Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00331-940402
Alexis Grinde, Stephen Kolbe, Kara Snow, Brett Howland, Gerald Niemi, Robert Slesak, Marcella Windmuller-Campione
Widespread declines in breeding bird populations have been documented across North America since the 1970s, and concerns about loss of avian biodiversity are growing. Species with narrow habitat preferences are of particular conservation concern. Connecticut Warblers (Oporornis agilis) breed in forests in central Canada and around the western Great Lakes; throughout much of its breeding range, this species is associated with lowland black spruce (Picea mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina) forests. Population trends of the Connecticut Warbler indicate it is one of the most rapidly declining bird species in North America, but the species is understudied because it occurs in relatively low densities across its breeding range. To better understand the breeding ecology of the Connecticut Warbler, we studied its nesting and post-fledging habitat use and survival in northern Minnesota, USA at two study areas in 2019 and 2020. We mapped territories of 49 singing males, located and monitored 11 nests, and tracked the post-fledging movements of individuals from five broods. Nest sites were located in lowland conifer stands with a semi-open canopy and dense understory. The average fledging age was 7.5 days post-hatch, and the individuals (n = 14) tracked during 0–7 days post-fledging had a mean daily distance from nests of 35.5 m and a maximum distance from nests of 104 m. Connecticut Warblers were not observed making movements of more than 100 m from the nest until 7 days post-fledging. Microsite areas with high stem density were important features for post-fledgling birds, and that the same habitats were used for breeding and the post-fledging period. The results of this study can be used by managers to develop conservation strategies that will provide critical habitat to support this species.
{"title":"Habitat use and characteristics of Connecticut Warbler during the nesting and post-fledging period","authors":"Alexis Grinde, Stephen Kolbe, Kara Snow, Brett Howland, Gerald Niemi, Robert Slesak, Marcella Windmuller-Campione","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00331-940402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00331-940402","url":null,"abstract":"Widespread declines in breeding bird populations have been documented across North America since the 1970s, and concerns about loss of avian biodiversity are growing. Species with narrow habitat preferences are of particular conservation concern. Connecticut Warblers (<em>Oporornis agilis</em>) breed in forests in central Canada and around the western Great Lakes; throughout much of its breeding range, this species is associated with lowland black spruce (<em>Picea mariana</em>) and tamarack (<em>Larix laricina</em>) forests. Population trends of the Connecticut Warbler indicate it is one of the most rapidly declining bird species in North America, but the species is understudied because it occurs in relatively low densities across its breeding range. To better understand the breeding ecology of the Connecticut Warbler, we studied its nesting and post-fledging habitat use and survival in northern Minnesota, USA at two study areas in 2019 and 2020. We mapped territories of 49 singing males, located and monitored 11 nests, and tracked the post-fledging movements of individuals from five broods. Nest sites were located in lowland conifer stands with a semi-open canopy and dense understory. The average fledging age was 7.5 days post-hatch, and the individuals (<em>n</em> = 14) tracked during 0–7 days post-fledging had a mean daily distance from nests of 35.5 m and a maximum distance from nests of 104 m. Connecticut Warblers were not observed making movements of more than 100 m from the nest until 7 days post-fledging. Microsite areas with high stem density were important features for post-fledgling birds, and that the same habitats were used for breeding and the post-fledging period. The results of this study can be used by managers to develop conservation strategies that will provide critical habitat to support this species.","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136208535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00223-940108
M. Guppy, S. Guppy, P. Withers, R. Marchant
{"title":"Home range sizes of 11 bird species on a 10-ha forest site in southeast Australia","authors":"M. Guppy, S. Guppy, P. Withers, R. Marchant","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00223-940108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00223-940108","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71042612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00301-940302
Ryan Leys, L. Grieves
. Determining the sex of individuals in sexually monomorphic bird species outside of the breeding season is difficult. However, many monochromatic species exhibit sex differences in morphometrics, including wing chord length. For example, recent studies found that the Puget Sound ( pugetensis ) and Gambel’s ( gambelii ) subspecies of White-crowned Sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ) can be sexed reliably using wing chord length. However, the Eastern subspecies ( leucophrys ) has not been evaluated. We measured the wing chord length of Eastern White-crowned Sparrows migrating through the Long Point Bird Observatory and specimens from the Fatal Light Awareness Program to determine if this subspecies can be reliably sexed using wing chord length. We combined wing chord length measurements with molecular sexing to test the prediction that males have a significantly longer wing chord length than females. Unfortunately, we only captured one definitive-cycle female and were thus unable to test our prediction in definitive-cycle birds. Males in first-cycle plumage had significantly longer wing chord lengths than females in first-cycle plumage and, outside of an overlapping range (74–76 mm), this subspecies can be reliably sexed using wing chord length. Our results support the use of wing chord length as a tool for bird banders and researchers to determine the sex of Eastern White-crowned Sparrows in
