Yellowstone plays an important role in the conservation of two of its most remarkable bird species: peregrine falcons and trumpeter swans. Both species faced extinction during the last century, and significant conservation efforts focused on small populations that remained in the Park. As a result, Yellowstone’s peregrine falcon population has flourished. In 1999, the species was removed from the federal Endangered Species List. Early efforts to conserve trumpeter swans in the Park also showed success, with a population high of 100 individual swans in 1992. Since then, however, Yellowstone’s trumpeter swan population has drastically dwindled. Wildlife managers do not have enough information to determine why one bird species has recovered so well, while the other faces a much graver situation. Funding for this three-year research project will be used to monitor the Park’s populations of both birds and their nesting sites. Comprehensive data will be collected on the birds’ habitat and feather samples will be analyzed for potential environmental contaminants.

Total Project Cost: $43,330
Funds Still Needed: $21,665

Watch a 2-minute video on Trumpeter Swans in Yellowstone>>