Convention Between The United States of America And The Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics Concerning The Conservation Of Migratory Birds And Their Environment, With Joint Declaration

Filename: 1976-US-USSR-MigratoryBirds.EN.txt

Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Environment

Source: http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/USSR_Mig_Bird_Treaty.pdf, downloaded 20120629

Convention signed at Moscow November 19, 1976;

Ratification advised by the Senate of the United States of America July 12, 1978;

Ratified by the President of the United States of America July 31, 1978;

Confirmed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics September 11, 1978;

Ratification and confirmation exchanged at Washington October 13, 1978;

Proclaimed by the President of the United States of America October 31, 1978.

With joint declaration.

CONVENTION

Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Concerning the Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Environment

The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,

Considering that migratory birds are a natural resource of great scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural, education al, recreation al and eco logical value and that this value can be increased under proper management;

Recognizing that many species of birds migrate between the United States and the Soviet Union or that species of birds which occur in the United States and the Soviet Union have common flyways, breeding, wintering, feeding or moulting areas which should be protected;

Considering that effective protection of migratory birds and their environment requires substantial national effort, but recognizing that international cooperation in this area can provide significant assistance;

Recognizing that certain species of birds in both countries are endangered and in need of particular protective measures;

Desiring to cooperate in implementing measures for the conservation of migratory birds and their environment and other birds of mutual interest;

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE I

1. In this Convention, the term "migratory birds" means:

(a) The species or subspecies of birds for which there is evidence of migration between the Soviet Union and the United States derived as a result of banding, marking or other reliable scientific evidence; or

(b) The species or subspecies of birds, populations of which occur in the Soviet Union and the United States and have common flyways or common breeding, wintering, feeding, or moulting areas, and for these reasons there exists or could exist an exchange of individuals between such populations. The identification of such species or subspecies will be based upon data acquired by banding, marking, or other reliable scientific evidence.

2. In this Convention, the term "competent authority" means a national scientific or management agency authorized by the Contracting Party to implement the activities under this convention. At the time of entering into force of this

Convention, the Contracting Parties shall notify each other of their competent authorities for migratory birds pursuant to this Convention.

3. (a) A list of species and subspecies of birds by families, determined to be migratory in accordance with Paragraph I of this Article, is set forth in an Appendix to this Convention entitled "Migratory Birds";

(b) The competent authority of each Contracting Party shall be authorized by its government to review the "Migratory Birds" Appendix, and, if necessary, make recommendations for amendments thereto. The Appendix shall be considered amended upon the date when such recommendations are accepted by the competent authority of the other Contracting Party.

4. This Convention shall apply:

(a) For the United States of America: To all areas under the jurisdiction of the Unites States of America.

(b) For the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics: To all territories under the jurisdiction of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

ARTICLE II

1. Each Contracting Party shall prohibit the taking of migratory birds, the collection of their nests and eggs and the disturbance of nesting colonies. Also, any sale, purchase or exchange of these birds , whether dead or alive, or their nests or eggs, and any sale, purchase or exchange of their products or parts, shall be prohibited. The importation and exportation of migratory birds and their nests, eggs, parts, and products shall also be prohibited. Exception to these prohibitions may be made on the basis of laws, decrees or regulations of the respective Contracting Parties in the following cases:

(a) For scientific, educational, propagative, or other specific purposes not inconsistent with the principles of this Convention;

(b) For the establishment of hunting seasons in accordance with Paragraph 2 of this Article;

(c) For the taking of migratory birds and the collection of their eggs by the indigenous inhabitants of the Chukchi and Koryaksk national regions, the Commander Islands and the State of Alaska for their own nutritional and other essential needs (as determined by the competent authority of the relevant Contracting Party) during seasons established in accordance with Paragraph 2 of this Article; and

(d) For the purpose of protecting against injury to persons or property.

