| Recently, the Western U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo was designated as a threatened species under the federal endangered species act. The species has been listed as endangered in California since 1988. Surveys for the Yellow-billed Cuckoos have been conducted since the late 1970s in California, but the current survey protocol has only been in use since the late 1990s. We will discuss the history of the survey protocol and the supporting research that went into developing the survey methods. We will also discuss the management implications of the recent federal status designation, proposed critical habitat, and permitting requirements for researchers, conservation planners, and land managers. |