Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

The Delaware Natural Heritage Program

The Delaware Natural Heritage Program is a joint effort between The Nature Conservancy and the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. The inventory of Delaware's native fauna is an ongoing effort to catalog baseline information regarding the distribution and abundance of animal species occurring within the state. This data is then used to prioritize conservation efforts in order to protect and ensure the long-term survival of our rarest species, communities and biologically diverse ecosystems. Natural Heritage Programs and associated Conservation Data Centers are established in all 50 states and several Carribean and Latin American countries.

In order to preserve Delaware's natural heritage, it is essential to determine what species are in most need of protection. Natural heritage programs and associated Conservation Data Centers attempt to asses the distribution and abundance of the world's flora and fauna in order to better understand and protect the natural diversity of our planet. State heritage programs accomplish this by inventorying and protecting species on a local basis, thus ensuring their survival worldwide. State and global ranks are assigned (see Appendix I) to each species to identify their degree of rarity. These ranks are then used to prioritize conservation efforts.

Essentially, species are rare for one of three reasons. First, a species may be rare due to its geographic location; it may be rare in Delaware because the state is within the periphery of the species range. Secondly, a species may be uncommon partially due to the lack of sufficient inventory work; thus species ranks may change over a period of time due to the discovery of additional populations. Most animals likely to occur within this category are currently ranked SU (see Appendix I). Lastly, a species may be in peril due to habitat destruction which has occurred within its geographic range; many animals are unable to adapt to land-use practices which have altered their natural habitats. This, unfortunately, is the primary reason the majority of Delaware's animals occur on this list. It is hoped that land use changes over time will incorporate conservation efforts which can help to limit the rate of species extinction in Delaware.

The attempt to asses the status of Delaware's fauna is a project of astronomical proportions. Hundreds of species of invertebrates have yet to be cataloged, perhaps even discovered and described by science. The Delaware Natural Heritage Program will continue in its attempt to inventory and determine the distribution and status of Delaware's native vertebrates and invertebrates. The continued contribution and support of knowledgeable individuals is vital to safeguard the existence of the state's most precious natural resources. Special thanks to all who have contributed their knowledge and expertise to the DNHP in our quest to understand and protect Delaware's native animal species. Delaware's Nongame and Endangered Species program has contributed to the preparation of this list by supporting field inventory work and providing baseline information on rare species. Many individuals and organizations have also been instrumental in the development of this list. In particular, special thanks to Andrew Ednie, Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer, Dr. William Grogan, Gene Hess, Cathy Martin, Joseph McLaughlin, Maynard Raasch, Dr. Dale Schweitzer, Craig Shirey, Richard H. Smith, James White and Dr. Harold White.

Freshwater Mussels

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Dwarf wedgemussel	Alasmidonta heterodon	SH	G1G2
Triangle floater	Alasmidonta undulata	SH	G4
Brook floater	Alasmidonta varicosa	SH	G3
Alewife floater	Anodonta implicata	S1	G5
Spike	Elliptio dilatata	SR	G5
Northern lance	Elliptio fisheriana	S2	G3G4
Yellow lampmussel	Lampsilis cariosa	SH	G4
Eastern lampmussel	Lampsilis radiata	S1	G5
Tidewater mucket	Leptodea ochracea	S1	G4
Eastern pondmussel	Ligumia nasuta	S1	G4G5
Squawfoot	Strophitus undulatus	S1	G5

Crustaceans

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Devil crawfish	Cambarus diogenes	S3	G5
A crayfish	Cambarus bartonii	S?	G5
Spinycheek crayfish	Orconectes limosus	S?	G4G5
White river crawfish	Procambarus acutus	S?	G5

Insects - Coleoptera

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
White tiger beetle	Cicindela dorsalis media	SU	G4T4
A tiger beetle	Cicindela formosa	S?	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela formosa generosa	SU	G5T5
Beach-dune tiger beetle	Cicindela hirticollis	S2	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela tranquebarica	SU	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela patruela	S?	G3
A tiger beetle	Cicindela patruela consentanea	SU	G3T2
A tiger beetle	Cicindela duodecimguttata	SU	G5
Little white tiger beetle	Cicindela lepida	S1	G4
A tiger beetle	Cicindela rufiventris	SU	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela purpurea	SU	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela repanda	SU	G5
A tiger beetle	Cicindela marginata	S1	G5
Aquatic beetle	Hoperius planatus	S1	G?
Virginia big-headed tiger beetle	Megacephala virginica	SU	G5
American burying beetle	Nicrophorus americanus	SX	G1
A firefly	Photuris bethaniensis	S1	G1?
Aquatic beetle	Agabetes acuductus	SU	G?
A water-scavenger beetle	Helocombus bifidus	SU	G?