2. The hunting seasons for migratory birds provided for in Paragraph 1 (b) of this Article, and the seasons during which the indigenous inhabitants mentioned in Paragraph 1 (c) of this Article may take such birds and collect their eggs for their own nutritional and other essential need s (as determined by the competent authority of the relevant Contracting Party), shall be determined by the competent authority of each Contracting Party respectively. These seasons shall be set so as to provide for the preservation and maintenance of stocks of migratory birds.

3. With regard to a particular species of migratory bird, if the need arises, the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may conclude special agreements on the conservation of these species and on the regulation of their taking. Such agreements shall not be inconsistent with the principles of this Convention.

ARTICLE III

Each Contracting Party agrees to take, as soon as possible, the measures necessary to insure the execution of this Convention and its purpose.

1. To the extent possible, the Contracting Parties shall undertake measures necessary to protect and enhance the environment of migratory birds and to prevent and abate the pollution or detrimental alteration of that environment.

2. Among other things, each Contracting Party shall:

(a) Provide for the immediate warning of the competent authority of the other Contracting Party in case of substantial anticipated or existing damage to significant numbers of migratory birds or the pollution or destruction of their environment. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties will establish necessary procedures for such warnings and will cooperate to the maximum possible degree in preventing, reducing, or eliminating such damage to migratory birds and their environment and in providing for the rehabilitation of their habitat.

(b) Undertake measures necessary for the control of the import, export and establishment in the wild of live animals and plants that may be harmful to migratory birds or their environment.

(c) Identify areas of breeding, wintering, feeding, and moulting which are of special importance to the conservation of migratory birds within the areas under its jurisdiction. Such identification may include areas which require special protection because of their ecological diversity or scientific value. These special areas will be included in list number I on the Appendix to this Convention entitled "Migratory Bird Habitat". The initial identification of areas shall be prepared within one year from the date of this Convention's entry into force. This list may be augmented or revised by the competent authority of each Contracting Party in relation to the areas under its jurisdiction. Such amendment enters into force upon notification of the competent authority of the other Contracting Party. Each Contracting Party shall, to the maximum extent possible, undertake measures necessary to protect the ecosystems in those special areas described on list number I against pollution, detrimental alteration and other environmental degradation.

3. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties may by mutual agreement designate areas of special importance to the conservation of migratory birds outside the areas under their jurisdiction. These areas of special importance shall be included on list number II on the "Migratory Bird Habitat" Appendix to this Convention. This list number II may be amended by mutual agreement of the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall, to the maximum extent possible, undertake measures necessary to ensure that any citizen or person subject to its jurisdiction will act in accordance with the principles of this Convention in relation to such areas. The Contracting Parties will take measures to disseminate information about the significance of these areas to the conservation of migratory birds.

ARTICLE V

1. The Contracting Parties agree that, for the conservation of those species and subspecies of migratory birds which are in danger of extinction, special protective measures are necessary and should be taken.

2. If one Contracting Party has decided that a species, subspecies or distinct segment of a population of migratory birds is in danger of extinction, and has established special measures for its protection, the competent authority of that Contracting Party shall inform the competent authority of the other Contracting Party of the decision and of any subsequent modification of such decision.

3. Upon notification, the other Contracting Party will take into account such protective measures in the development of its management plans for the conservation of migratory birds.

ARTICLE VI

1. The Contracting Parties shall promote research related to the conservation of migratory birds and their environment, and agree to coordinate their national bird banding programs. In cases where it is desirable, such research may be conducted under agreed upon programs coordinated by the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties.

2. The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall exchange scientific information and publications related to the conservation of migratory birds and their environment.

ARTICLE VII

Each Contracting Party shall to the maximum extent possible, undertake measures necessary to establish preserves, refuges, protected areas, and also facilities intended for the conservation of migratory birds and their environment, and to manage such areas so as to preserve and restore the natural ecosystems.

