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Strictly for the birds

Alum's ornithological passions mean a better future for endangered Hawaiian birds

By Colleen Dixon

Blake Jones (’04) uses a technique called candling to look for fertility in a Nene egg. The Nene is Hawaii’s state bird.

Blake Jones (’04) uses a technique called candling to look for fertility in a Nene egg. The Nene is Hawaii’s state bird.

Tell Blake Jones ('04) that his work is "strictly for the birds" and he is liable to agree wholeheartedly. He spends the majority of his time wrestling with life-or-death issues facing endangered birds. Jones can tell exactly what caused his interest in avian science to take flight -- Charles Ziegenfus' three-hour ornithology labs, spent tramping around Harrisonburg. "The weekly lab started early in the morning," Jones says. "We went to different places to find and observe the various avifauna of Harrisonburg. That's when I first developed a true appreciation for birds." The biology major also had an internship in Hawaii with the San Diego Zoo conservation research department. "After that internship, I decided to dedicate the rest of my academic and professional career to the recovery of endangered birds," says Jones.

That dedication has taken Jones, a native of Chester, back to Hawaii, where he works with the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program to establish self-sustaining populations of critically endangered native birds.

Endangered bird capital

Hawaii is the endangered bird capital of the world, according to Jones, with more than half of the native bird species having gone extinct since the arrival of humans approximately 1,600 years ago. "Of the species that are left," Jones says, "many are endangered due to loss of habitat, diseases like avian pox and avian malaria and the introduction of rats and mongooses. In 1994 the HEBCP began collecting eggs and using artificial incubation and hand rearing to start a captive flock. By controlling factors such as environment, nutrition and predation, the HEBCP is able to produce healthy chicks at a higher survivability rate than is found in the wild. By releasing these birds into restored and protected habitat, we can foster self-sustaining populations of endangered birds."

All of Jones' aviculture and captive propagation experience has come through his work with the HEBCP. He names some of the successes of the program: "We've successfully developed procedures for hatching and raising 14 different endemic Hawaiian bird species. We have raised to adulthood more than 800 individual birds. Almost 200 Puaiohi (Kauai Thrush) have been released in the Alakai Swamp Wilderness Preserve, and captive raised endangered birds have been documented breeding with wild birds and successfully raising progeny." A new aspect of Jones' work is helping to identify causes of embryonic death in 'Alala -- the Hawaiian crow now extinct in the wild -- using molecular, genetic and histological techniques. "We have increased the population of 'Alala from fewer than 15 to 60 birds," says Jones.

Avian medical challenges

Extensive experience working as a veterinary technician has been a useful skill for Jones in Hawaii. "We handle most of our own medical cases," he says, "with support and long-distance consultations from San Diego Zoo veterinarians." What has been the most challenging case? "The chicks are the hardest cases because of their tiny size. Giving subcutaneous fluids and medications to something the size of a Peanut M&M can be very nerve-racking," explains Jones. "Another notable case was a 5-day-old Kauai Thrush with a severe open fracture. We had to actually remove a portion of the bone and use specially designed splints. The bird made a full recovery and is today flying free in the Alakai Swamp Wilderness Preserve on Kauai. We have been able to handle severe cases such as this despite the fact that we don't have convenient access to veterinary support."

Other medical cases Jones has handled with email and phone recommendations from San Diego Zoo veterinarians are avian malaria, avian pox, yolk sac problems, leg and wing fractures and respiratory fungal infections.

'I enjoy the process of solving problems...'

The most challenging aspect of Jones' work is the psychological stress. "A simple mistake, like not latching a door or catching a bird improperly, can mean the difference between a healthy bird and a dead one," he says. "Small things can have devastating effects on bird populations on the brink of extinction." On the other hand, Jones finds his job extremely rewarding. "I enjoy the process of solving problems to directly help Hawaii's birds, building on what others have discovered and finding new solutions to previously unanswered questions. I spend a lot of time reading scientific articles and talking to people in my field to come up with ideas for scientific investigation to answer a specific problem that will directly help the recovery of the endangered birds I work with."

Spreading the word to all ages

Educating the public about the plight of Hawaii's critically endangered birds is important to Jones. He is active in speaking to community groups, tourists, school groups and college students. "An exciting development that has materialized recently is a project idea from an art teacher from Kamehameha Schools, the largest private school in Hawaii," says Jones. "She came to our facility on a tour with 4th and 5th graders. We are now working together to put her illustrations together with my narratives about individual birds to create a collection of stories for a children's book." Such a book would expand Jones' efforts to inform young people about the importance of conservation to a much wider audience.

Jones is also discussing with researchers from San Diego Zoo conservation research a graduate research project in which he would continue to aid in the fight against Hawaiian birds' extinction. He hopes to find funding and begin the project within the next two and a half years. A partnership with Guam in its propagation program is a possibility in the near future, according to Jones. "We are very excited about the possibility," he says.

Unique birds, breathtaking night sky and 200 inches of rain

Working in the lush environment of Hawaii has good and not-so-good points. Jones says his favorite thing about Hawaii is the variety of birds. "The native birds in Hawaii are exquisitely unique and are found nowhere else. Getting to work with them is priceless. The Hawaiian night sky comes in a close second." And the not-so-good points? "I live and work in a place that gets more than 200 inches of rain each year," Jones says. "I wouldn't mind a little less. But if that happened, I would lose the beautiful rainforest around me. It's a Catch-22 situation."

What advice does Jones have for students majoring in biology? "Don't be shy. If something interests you, find out as much as you can about it. Ask questions, read research papers, apply for jobs and internships, talk to people and volunteer. Do all you can," advises Jones.

To learn more about the Hawaii Endangered Bird Conservation Program, visit: http://cres.sandiegozoo.org/projects/sp_hawaii_birds.html.

About the author

Madison magazine staff writer Colleen Dixon, is also a freelance writer and editor and has served as an officer in the Navy Reserve for more than 17 years.