Insects - Lepidotera

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Golden-banded skipper	Autochton cellus	SH	G4
Confused cloudy wing	Thorybes confusis	SH	G4
Scalloped sooty wing	Staphylus hayhurstii	S3	G5
Zarucco dusky wing	Erynnis zarucco	SR	G5
Wild indigo dusky wing	Erynnis baptisiae	SU	G5
Cobweb skipper	Hesperia metea	SU	G4G5
Indian skipper	Hesperia sassacus	SU	G5
Broken dash	wallengrenia otho	SU	G4
Little glasswing	Pompeius verna	SU	G5
Delaware skipper	Atrytone logan	SU	G5
Rare skipper	Problema bulenta	S1	G2G3
Mulberry wing	Poanes massasoit	S1	G4
Hobomok skipper	Poanes hobomok	SU	G5
Aaron's skipper	Poanes aaroni	S3	G4
Aaron's skipper	Poanes aaroni aaroni	S3	G4T4
Dion skipper	Euphyes dion	S1	G4
Black dash	Euphyes conspicuus	SU	G4
Dun skipper	Euphyes ruricola	S?	G5
Dusted skipper	Atrytonopsis hianna	S1	G4G5
Pipevine swallowtail	Battus philenor	S2	G5
Zebra swallowtail	Eurytides marcellus	S3	G5
Checkered white	Pontia protodice	SU	G4
Harvester	Feniseca tarquinius	SU	G4
Bronze copper	Lycaena hyllus	S2	G5
Great purple hairstreak	Atlides halesus	S1	G5
King's hairstreak	Satyrium kingi	S1	G3G4
Striped hairstreak	Satyrium liparops strigosum	S1	G5T5
Olive hairstreak	Mitoura grynea	S2	G5
Hessel's hairstreak	Mitoura hesseli	S1	G3G4
Brown elfin	Incisalia augustinus	SU	G5
Frosted elfin	Incisalia irus	S1	G3G4
Henry's elfin	Incisalia henrici	SU	G5
White M hairstreak	Parrhasius m-album	S3	G5
Tropical snout	Libytheana carinenta	SH	G5
Regal fritillary	Speyeria idalia	SX	G3
Silver-bordered fritillary	Boloria selene	S1	G5
Myrina fritillary	Boloria selene myrina	S1	G5T5
Meadow fritillary	Boloria bellona	SU	G5
Baltimore	Euphydryas phaeton	S1	G4
Gray comma	Polygonia progne	SH	G5
Hackberry butterfly	Asterocampa celtis	SU	G5
Tawny emperor	Asterocampa clyton	SU	G5
Eyed brown	Satyrodes eurydice	SH	G5
Angle winged emerald moth	Chloropteryx tepperaria	S?	G4
Woodland buck moth	Hemileuca maia	S3	G4
A noctuid moth	Hadena ectypa	SU	G3G4