ARTICLE VIII

In addition to those species and subspecies of birds named on the "Migratory Birds" Appendix, each Contracting Party may implement within the areas under its jurisdiction or with regard to any citizen or person subject to its jurisdiction, as it deems appropriate and necessary, any and all of the protective measures under this Convention for any species or subspecies of birds not listed in the "Migratory Birds" Appendix but belonging to the same family as a species or subspecies listed in the "Migratory Birds" Appendix.

ARTICLE IX

This Convention shall in no way affect the right of the Contracting Parties to adopt stricter domestic measures which are deemed to be necessary to conserve migratory birds and their environment.

ARTICLE X

The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall consult regarding the implementation of this convention upon the request of the competent authority of either of the Contracting P arties.

ARTICLE XI

If necessary to improve the conservation of migratory birds or their environment, this Convention may be amended by the agreement of the Contracting Parties.

ARTICLE XII

1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification or confirmation pursuant to the domestic laws of each Contracting Party and shall enter into force on the day that instruments of ratification or confirmation are exchanged in agreement with international procedures.

2. This Convention shall remain in force for a period of 15 years from the date of its entry into force. Thereafter, it shall be renewed automatically on an annual basis, provided that any Contracting Party may terminate its rights and obligations under this Convention. Such termination shall take effect on the next expiration date of this Convention and may be accomplished by transmitting written notification of termination to the other Contracting P arty at least six months prior to that expiration date.

Done in Moscow this 19th day of November, 1976, in duplicate, in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

JOINT DECLARATION

The government of the United States of America and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,

Considering that the migratory birds covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their Environment are an international resource of great ecological value and that they migrate between other countries as w ell as the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

Recognizing that the protection of these migratory birds and their environment requires expanded international cooperation and that it would be highly desirable to have other countries accede to this Convention;

Have agreed to consider the expansion of the Convention to include additional Contracting Parties and have agreed to initiate the necessary procedures to accomplish this goal.

Done in Moscow this 19th day of Nov ember, 1976, in du plicate, in the English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS:

APPENDIX TO THE CONVENTION

MIGRATORY BIRDS

Familly GAVIIDAE ......

.... Yellow-billed Loon ...... ...... Gavia adamsii

.... Arctic Loon ...... G. arctica ......

.... Pacific Loon ...... G. pacifica ......

.... Red-throated Loon ...... G. stellata ......

Familly COLYMBIDAE ......

.... Red-necked Grebe ...... Podiceps grisegena

.... Horned Grebe ...... P. auritus

Familly DIOMEDEIDAE ......

.... Short-tailed Albatross ...... Diomedea albatross

.... Black-footed Albatross ...... D. nigripes

.... Laysan Albatross ...... D. immutabilis

Familly PROCELLARIIDAE ......

.... Fulmar ...... Fulmarus glacialis

.... Flesh-footed Shearwater ...... Puffinus carneipes

.... New Zealand Shearwater ...... P. bulleri

.... Sooty Shearwater ...... P. griseus

.... Slender-billed Shearwater ...... P. tenuirostris

.... Bonin Island Petrel ...... Pterodroma leucoptera (=hypoleuca)

.... Scaled Petrel ...... P. inexpectata

Familly HYDROBATIDAE ......

.... Fork-tailed Storm Petrel ...... Oceano droma furcata

.... Leach's Storm Petrel ...... O. leucorhoa

.... Harcourt's Storm Petrel ...... L. castro

Familly PHALACROCORACIDAE ......

.... Pelagic Cormorant ...... Phalacrocorax pelagicus

.... Red-faced Cormorant ...... P. urile

Familly ARDEIDAE ......

.... Plumed Egret ...... Egretta intermedia

.... Chinese Egret ...... E. eulophotes

.... Chinese Least Bittern ...... Ixobrychus sinensis

.... Shrenck's Least Bittern ...... I. eurhythmus

Familly ANATIDAE ......

