LACEY, Wash. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will review the protected status of the marbled murrelet in response to a petition from the timber industry and others.

Several groups, including the American Forest Resource Council and Douglas County, Ore., have asked the agency to remove the bird from the federal list of protected species.

Marbled murrelets are small seabirds that nest in old growth timber.

They're found from California to Alaska, but only the population in Washington, Oregon and California is listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The 12-month review announced Wednesday will likely determine whether the birds should be delisted or whether they also need protection in Alaska.