Insects - Odonata

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Tiger spiketail	Cordulegaster erronea	S2	G4
Twin-spotted spiketail	Cordulegaster maculata	S3	G5
Brown spiketail	cordulegaster bilineata	S2	G5
Black-shouldered spinyleg	Dromogomphus spinosus	S2	G5
Sable clubtail	Gomphus rogersi	S1	G4
Dragonhunter	Hagenius brevistylus	S3	G5
Least clubtail	Stylogomphus albistylus	S2	G5
Common sanddragon	Progomphus obscurus	S3	G5
Black-tipped darner	Aeshna tuberculifera	S1	G4
Shadow darner	Aeshna umbrosa	S3	G5
Green-striped darner	Aeshna verticalis	S1	G5
Comet darner	Anax longipes	S1	G5
Springtime darner	Basiaeschna janata	S3	G5
Taper-tailed darner	Gomphaeschna antilope	SH	G4
Harelquin darner	Gomphaeschna furcillata	S1	G5
Cyrano darner	Nasiaeschna pentacantha	S3	G5
Stream cruiser	Didymops transversa	S3	G5
Allegheny river cruiser	Macromia alleghaniensis	SR	G4
Swift river cruiser	Macromia illinoiensis	S2	G5
Royal river cruiser	Macromia taeniolata	S1	G5
Racket-tailed emerald	Dorocordulia libera	SR	G5
Stripe-winged baskettail	Tetragoneuria costalis	S1	G4
Robust baskettail	Tetragoneuria spinosa	S1	G3G4
Sely's sunfly	Helocordulia selysii	SH	G4
Treetop emerald	Somatchlora provocans	S1	G3G4
Four-spotted pennant	Brachymesia gravida	S1	G5
Calico pennant	Celithemis elisa	S3	G5
Black-spotted skimmer	Celithemis monomelaena	S2	G5Q
Faded pennant	Celithemis verna	SH	G5
Dot-tailed whiteface	Leucorrhina intacta	SH	G5
Golden-winged skimmer	Libellula auripennis	SU	G5
Bar-winged skimmer	Libellula axilena	S1	G5
Yellow-sided skimmer	Libellula falvida	SH	G5
Twelve-spotted skimmer	Libellula pulchella	S3	G5
Great blue skimmer	Libellula vibrans	S3	G5
Blue corporal	Libellula deplanata	S2	G5
Elfin skimmer	Nannothemis bella	S1	G4
Spot-winged glider	Pantala hymenaea	S3	G5
Blue-faced meadowhawk	Sympetrum ambiguum	S1	G5
Band-winged meadowhawk	Sympetrum semicinctum	S1	G5
Black-mantled glider	Tramea lacerata	S3	G5
Sparkling jewelwing	Calopteryx dimidiata	S3	G5
American rubyspot	Hetaerina americana	S3	G5
Sweetflag spreadwing	Lestes forcipatus	S3	G5
Spotted spreadwing	Lestes congener	S3	G5
Common spreadwing	Lestes disjunctus australis	S3	G5T5
Amber-winged spreadwing	Lestes eurinus	S2	G4
Seepage dancer	Argia bipunctulata	S1	G4
Powdered dancer	Argia moesta	SU	G5
Blue-ringed dancer	Argia sedula	SR	G5
Dusky dancer	Argia translata	S1	G5
Attenuated bluet	Enallagma daeckii	S3	G4
Bog bluet	Enallagma aspersum	S3	G5
Double-striped bluet	Enallagma basidens	S3	G5
Burgundy bluet	Enallagma dubium	S1	G5
Big bluet	Enallagma durum	S2	G5
Hagen's bluet	Enallagma hageni	S?	G5
Pale bluet	Enallagma pallidum	S1	G4
Vesper bluet	Enallagma vesperum	S2	G5
Blackwater bluet	Enallagma weewa	S2	G5
Lilypad forktail	Ischnura kellitcotti	S?	G5
Citrine forktail	Anomalagrion hastatum	S3	G5
Sedge sprite	Nehalennia irene	S1	G5
Sphagnum sprite	Nehalennia gracilis	S1	G5
Great spreadwing	Archilestes grandis	S2	G5
Aurora damsel	Chromagrion conditum	S3	G5
Russet-tipped clubtail	Gomphus plagiatus	S2	G5
Arrow clubtail	Gomphus spiniceps	S1	G5
Unicorn clubtail	Gomphus villosipes	S2	G5

