The endangered Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla): 30 years of recovery management in Oklahoma, USA

The Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service in 1987. Threats were loss of early-succession scrub habitat largely to fire-suppression, and brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater). Searches in the mid-1980’s estimated fewer than 80 pairs in their historic range in Oklahoma, U.S.A. Management efforts (vegetative and cowbird control) were undertaken on public and private lands. Efforts on public lands of the Wichita Mountains increased populations from some 50-70 pair in 1987-88 to a peak estimate of >5000 by 2010. Recent decline from a drought-cycle has occurred. On private lands, efforts to increase numbers in small groups of <20 pairs had limited success, with mostly local extirpation occurring. Two isolated small clusters persist in Oklahoma of about eight and 20 pairs. The histories and circumstances for these groups will be contrasted. Isolated individuals were seldom recorded. The large increase in numbers of vireos on public lands in Oklahoma and a few other sites elsewhere has justified their delisting as endangered, a pragmatic success story.