{"title":"Sex determination of Eastern White-crowned Sparrows ( Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys ) using wing chord length","authors":"Ryan Leys, L. Grieves","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00301-940302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00301-940302","url":null,"abstract":". Determining the sex of individuals in sexually monomorphic bird species outside of the breeding season is difficult. However, many monochromatic species exhibit sex differences in morphometrics, including wing chord length. For example, recent studies found that the Puget Sound ( pugetensis ) and Gambel’s ( gambelii ) subspecies of White-crowned Sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ) can be sexed reliably using wing chord length. However, the Eastern subspecies ( leucophrys ) has not been evaluated. We measured the wing chord length of Eastern White-crowned Sparrows migrating through the Long Point Bird Observatory and specimens from the Fatal Light Awareness Program to determine if this subspecies can be reliably sexed using wing chord length. We combined wing chord length measurements with molecular sexing to test the prediction that males have a significantly longer wing chord length than females. Unfortunately, we only captured one definitive-cycle female and were thus unable to test our prediction in definitive-cycle birds. Males in first-cycle plumage had significantly longer wing chord lengths than females in first-cycle plumage and, outside of an overlapping range (74–76 mm), this subspecies can be reliably sexed using wing chord length. Our results support the use of wing chord length as a tool for bird banders and researchers to determine the sex of Eastern White-crowned Sparrows in","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00269-940206
K. Clark, K. Ferree, Kylie Fischer, Stephen Myers
. We studied the foraging behavior of the federally threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica ), an obligate insectivore, during the non-breeding season, a period of reduced survivorship for this non-migratory passerine due to seasonal aridity and the onset of cold winter storms. During the seasonal dry period in fall (October–November), California Gnatcatchers preferentially foraged in fall-blooming shrubs such as coyote brush ( Baccharis pilularis )
{"title":"Foraging preferences of the threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica ) during the non-breeding season","authors":"K. Clark, K. Ferree, Kylie Fischer, Stephen Myers","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00269-940206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00269-940206","url":null,"abstract":". We studied the foraging behavior of the federally threatened coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica ), an obligate insectivore, during the non-breeding season, a period of reduced survivorship for this non-migratory passerine due to seasonal aridity and the onset of cold winter storms. During the seasonal dry period in fall (October–November), California Gnatcatchers preferentially foraged in fall-blooming shrubs such as coyote brush ( Baccharis pilularis )","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00339-940317
Rielle Hoeg, Dave Shutler
Parent birds are under selection to choose nest sites that protect themselves and their nestlings from threats. Burrow-nesting can provide protection from predators and buffer against inclement weather. Soil characteristics within and around burrows may determine suitability of sites for burrow-nesting, and parents may choose sites based on factors such as soil compaction, composition, and moisture. Leach’s Storm-Petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous) nest in burrows on islands that likely reduce predation and provide thermoregulatory and humidity benefits. We tested for associations between volumetric water content (hereafter, soil moisture) and nest site selection, burrow occupancy, and nest success. Soil moisture readings were taken from inactive and active burrow entrances and comparison points on Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Soil moisture was significantly higher at comparison points than at burrows in each year; however, there was no difference in soil moisture at inactive versus active burrows or between burrows that were deemed to have or not to have produced a fledgling. Lower moisture content may allow for easier excavation; however, Leach’s Storm-Petrels often use the same burrow for many years, and soil moisture almost certainly changes over time, so measurements taken during our study may not be representative of conditions when sites were initially chosen. Nonetheless, burrowing will allow freer exchange of water vapor than burrow-free soil so that burrows are expected to have lower moisture than soil within the same microclimate. With climate change increasing the frequency of inclement weather, soil moisture data and use of weather stations may be useful for predicting which petrel burrows will be more susceptible to loss by flooding, thereby informing threat assessments during conservation planning.