Fish

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Least Brook Lamprey	Lampetra aepytera	S2	G5
American brook lamprey	Lampetra appendix	S2	G4
Mottled sculpin	Cottus bairdi	S1	G5
Slimy sculpin	Cottus cognatus	SR	G5
Atlantic sturgeon	Acipenser oxyrhynchus	S2	G3
Hickory shad	Alosa mediocris	S2	G5
River chub	Nocomis micropogon	SR	G5
Comely shiner	Notropis amoenus	S2	G5
Bridle shiner	Notropis bifrenatus	SU	G5
Ironcolor shiner	Notropis chalybaeus	S2	G5
Rosyface shiner	Notropis rubellus	S?	G5
Spotfin shiner	Cyprinella spiloptera	S3	G5
Shorthead redhorse	Moxostoma macrolepidotum	S2	G5
Margined madtom	Notorus insignis	S2	G5
Yellow bullhead	Ictalurus natalis	S3	G5
Spotfin killifish	Fundulus luciae	S3	G3G4
Fourspine stickleback	Apeltes quadracus	S2	G5
Mud sunfish	Acantharchus pomotis	S2	G5
Blackbanded sunfish	Enneacanthus chaetodon	S2	G4
Banded sunfish	Enneacanthus obesus	S2	G5
Shield darter	Percina peltata	S1	G5

Amphibians

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Spotted salamander	Ambystoma maculatum	S2	G5
Marbled salamander	Ambystoma opacum	S3	G5
Eastern tiger salamander	Ambystoma tigrinum	S1	G5
Longtail salamander	Eurycea longicauda	S1	G5
Four-toed salamander	Hemidactylium scutatum	S1	G5
Eastern mud salamander	Pseudotriton montanus	S1	G5
Northern red salamander	Pseudotriton ruber	S3	G5
Woodhouse's toad	Bufo woodhousii	S?	G5
Cope's gray treefrog	Hyla chrysoscelis	S2	G5
Green treefrog	Hyla cinerea	S3	G5
Barking treefrog	Hyla gratiosa	S1	G5
Carpenter frog	Rana virgatipes	S1	G5

Reptiles

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle	Eretmochelys imbricata imbricata	S?	G3T3
Atlantic green turtle	Chelonia mydas	S?	G3T?Q
Spotted turtle	Clemmys guttata	S3	G5
Wood turtle	Clemmys insculpta	SR	G4
Bog turtle	Clemmys muhlenbergii	S1	G3
Northern diamondback terrapin	Malaclemys terrapin terrapin	SU	G4T4
Red-eared slider	Trachemys scripta elegans	S?	G5T5
Broadhead skink	Eumeces laticeps	SH	G5
Ground skink	Scincella lateralis	S1	G5
Northern scarlet snake	Cemophora coccinea	SH	G5
Corn snake	Elaphe guttata	S1	G5
Eastern kingsnake	Lampropeltis getula	S2	G5
Eastern milk snake	Lampropeltis triangulum	S2	G5
Redbelly water snake	Nerodia erythrogaster	S1	G5
Rough green snake	Opheodrys aestivus	S2	G5
Pine snake	Pituophis melanoleucus	SR	G5
Queen snake	Regina septemvittata	S1	G5
Brown snake	Storeria dekayi	S3	G5
Redbelly snake	Storeria occipitomaculata	S1	G5
Eastern ribbon snake	Thamnophis sauritus	S2	G5
Smooth earth snake	Virginia valeriae	S1	G5
Copperhead	Agkistrodon contortrix	S1	G5

