Most of the world's population of tricolored blackbirds are found in the Central Valley of California, and in the past century their numbers have declined dramatically. Most tricolor nesting occurs in a few large, temporary colonies, and often these colonies are located in grain fields that are due to be harvested days before young tricolors leave the nest. ICE research biologist Bob Meese is leading the statewide efforts to document the changes in the blackbird populations and is working with a diverse group including farmers and other landowners to detect and monitor at-risk colonies and to conserve these colonies so that the birds' efforts to reproduce are successful. Dr. Meese's work is featured in the January 9 Sacramento Bee.
