CHAPTER IV: WILDLIFE HABITATS FOR MISSISSIPPI’S SGCN,
THREATS AND CONSERVATION ACTIONS^243SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED ASSOCIATED WITH
MAINLAND BEACHES
GROUP SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME TIER
Birds Charadrius wilsonia Wilson's Plover 1
Haematopus palliatus American Oystercatcher 1
Laterallus jamaicensis Black Rail 1
Egretta rufescens Reddish Egret 2
Charadrius melodus Piping Plover 2
Sterna nilotica Gull-Billed Tern 2
Sterna antillarum Least Tern 2
Rynchops niger Black Skimmer 2
Pelecanus occidentalis Brown Pelican 2
Limosa fedoa Marbled Godwit 2
Calidris canutus Red Knot 2
Sterna maxima Royal Tern 2
Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern 2
Egretta caerulea Little Blue Heron 2
Eudocimus albus White Ibis 2
Calidris alpina Dunlin 3
Calidris mauri Western Sandpiper 3
Egretta thula Snowy Egret 3
Egretta tricolor Tricolored Heron 3
Nycticorax nycticorax Black-Crowned Night-Heron 3
Nycticorax violaceus Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron 3
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American White Pelican 3
Migrant Shorebirds
Reptiles Malaclemys terrapin pileata Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin 2
THREATS TO MAINLAND BEACH COMMUNITIES
Industrial Development high
Channel Modification: Maintenance Dredging high
Invasive Species: Fire Ants high
Miscellaneous Threats Described: Excessive Nest Depredation high
Urban/Suburban Development medium
PRIORITY CONSERVATION ACTIONS
A Plan and conduct additional research (i.e. habitat needs, status surveys, breeding status, disease,
etc.) on SGCN.
A Encourage restoration and improved management of altered/degraded habitat when possible.
A Encourage retention, preservation, and conservation of remaining natural habitat through