Birds

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Arctic Loon	Gavia arctica	SR	G5
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	S1B, S3N	G5
Brown Pelican	Pelecanus occidentalis	S1N	G4
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carb	S2N	G5
Double-crested Cormorant	Phalacrocorax auritus	S1B, SZN	G5
American Bittern	Botaurus lentiginosus	S1B, SZN	G4
Least Bittern	Ixobrychus exilis	S1B	G5
Great Blue Heron	Ardea herodias	S2B	G5
Great Egret	Casmerodius albus	S1B	G5
Snowy Egret	Egretta thula	S1B	G5
Little Blue Heron	Egretta caerulea	S1B	G5
Tricolored Heron	Egretta tricolor	S1B	G5
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	S1B	G5
Black-crowned Night-heron	Nycticorax nycticorax	S1B	G5
Yellow-crowned Night-heron	Nyctanassa violacea	S1B	G5
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	S1B	G5
Tundra Swan	Cygnus columbianus	S3N	G5
Blue-winged Teal	Anas discors	S3B	G5
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	SHB, S4N	G5
Gadwall	Anas strepera	S3B, S4N	G5
Canvasback	Aythya valisineria	S2N	G5
Redhead	Aythya americana	S2N	G5
Oldsquaw	Clangula hyemalis	S3N	G5
Black Scoter	Melanitta nigra	S3N	G5
White-winged Scoter	Melanitta fusca	S3N	G5
Barrow's Goldeneye	Bucephala islandica	SRF	G5
Hooded Merganser	Lophodytes cucullatus	S1B, S4N	G5
Black Vulture	Coragyps atratus	S2B	G5
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	S3B	G5
Bald Eagle	Haliaeetus leucocephalus	S2B, S3N	G4
Northern Harrier	Circus cyaneus	S1B, S4N	G5
Cooper's Hawk	Accipiter cooperii	S1B, SZN	G4
Red-shouldered Hawk	Buteo lineatus	S2B, S3N	G5
Broad-winged Hawk	Buteo platypterus	S1B	G5
American Kestrel	Falco sparverius	S3B, S5N	G5
Peregrine Falcon	Falco peregrinus	S1N, SEB	G4
Gyrfalcon	Falco rusticolus	SRF	G5
Ruffed Grouse	Bonasa umbellus	SX	G5
Black Rail	Laterallus jamaicensis	S1B	G4
King Rail	Rallus elegans	S2	G4G5
Sora	Porzana carolina	S2	G5
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	S3B	G5
American Coot	Fulica americana	S1B, SZN	G5
Piping Plover	Charadrius melodus	S1B	G3
American Oystercatcher	Haematopus palliatus	S1B	G5
Black-necked Stilt	Himantopus mexicanus	S2B	G5
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularia	SU	G5
Upland Sandpiper	Bartramia longicauda	SHB, SZN	G5
Ruddy Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	S2N	G5
Red Knot	Calidris canutus	S2N	G5
Sanderling	Calidris alba	S2N	G5
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	S3N	G5
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima	S1N	G5
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	S3N	G5
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	S3B, S5N	G5
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus	S1B, S5N	G5
Gull-billed Tern	Sterna nilotica	SHB, S2N	G5
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	S1B	G5
Forster's Tern	Sterna forsteri	S1B, SZN	G5
Least Tern	Sterna antillarum	S1B	G4
Black Skimmer	Rynchops niger	S1B	G5
Passenger Pigeon	Ectopistes migratorius	SX	GX
Black-billed Cuckoo	Coccyzus erythropthalmus	S1B	G5
Common Barn Owl	Tyto alba	S3	G5
Barred Owl	Strix varia	S2	G5
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	S1N	G5
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	SHB,S2N	G5
Common Nighthawk	Chordeiles minor	S2B	G5
Chuck-will's-widow	Caprimulgus carolinensis	S3B	G5
Red-headed Woodpecker	Melanerpes erythrocephalus	S1	G5
Hairy Woodpecker	Picoides villosus	S3	G5
Pileated Woodpecker	Dryocopus pileatus	S3	G5
Willow Flycatcher	Empidonax traillii	S3B	G5
Least Flycatcher	Empidonax minimus	SHB	G5
Bank Swallow	Riparia riparia	S2B	G5
Cliff Swallow	Petrochelidon pyrrhonota	S1B	G5
White-breasted Nuthatch	Sitta carolinensis	S3	G5
Brown-headed Nuthatch	Sitta pusilla	S2	G5
Brown Creeper	Certhia americana	S1B,S4N	G5
Sedge Wren	Cistothorus platensis	S1B	G5
Veery	Catharus fuscescens	S2B	G5
Bohemian Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus	SRF	G5
Loggerhead Shrike	Lanius ludovicianus	SHB,SZN	G5
Yellow-throated Vireo	Vireo flavifrons	S3B	G5
Warbling Vireo	Vireo gilvus	S2B	G5
Blue-winged Warbler	Vermivora pinus	S1B	G5
Northern Parula	Parula americana	S1B	G5
Chestnut-sided Warbler	Dendroica pensylvanica	S1B	G5
Yellow-throated Warbler	Dendroica dominica	S2B	G5
Cerulean Warbler	Dendroica cerulea	S1B	G4
Black-and-white Warbler	Mniotilta varia	S3B	G5
American Redstart	Setophaga ruticilla	S1B	G5
Worm-eating Warbler	Helmithoros vermivorus	S3B	G5
Swainson's Warbler	Limnothlypis swainsonii	SHB	G4
Louisiana Waterthrush	Seiurus motacilla	S3B	G5
Kentucky Warbler	Oporornis formosus	S3B	G5
Hooded Warbler	Icteria virens	S1B	G5
Summer Tanager	Piranga rubra	S3B	G5
Chipping Sparrow	Spizella passerina	S3N,S5B	G5
Vesper Sparrow	Pooecetes gramineus	S3B	G5
Grasshopper Sparrow	Ammodramus savannarum	S3B	G5
Henslow's Sparrow	Ammodramus henslowii	SHB,S1N	G4
Saltmarsh Sharp-tailed Sparrow	Ammodramus caudacutus	S1N,S3B	G4
Swamp Sparrow	Melospiza georgiana	S3B,S4N	G5
Bobolink	Dolichonyx oryzivorus	SU	G5
Eastern Meadowlark	Sturnella magna	S3	G5

