Measuring the Effects of West Nile Virus on Wild American Kestrel Populations in Colorado

Research Task: 8327CN9.4.0
Task Manager: William Iko

FORT scientists are monitoring American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) to (1) assess the annual inception and level of occurrence of West Nile virus (WNV) among these birds at several sites along the Colorado Front Range and (2) compare survival and reproduction parameters between infected and non-infected individuals within the sampled population. These results will be compared with population data collected prior to the outbreak of WNV in Colorado to assess whether changes in population numbers have occurred over time. Investigators expect that study results will yield insights as to how WNV might be impacting these raptor species in Colorado, and how WNV could be affecting other raptor populations in the wild.

 For more information contact William Iko