.... Whooper Swan ...... Cygnus cygnus

.... Bewick's Swan ...... C. bewickii

.... Whistling Swan ...... C. columbianus

.... Canada Goose ...... Branta canadensis

.... Black Brant ...... B. nigricans

.... Emperor G oose ...... Philacte canagica

.... White-fronted Goose ...... Anser albifrons

.... Bean Goose ...... A. fabilis

.... Snow Goo se ...... Chen caerulescens

.... Mallard ...... Anas platyrhnchos

.... Spot-billed Duck ...... A. poecilorhyncha

.... Pintail ...... A. acuta

.... Garganey ...... A. querquedula

.... Falcated Teal ...... A. falcata

.... Green-winged Teal ...... A. crecca

.... Baikal Teal ...... A. formosa

.... European Wigeon ...... A. penelope

.... American Wigeon ...... A. americana

.... Shoveler ...... A. clypeata

.... Common Pochard ...... Aythya ferina

.... Greater Scaup ...... A. marila ......

.... Tufted Duck ...... Aythya fuligula

.... Comm on Gold eneye ...... Bucep halia clangula

.... Bufflehead ...... B. albeo la

.... Oldsquaw ...... Clangula hye malis

.... Harlequin Duck ...... Histrionicus histrionicus

.... Steller's Eider ...... Polysticta stelleri

.... Common Eider ...... Somateria mollissima

.... King Eider ...... S. spectabilis

.... Spectacled Eider ...... S. fischeri

.... White-winged Scoter ...... Melanitta deglandi

.... Surf Scoter ...... M. perspicillata

.... Black Scoter ...... M. nigra

.... Red-breasted Merganser ...... Mergus serrator

.... Common Merganser ...... A. merganser

.... Smew ...... M. albellus

Familly ACCIPITRIDAE ......

.... Black K ite ...... Milvus korschun (=migrans)

.... Asiatic Sparrow Hawk ...... Accipiter virgatus (=gularis)

.... Rough-legged Hawk ...... Buteo lagopus

.... Golden Eagle ...... Aquila chrysaetos

.... White-tailed Eagle ...... Haliaeetus albicilla

.... Bald E agle ...... H. leucocephalus

.... Steller's Sea Eagle ...... H. pelagicus

.... Northern Harrier ...... Circus cyaneus

Familly PANDIONIDAE ......

.... Osprey ...... Pandion Haliaetus

Familly FALCONIDAE ......

.... Gyrfalcon ...... Falco rusticolus

.... Peregrine Falcon ...... Falco peregrinus

.... Merlin ...... F. columbarius

Familly GRUIDAE ......

.... Common Crane ...... Grus grus

.... Sandhill Crane ...... G. canad ensis

Familly RALLIDAE ......

.... European Coot ...... Fulica atra

Familly CHARADRIIDAE ......

.... Semipalmated Plover ...... Charadrius semipalmatus

.... Little Ringed Plover ...... ...... C. dubius

.... Mongolian Plover ...... C. mongolus ......

.... American Golden Plover ...... Pluvialis dominica ......

.... Black-bellied Plover ...... P. squataro la ......

.... Dotterel ...... Eudromias morinellus ......

Familly SCOLOPACIDAE ......

.... Ruddy Turnstone ...... Arenaria interpres

.... Common Snipe ...... Capella (=Gallinago) gallinago

.... Pintail Snipe ...... C. (=Gallinago) stenura

.... Marsh Snipe ...... C. (=Ga llinago) meg ala

.... European Jacksnipe ...... ...... Lymnocryptes minimus

.... Whimbrel ...... Numenius phaeopus ......

.... Far Eastern Curlew ...... N. mada gascariensis ......

.... Terek Sandpiper ...... Xenus cinereus ......