Mammals

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	STATE RANK	GLOBAL RANK
Maryland shrew	Sorex fontinalis	SU	G4Q
Least shrew	Cryptotis parva	S?	G5
Eastern small-footed myotis	Myotis leibii	SU	G3
Northern myotis	Myotis septentrionalis	SU	G4
Silver-haired bat	Lasionycteris noctivagans	SU	G5
Eastern red bat	Lasiurus borealis	SU	G5
Hoary bat	Lasiurus cinereus	SU	G5
Evening bat	Nycticeius humeralis	SU	G5
Delmarva fox squirrel	Sciurus niger cinereus	S1	G5T3
Red squirrel	Tamiasciurus hudsonicus	S3	G5
Beaver	Castor canadensis	S3	G5
Marsh rice rat	Oryzomys palustris	S3	G5
Black right whale	Balaena glacialis	SXB,SZN	G1
Coyote	Canis latrans	SU	G5
Black bear	Ursus americanus	SX	G5
Mink	Mustela vison	S3	G5
Bobcat	Felis rufus	S?	G5

Delaware Natural Heritage Program utilizes the heritage ranking scheme developed by The Nature Conservancy. This ranking system is used by all Natural Heritage Programs, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Data Centers and their network cooperators worldwide. Heritage ranks are assigned to all currently trackable taxonomic groups found within the state of Delaware. Each species is given a state rank to reflect the degree of rarity within the state, and a global rank to indicate degree of rarity worldwide. In general, animal ranks are determined by the number of known occurrences (or populations) of a particular species as determined by reproductive evidence through field investigations by knowledgeable individuals. These ranks are then used to prioritized conservation efforts to provide long-term protection for our most threatened animals.

The following are definitions of both the state and global ranking system. Some ranks do not appear within this document but are regularly used by the Delaware Natural Heritage Program.

GLOBAL RANK

G1- Imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences worldwide) or because of factors which immediately threaten the existence of the species.

G2- Imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (6 to 20 occurrences) or because of factors which make the species particularly vulnerable to extinction throughout its range.

G3- A species which is either very rare and local throughout its range (21 to 100 occurrences) or found only locally in a restricted range, or because of some other factor making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range.

G4- Apparently secure globally but uncommon in parts of its range.

G5- Secure on a global basis, but the species may be uncommon on a local basis.

GH- Historically known with the expectation that it may be rediscovered.

GX- Species apparently extinct throughout its historic range.

GU- Species apparently in peril, but status is undetermined.

G?- Species has not yet been ranked.

Q- If a taxon is treated as a full species, a "Q" can be added to the global rank to denote its questionable taxonomic assignment.

T- Species with a "T" denote that the infraspecific taxon is being ranked differently than the full species.

STATE RANK

S1- Extremely rare within the state (typically 5 or fewer occurrences) or because some factor immediately threatens the future existence of this species within the state.