{"title":"Soil moisture associations with burrow occupancy and reproductive success of Leach’s Storm-Petrels","authors":"Rielle Hoeg, Dave Shutler","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00339-940317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00339-940317","url":null,"abstract":"Parent birds are under selection to choose nest sites that protect themselves and their nestlings from threats. Burrow-nesting can provide protection from predators and buffer against inclement weather. Soil characteristics within and around burrows may determine suitability of sites for burrow-nesting, and parents may choose sites based on factors such as soil compaction, composition, and moisture. Leach’s Storm-Petrels (<em>Hydrobates leucorhous</em>) nest in burrows on islands that likely reduce predation and provide thermoregulatory and humidity benefits. We tested for associations between volumetric water content (hereafter, soil moisture) and nest site selection, burrow occupancy, and nest success. Soil moisture readings were taken from inactive and active burrow entrances and comparison points on Bon Portage Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Soil moisture was significantly higher at comparison points than at burrows in each year; however, there was no difference in soil moisture at inactive versus active burrows or between burrows that were deemed to have or not to have produced a fledgling. Lower moisture content may allow for easier excavation; however, Leach’s Storm-Petrels often use the same burrow for many years, and soil moisture almost certainly changes over time, so measurements taken during our study may not be representative of conditions when sites were initially chosen. Nonetheless, burrowing will allow freer exchange of water vapor than burrow-free soil so that burrows are expected to have lower moisture than soil within the same microclimate. With climate change increasing the frequency of inclement weather, soil moisture data and use of weather stations may be useful for predicting which petrel burrows will be more susceptible to loss by flooding, thereby informing threat assessments during conservation planning.","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135401224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00259-940203
Antonio Cantu de Leija, Rostam Mirzadi, J. Randall, Maxwell Portmann, E. Mueller, D. Gawlik
{"title":"A meta-analysis of disturbance caused by drones on nesting birds","authors":"Antonio Cantu de Leija, Rostam Mirzadi, J. Randall, Maxwell Portmann, E. Mueller, D. Gawlik","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00259-940203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00259-940203","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00264-940205
F. Sanders, Adam J. P. Smith, J. Thibault, Deborah Carter, Maina Handmaker, F. Smith
{"title":"South Atlantic Bight – a final stop for Ruddy Turnstones migrating to the Arctic","authors":"F. Sanders, Adam J. P. Smith, J. Thibault, Deborah Carter, Maina Handmaker, F. Smith","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00264-940205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00264-940205","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00311-940303
Gilberto J. Férnandez‐Arellano, J. Bonanomi, J. Pinho
. Birds participate in different types of multi-species groups (e.g., mixed-species flocks) occurring from temperate to tropical forest and also savannas. However, the effects of seasonal variation in flocking dynamics and formation in tropical savannas, especially in seasonally flooded wetlands, have received comparatively less attention than tropical forests and temperate ecosystems. Because multi-species groups can reflect specific aspects of the bird community (e.g., temporal dynamics), the present study aims to describe the structure, organization, and seasonal variation of mixed-species flocks in the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland. During the dry, flood, and rainy seasons of 2019 and the flood season of 2020, we observed flocks within the natural mosaic of grassy-shrubby vegetation and patchy forest, and recorded the number of species, individuals (per species), and diversity. Seasonality had a strong influence on flocking structure and organization. During the rainy season, flocks had significantly fewer species, individuals, and diversity, whereas during the dry and flood seasons, flocks had more species, individuals, and diversity. Moreover, we suggest Polioptila dumicola and Casiornis rufus to act, respectively, as the nuclear and the sentinel species of flocks. These species were present in flocks during the year, but they were less frequent during the rainy season. The breeding period during the rainy season may negatively influence the formation of mixed-species flocks, whereas the access to food resources and predator protection may instead facilitate their formation in the dry and flood seasons, respectively. Our results help fill a knowledge gap on how mutualistic interactions among bird species are organized and vary in seasonal and heterogeneous environments
{"title":"Seasonal drivers of mixed-species flocks from tropical savannas: insights from the Pantanal wetland","authors":"Gilberto J. Férnandez‐Arellano, J. Bonanomi, J. Pinho","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00311-940303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00311-940303","url":null,"abstract":". Birds participate in different types of multi-species groups (e.g., mixed-species flocks) occurring from temperate to tropical forest and also savannas. However, the effects of seasonal variation in flocking dynamics and formation in tropical savannas, especially in seasonally flooded wetlands, have received comparatively less attention than tropical forests and temperate ecosystems. Because multi-species groups can reflect specific aspects of the bird community (e.g., temporal dynamics), the present study aims to describe the structure, organization, and seasonal variation of mixed-species flocks in the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland. During the dry, flood, and rainy seasons of 2019 and the