Vote for Audubon California’s 2009 Bird of the Year

In an effort to raise awareness about bird conservation in California, Audubon California this year will recognize its first Bird of the Year. And while our Board of Directors has selected six finalists for the award, you the public will have the final say.

Vote below for the bird species you believe deserves the recognition. Vote as many times as you like.

Votes will be accepted through Dec. 7, 2009, and those who vote will be the first to learn the winner.

This is a conservation award. We’re particularly interested in recognizing bird species that were of significant conservation interest in 2009, but that also had a compelling story and rallied the public around it. Scroll down to cast your vote!

	California Condor One of state’s most iconic birds, the California Condor has been listed as endangered since 1972. Reduced to only 22 individuals in 1982, the species has recovered to more than 335 birds (180 in the wild). In 2009, the bird continued to make news in relation to the ban on lead ammunition in its range, as well as the efforts of many to safeguard its habitat. More.
	Brown Pelican A spectacular feature of our coastlines, the Brown Pelican this year celebrated a stunning comeback from near collapse due to DDT in the 1970s. The bird was removed from both the federal and state Endangered Species Lists this year. An unusual, but thankfully limited, die-off of the birds took place early in 2009. More.
	Peregrine Falcon The Peregrine Falcon was one of the first birds to be listed on California’s Endangered Species List. Under the protection of this listing, the species has stages a remarkable recovery, which culminated in its being removed from the list in 2009. The bird’s popularity continues to prompt a variety of groups to continue to closely monitor its recovery. More.
	Acorn Woodpecker While the Acorn Woodpecker continues to thrive in California, the species became an unexpected rallying point in 2009 when a Northern California retirement community got a permit to shoot as many as 50 because the birds were damaging buildings. Thousands of people answered Audubon California's call to ask to have the permit revoked. More.
	Yellow-billed Magpie A California endemic, the Yellow-billed Magpie has been hit hard in recent years by habitat loss, pesticide, and West Nile Virus. Research by Audubon California revealed that the bird could lose up to 75 percent of its range due to climate change. Our statewide survey of the bird this year attracted hundreds of volunteers and educated many more about its plight. More.
	Western Snowy Plover The Pacific Coast population of the Western Snowy Plover has been listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1993. A variety of public agencies and nonprofit conservation are involved in the bird’s recovery, including Audubon chapters up and down the coast. Chapters protect breeding sites, increase awareness, and rally public support. More.
Photo credits: condor, Kramer/USFWS; pelican, John Van de Graaff; falcon, Mike Baird; woodpecker, USFWS, magpie, Glen Tepke; plover, Mike Baird.