnison sage-grouse occur among seven separate populations throughout southwest Colorado and southeast Utah. Due to diminishing habitat, the species is of special concern in Colorado. CPW, along with landowners and other partners, has led conservation efforts for the Gunnison sage-grouse for decades. The Avian Research team aims to learn more about the Gunnison sage-grouse and how populations may respond to different conservation strategies.
Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse
A species of special concern in Colorado, the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a state game species. The sharp-tail has lost much of its habitat along its former range in North America. But in recent years, through the Conservation Reserve Program, which contracts private landowners to conserve habitat on their property, the sharp-tails have increased in density and distribution. CPW is working to further improve the habitat-suitability of the lands enrolled in this program to further progress the recovery of this important species.
Lesser-Prairie Chicken
A federally and state listed threatened species, the lesser-prairie chicken is found in small fragmented populations in the grasslands of southeast Colorado. In collaboration with other states and partners, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is working to conserve lesser-prairie chickens and their habitat. Current research aims to understand the factors threatening LEPC habitat and to evaluate the effectiveness of various habitat improvement treatments.
Northern Bobwhite
Northern bobwhites are a game bird found in small, isolated populations in eastern Colorado. Few bobwhites are harvested each year in Colorado due to their limited distribution and declining populations. To better understand the factors limiting bobwhite populations and distributions, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting research to evaluate potential habitat management strategies aimed to benefit bobwhites.
Waterfowl
With the onset of fall each year, thousands of hunters begin to prep for Colorado’s upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is dedicated to ensuring that all those who receive a license have a successful and satisfactory hunting experience. This involves studying the impacts of hunting management and evaluating habitat conditions and population health.
Video: "Prairie Dog Burrow Timelapse" - CPW
SPOTLIGHT
Featured Project
This is the story of how Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Avian Research and Wildlife Health Programs teamed up with partners to study and test a new plague vaccine and improve habitat for endangered black-footed ferrets and other wildlife. Avian Researchers have documented the benefits of maintaining active prairie dog colonies for many species such as ferruginous hawks, golden eagles, various grassland songbirds, coyotes, and badgers.
Meet the Research Team
Avian Research personnel also serve on various committees and working groups with other partners (state, federal, and local governments, and non-governmental organizations) in bird research and conservation.
James Gammonley
- Avian Research Section Leader
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Reesa Y. Conrey
- Avian Researcher, Prairie Birds and Raptors
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Adam C. Behney
- Avian Researcher
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
VACANT
- Avian Researcher, Sage Grouse
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Jody Hergott
- Avian Research Section Assistant
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Brett L. Walker
- Avian Researcher, Greater Sage-grouse
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Danielle Bilyeu Johnston
- Wildlife Habitat Researcher
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
VACANT
- Spatial Ecologist
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Bird Research
Research Library
The Research Library was created in the late 1960s to provide support primarily to the wildlife research sections. The Research Library evolved to serve the broader information management needs of CPW staff. Library collections are focused on wildlife ecology and associated ecological information and CPW public historical records such as Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting agendas and minutes.