S2- Very rare within the state (typically 6 to 20 known occurrences). Species is susceptible to becoming extirpated.

S3- Rare to uncommon; typically 21 to 100 known occurrences. S3 species are not immediately threatened with extirpation, but may be if additional populations are destroyed.

S4- Species apparently secure within the state under present conditions.

S5- Species very common throughout the state; demonstrably secure under present conditions.

SU- Species status uncertain within the state. Usually an uncommon species which is believed to be of conservation concern but there is inadequate data to determine degree of rarity.

SH- Species historically known from the state but populations or reproductive evidence not verified for an extended period of time (usually 15+ years). There are expectations that this species may be rediscovered.

SX- Species presumed to be entirely extirpated from the state. All historical locations and/or potential habitat has been inventoried unsuccessfully. There are no expectations that this species will be rediscovered within the state.

SE- Exotic (introduced through human influence) within the state; not a part of the native fauna.

SR- Reported from the state, but no evidence exists for accepting or rejecting the report.

SRF- Reported falsely from the state but this report persists in the literature.

SA- A species which occasionally accidentally enters the state.

SC- A species which casually enters the state on a periodic basis but there is no evidence of reproduction or of potential reproductive habitat existing within the state.

S?- Species has not yet been ranked

For long distance migrant animals a particular species' breeding status may be very different than its nonbreeding status, i.e. a species which winters commonly in Delaware may be a rare breeder within the state. B and N qualifiers are used to denote breeding and nonbreeding status respectively. For example, the Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a common winter resident but a very rare breeder and is, therefore, ranked S1B,S4N. A Z qualifier is used to denote species which regularly migrate or winter in Delaware, but do not maintain definable occurrences during such periods. For lepidoptera species, however, a SZB rank can be given for those individuals which regularly migrate through the state, breed, but no individuals survive to maturity.

Common and Scientific Name	Federal Concern
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	Threatened
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)	Threatened
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)	Endangered/Threatened
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)	Endangered/Threatened
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)	Endangered
Delmarva Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger cinereus)	Endangered
Sperm Whale (Physeter catodon)	Endangered
Finback Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)	Endangered
Rorqual Whale (Balaenoptera borealis)	Endangered
Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)	Endangered
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaengliae)	Endangered
Right Whale (Balaena glacialis)	Endangered
Bog Turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii)	Threatened
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)	Threatened
Atlantic Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Endangered/Threatened
Atlantic Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)	Endangered
Atlantic Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)	Endangered
Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)	Endangered
Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon)	Endangered

Definitions for species on the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species (United States Fish and Wildlife Service).

Endangered: Species in danger of extinction throughout its range.

Threatened: Species likely to become endangered in the forseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

In recent years much attention has been given to the conservation of Neotropical migrant birds (those species which winter in tropical regions but nest in the United States). Many of these species are apparently experiencing regional declines. Although some are grassland-dependent birds, the majority are those species which are sensitive to forest fragmentation (forest-interior dependent species). No less than 21 of Delaware's forest-dependent species are considered rare or extirpated. Reasons for their decline are complex, and include such issues as increased nest parasitism, increased rates of predation, loss of quality nesting habitat and loss of suitable wintering habitat. Large areas of unfragmented forest are often required for their successful reproduction. While many of these species may be declining in numbers, they are still considered common occurrences by the Delaware Natural Heritage Program (DNHP). However, DNHP is currently attempting to incorporate areas of high Neotropical migratory bird use into its conservation efforts by noting what areas have the highest diversity of forest-specialized species. Additionally, DNHP is actively involved in the Delaware Partners In Flight working group, which is a state-wide effort to provide protection to our rarest Neotropical migrants.

The following birds are forest-interior Neotropical migratory species, and are some of the birds which are of primary conservation concern in our region.

Acadian Flycatcher	Cerulean Warbler	Yellow-throated Vireo
Veery	Ovenbird	American Redstart
Wood Thrush	Hooded Warbler	Louisian Waterthrush
Scarlet Tanager	Worm-eating Warbler	Summer Tanager
Black-and-white Warbler	Kentucky Warbler