.... Common Sandpiper ...... ...... Tring a (=Actitis )

.... ...... hypoleucos

.... Wood Sandpiper ...... Tringa gla reola

.... Spotted Redshank ...... T. erythropus

.... Marsh Sandpiper ...... T. stagnatilis

.... Greenshank ...... T. nebularia

.... Wandering Tattler ...... Heteroscelus incanus

.... Polynesian Tattler ...... Heteroscelus brevipes

.... Red Knot ...... Calidris canutus

.... Great Knot ...... C. tenuirostris

.... Rock Sandpiper ...... C. ptilocnem is

.... Sharp-tailed Sandpiper ...... C. acumina ta

.... Pectoral Sandpiper ...... C. melanotos

.... Baird's Sandpiper ...... C. bairdii

.... Temminck's Stint ...... C. temminckii

.... Long-toed Stint ...... C. subminu ta

.... Rufous-necked Sandpiper ...... C. ruficollis

.... Curlew Sandpiper ...... C. ferruginea

.... Dunlin ...... C. alpina

.... Western Sandpiper ...... C. mauri

.... Sanderling ...... C. alba

.... Long-billed Dowitcher ...... Limnodromus scolopaceus

.... Buff-breasted Sandpiper ...... Tryngites sub ruficollis

.... Bar-tailed G odwit ...... Limosa lapponica

.... Black-tailed Godwit ...... ...... L. limosa

.... Ruff ...... Philomachus pugnax ......

.... Spoon-billed Sandpiper ...... Eurynorhynchus pygmeus

.... Broad-billed Sandpiper ...... limicola falcinellus

Familly PHALAROPODIDAE ......

.... Wilson's Phalarope ...... Phalaropus tricolor

.... Red Phalarope ...... P. fulicarius ......

.... Northern Phalarope ...... ...... P. lobatus

Familly STERCORARIIDAE ......

.... Pomarine Jaeger ...... Stercorarius pomarinus

.... Parasitic Jaeger ...... Stercorarius parasiticus

.... Long-tailed Jaeger ...... S. longicaudus

Familly LARIDAE ......

.... Glaucous Gull ...... Larus hyperboreus

.... Glaucous-winged G ull ...... L. glaucescens ......

.... Slaty-backed Gull ...... L. schistisagus ......

.... Herring G ull ...... L. argentatus ......

.... Mew G ull ...... L. canus ......

.... Black-hea ded Gu ll ...... L. ridibundus ......

.... Ivory Gull ...... Pagophila eburnea ......

.... Black-legged Kittiwake ...... Rissa tridactyla ......

.... Red-legged Kittiwake ...... R. breviro stris ......

.... Ross' Gull ...... Rhodostethia rosea ......

.... Sabine's Gu ll ...... ...... Xema sabini

.... White-winged Black Tern ...... Chlidonias leucoptera ......

.... Common Tern ...... Sterna hirundo ......

.... Arctic Tern ...... S. paradisaea ......

.... Aleutian Tern ...... S. aleutica ......

.... Little Tern ...... S. albifrons ......

.... Familly ALCIDAE ......

.... Common M urre ...... Uria aalge

.... Thick-billed Murre ...... U. lomvia

.... Black Guillemot ...... ...... Cepphus grylle

.... Pigeon Guillemot ...... ...... C. columba

.... Marbled Murrelet ...... ...... Brachyramphus marmoratus

.... Kittlitz's Murrelet ...... ...... B. breviro stris

.... Ancient Murrelet ...... ...... Synthliboramphus antiquus

.... parakeet Auklet ...... ...... Cyclorrhynchus psittacula

.... Crested Auklet ...... ...... Aethia cristatella

.... Least Auklet ...... ...... A. pusilla

.... Whiskered Auklet ...... ...... A. pygmaea

.... Horned Puffin ...... ...... Fratercula corniculata

.... Tufted P uffin ...... ...... Fra tercula (=Lu nda )

.... ...... ...... cirrhata

Familly CUCULIDAE ...... ......

.... Fugitive Hawk Cuckoo ...... ...... Cuculus fagax

.... Common Cuckoo ...... ...... C. canorus

.... Oriental Cuckoo ...... ...... C. saturatus

Familly STRIGIDAE ...... ......

