Tricolored Blackbirds are a true California speciality, with the overwhelming majority of the bird's population concentrated in California's Central Valley. But loss of habitat, agriculture practices, and water scarcity have caused Tricolored Blackbird numbers to plunge up to 90%.
But all is not lost, for the past several years a partnership between conservation groups and area farmers has helped preserve thousands of acres of breeding habitat, and Tricolored numbers are on the rise.
Xerónimo Castañeda is a Conservation Project Manager with Audubon California. His work with Audubon focuses on habitat restoration and enhancement, developing multi-benefit management practices for Central Valley wetlands, farms, and groundwater recharge projects, to benefit birds and people. In addition, Xerónimo is the lead for Audubon’s Tricolored Blackbird conservation program in the Central Valley.
A native of California, Xerónimo has lived and worked from Monterey to Arcata, with short adventures along the east coast. He eventually found his way to Sacramento to work with Audubon. Away from work, Xerónimo spends time working in his garden, riding bikes, cooking, and of course birding.