Tropical Bird Program
The Jabiru is a large member of the stork family, standing 5 feet tall with an 8 foot wingspan. It is a species of high conservation concern in Belize. BRI is working with the Belize Zoo to better understand mercury body burdens in this fish-eater
The tropical bird program is being established to examine the potential harm of environmental contaminants in terrestrial and marine tropical ecosystems. BRI will distribute scientific findings to host country governmental agencies, universities and environmental groups.
Program Director
David Evers
207.839.7600, ext. 101
Program Goals
- To determine contaminant levels in fish and wildlife in tropical biomes
Current BRI Projects
- Determine mercury exposure in terrestrial tropical birds in Belize
- Investigate mercury exposure in marine tropical birds
Geographic Focus
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
Recent Reports, Papers and Presentations
- Evers, D.C. and DeSorbo, C.R. 2008. Preliminary assessment of Osprey nests in southern Belize: developing future monitoring and sampling programs. Report BRI 2008-07, BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, Maine. pdf
- Evers, D.C. 2008. Mercury in terrestrial birds of Belize. Report BRI 2008-05. BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, Maine. pdf
- Evers, D.C., M. Duron, D.A. Cristol, G. Boese, R. Cal, V. Piaskowski, R. Reneau, S. Reneau, M. Teul, and D. Tzul. Mercury in Neotropical Migrants - First-time Comparisons BetweenTemperate and Tropical Zones. 4th International Partners in Flight Conference in McAllen, TX.