.... Snowy Owl ...... ...... Nyctea scandiaca

.... Hawk Owl ...... ...... Surnia ulula

.... Short-eared Owl ...... ...... Asio flammeus

.... Boreal Owl ...... ...... Aegolius funereus

Familly APODIDAE ...... ......

.... White-rum ped Swift ...... ...... Apus pacificus

.... Common Swift ...... ...... A. apus

.... Needle-tailed Swift ...... ...... Hirundapus caudacutus

Familly UPUPIDAE ...... ......

.... Hoopoe ...... ...... Upupa epops

Familly PICIDAE ...... ......

.... Wryneck ...... ...... Jynx torquilla

Familly ALAUDIDAE ...... ......

.... Skylark ...... ...... Alauda arvensis

.... Horned Lark ...... ...... Eremophila alpestris

Familly HIRUNDINIDAE ...... ......

.... Tree Swallow ...... ...... Iridoprocne bicolor

.... Bank Swallow ...... ...... Riparia riparia

.... House M artin ...... ...... Celichon urbica

.... Barn Swallow ...... ...... Hirundo rustica

.... Cliff Swallow ...... ...... Petrochelidon pyrrhonota

Familly CORVIDAE ...... ......

.... Common Raven ...... ...... Corvus corax

Familly TURDIDAE ...... ......

.... Fieldfare ...... ...... Turdus pilaris

.... Dusky Thrush ...... ...... T. pallidus (=obscurus)

.... Blue Rock T hrush ...... ...... Monticola solitarius (=solitaria)

.... Swainson's Thrush ...... ...... Catharus ustulatus

.... Gray-cheeked T hrush ...... ...... C. minimus

.... Wheatear ...... ...... Oenathe oenathe

.... Bluethroat ...... ...... Luscinia svecia

.... Siberian Rubythroat ...... ...... L. calliope

Familly SYLVIIDAE ...... ......

.... Willow Warbler ...... ...... Phylloscopus trochilus

.... Arctic Warbler ...... ...... P. borealis

.... Middendorff's Grasshopper Warbler ...... ...... Locustella ochotensis

Familly MUSCICAPIDAE ...... ......

.... Gray-spotted Flycatcher ...... Muscica pa griseisticta

Familly PRUNELLIDAE ......

.... Mountain Accentor ...... Prunella m ontanella

Familly MOTACILLIDAE ......

.... Gray W agtail ...... Motacilla cinerea

.... White W agtail ...... M. alba

.... Yellow W agtail ...... M. flava

.... Water P ipit ...... Anthus spino letta

.... Indian Tree Pipit ...... A. hodgsoni

.... Pechora Pipit ...... Anthus gustavi

.... Red-throated Pipit ...... A. cervinus

Familly LANIIDAE ......

.... Northern Shrike ...... Lanius excubitor

Familly PARULIDAE ......

.... Yellow-rumped Warbler ...... Dendro ica coronata

.... Northern W aterthrush ...... Seiurus nov eborace nsis

Familly FRINGILLIDAE ...... ......

.... Brambling ...... Fringilla mon tifringilla

.... Hawfinch ...... Coccothraustes coccothraustes

.... Eurasian Bullfinch ...... Pyrrhula pyrrhula ......

.... Common Rosefinch ...... ...... Carpodacus erythrinus

.... Hoary R edpoll ...... Acanthis hornemanni ......

.... Common Redpoll ...... A. flammea ......

Familly EMBERIZIDAE ...... ......

.... Savannal Sparrow ...... Passerculus sandwichensis

.... Slate-colored Junco ...... ...... Junco hyemalis

.... Fox Sparrow ...... ...... Passerella iliaca

.... Lapland Longspur ...... Calcarius lapponicus ......

.... Snow Bunting ...... Plectrop henax nivalis ......

.... Rustic Bunting ...... Emberiza rustica ......

.... Pallas' Reed Bunting ...... E. pallasi ......