Projects
Conservation Genetics of Threatened Swainson's Hawks
The Swainson's Hawk is a state-listed threatened species in California and is believed to be in decline (CDFG 2002; England et al. 1997). Once flying throughout lowland regions of California, now Swainson's hawks are found only in portions of the Central Valley and Great Basin regions where suitable nesting and foraging habitat still remains. Estimated numbers have dropped from over 17,000 pairs in the early 1900's to 800 pairs (1994). We are working with the California Swainson's Hawk Technical Advisory Committee to supply information about genetic diversity, population structure, and taxonomic distinctiveness of Swainson’s Hawks in California.
Publications
- Joshua M. Hull, Richard Anderson, Michael Bradbury, James, Estep, Holly B. Ernest. In press 2007. Population structure and genetic diversity in Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni), implications for conservation. Conservation Genetics.
- Hull J.M., W. Savage, J.P. Smith, N. Murphy, L. Cullen, A.D. Hutchins, H.B. Ernest. In press 2007. Hybridization among Buteos: Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) × Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology.
- Hull J.M., D. Tufts, J.R. Topinka, B.P. May, H.B. Ernest. 2007. Development of 19 microsatellite loci for Swainson’s Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) and other Buteos. Molecular Ecology Notes.
Swainson's Hawks at the California Department of Fish and Game:
Swainson's Hawk species description
