A discussion of species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact the military mission should they become Federally listed.

1. DoD Mission‐Sensitive Species
Richard A. Fischer, PhD
Research Wildlife Biologist,
US Army ERDC, Environmental Lab

2. What is a DoD MSS?
Those species (and their habitats) having the
highest potential to impact the military
mission should they become Federally listed.
DoD Mission‐Sensitive Species

3. Topic 12 Migratory Bird Treaty Act 3

5. More recently, DoD PIF has identified, through a
detailed technical analysis, 16 avian species
occurring on DoD lands that may be at risk of
becoming listed under the federal Endangered
Species Act (ESA)
‐ DoD PIF designated these as ‘Mission‐sensitive Species (MSS)’ due to their
high potential to impact the military mission should ESA listing be
warranted.

6. How Were New MSS Selected?
In 2018, DoD PIF reviewed 93 migratory bird
species for their potential to be categorized
as MSS based on several migratory bird
regional and national assessment databases,
including:
 Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) trends
 National PIF overall population trend
(% population change over the last 30 years)
 National PIF overall population estimates
 National PIF Continental Combined Score
 Associated Tri‐National Concern status (Critical
Needs (CR) or Immediate Needs (IM)).

7. How Were New MSS Selected?
Other Review Criteria included whether a
species was:
1. An ESA Candidate species
2. A species currently undergoing a 12‐
month status review for ESA listing
3. A USFWS Bird of Conservation Concern
4. and/or Army Species at Risk.

8. How Were New MSS Selected?
‐ To assist this effort, we reviewed
available monitoring data and the vast
majority of DoD INRMP’s for occurrence
information
‐ We also utilized the expertise of DoD PIF
Representatives and installation Natural
Resources Professionals to evaluate
potential training impacts from any
future listings of MSS.

9. Those species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact
the military mission should they become Federally listed.
Burrowing OwlSoutheastern American Kestrel
Greater Prairie Chicken
Mountain Plover
Northern Bobwhite Greater Sage‐Grouse
DoD Mission‐Sensitive Species

10. Henslow’s SparrowBachman’s Sparrow Least Tern (Atlantic Popn)
Cerulean Warbler
Golden‐winged Warbler
Bendire’s Thrasher
Those species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact
the military mission should they become Federally listed.
DoD Mission‐Sensitive Species

11. Black RailRusty Blackbird
Tricolored Blackbird
Pinyon Jay
Those species (and their habitats) having the highest potential to impact
the military mission should they become Federally listed.
DoD Mission‐Sensitive Species

12. Topic 12 Migratory Bird Treaty Act 12
Tier 2 Species
‐ DoD PIF also categorized an additional 37 species as
“Tier 2” species
‐ The majority of these species are experiencing long‐
term declines, and have some potential relevance to
future mission impacts if federally listed, but are not
considered highest priority based on DoD PIF’s current
review criteria
‐ Proactive monitoring and management of Tier 2 species
is encouraged when and where appropriate.

13. Table 2. DoD PIF Tier 2 Species4
Scripps's Murrelet Prothonotary Warbler
Ashy Storm‐Petrel Allen's Hummingbird
Long‐billed Curlew Canada Warbler
Snowy Plover (Gulf Coast) Virginia's Warbler
King Rail Loggerhead Shrike
Elegant Tern Gilded Flicker
Eastern Whip‐poor‐will Red‐headed Woodpecker
Black‐billed Cuckoo Lewis's Woodpecker
Flammulated Owl Wood Thrush
Swallow‐tailed Kite Gray Vireo
Le Conte's Thrasher Chestnut‐collared Longspur
Golden Eagle Yellow‐billed Magpie
Greater Yellowlegs Brown‐capped Rosy‐Finch
Grasshopper Sparrow Prairie Warbler
Black‐chinned Sparrow Bell's Sparrow
Kentucky Warbler Baird's Sparrow
Blue‐winged Warbler Saltmarsh Sparrow
Olive‐sided Flycatcher Lawrence's Goldfinch
Sprague's Pipit
4 No Tier 2 species currently are Army Species at Risk, undergoing 12‐month status reviews, or proposed for ESA protection.

14. What is the Utility of this List?
‐ Help DoD NRM’s prioritize monitoring and management
efforts of those species and their habitats to help reverse
trends
‐ Help prepare installations for potential listings
‐ Identify potential mission impacts
‐ Provide management and monitoring recommendations
based on best available science
*** Note: DoD PIF Lists are not intended to supersede Military Services‐specific monitoring,
management, or funding priorities.