flood season of 2020, we observed flocks within the natural mosaic of grassy-shrubby vegetation and patchy forest, and recorded the number of species, individuals (per species), and diversity. Seasonality had a strong influence on flocking structure and organization. During the rainy season, flocks had significantly fewer species, individuals, and diversity, whereas during the dry and flood seasons, flocks had more species, individuals, and diversity. Moreover, we suggest Polioptila dumicola and Casiornis rufus to act, respectively, as the nuclear and the sentinel species of flocks. These species were present in flocks during the year, but they were less frequent during the rainy season. The breeding period during the rainy season may negatively influence the formation of mixed-species flocks, whereas the access to food resources and predator protection may instead facilitate their formation in the dry and flood seasons, respectively. Our results help fill a knowledge gap on how mutualistic interactions among bird species are organized and vary in seasonal and heterogeneous environments","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00342-940315
Robert Smith, Jason Graham, Margret Hatch, Erica Lasek-Nesselquist, Anne Royer
. Although there is abundant evidence that migrant landbirds have modified their migratory timing in response to climate change, few studies have looked for evidence of long-term changes in site use or function, while even fewer studies have looked for differential effects on demographic groups within a species. Here, we analyze 18 years of daily weather data and 17 years of Gray Catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis ) and Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ) capture data to look for evidence of long-term changes in temperature and precipitation as well as arrival timing by species, sex, and age during spring migration in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. We also determined whether there was evidence of protandry in Gray Catbirds, a sexually monochromatic species. Additionally, we investigated changes in site use, as indicated by long-term change in capture rates or rates of mass gain by age or sex in both species. Although average daily temperatures did not change, we found long-term changes in the amount and probability of precipitation during the spring migratory period (April–May). We also found that both species advanced their arrival timing (Gray Catbirds ~6.6 d/decade, Common Yellowthroats ~2.8 d/decade) and that advances in arrival timing varied by sex or age in both species. We found no evidence of protandry in Gray Catbirds. Further, we found evidence that site functionality changed for both species, as demonstrated by sex-related differences in yearly mass gain for birds using the study site. Understanding the phenological response of migratory species to climate change requires consideration of climate change effects across multiple temporal and geographic scales, and, as our results suggest, consideration of differential effects of climate change by demographic groups within species
{"title":"Long-term changes in arrival timing and site functionality in two passerine species during spring migration in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA","authors":"Robert Smith, Jason Graham, Margret Hatch, Erica Lasek-Nesselquist, Anne Royer","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00342-940315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00342-940315","url":null,"abstract":". Although there is abundant evidence that migrant landbirds have modified their migratory timing in response to climate change, few studies have looked for evidence of long-term changes in site use or function, while even fewer studies have looked for differential effects on demographic groups within a species. Here, we analyze 18 years of daily weather data and 17 years of Gray Catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis ) and Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ) capture data to look for evidence of long-term changes in temperature and precipitation as well as arrival timing by species, sex, and age during spring migration in northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. We also determined whether there was evidence of protandry in Gray Catbirds, a sexually monochromatic species. Additionally, we investigated changes in site use, as indicated by long-term change in capture rates or rates of mass gain by age or sex in both species. Although average daily temperatures did not change, we found long-term changes in the amount and probability of precipitation during the spring migratory period (April–May). We also found that both species advanced their arrival timing (Gray Catbirds ~6.6 d/decade, Common Yellowthroats ~2.8 d/decade) and that advances in arrival timing varied by sex or age in both species. We found no evidence of protandry in Gray Catbirds. Further, we found evidence that site functionality changed for both species, as demonstrated by sex-related differences in yearly mass gain for birds using the study site. Understanding the phenological response of migratory species to climate change requires consideration of climate change effects across multiple temporal and geographic scales, and, as our results suggest, consideration of differential effects of climate change by demographic groups within species","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71043859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-01-01DOI: 10.5751/jfo-00303-940403
Fabian Anger, Marc Förschler
Low intensity grazing is an increasingly used tool in conservation. It creates beneficial conditions for biodiversity by shaping structural diverse habitats. An important resource provided by grazing are dung pats because many species are associated with those, especially arthropods. Because most birds depend on arthropods as a food source, dung pats may improve food availability. To investigate the role of dung pats as food-providing resources for birds, we conceived a camera trap study in the Black Forest National Park (Germany). Up to eight camera traps were simultaneously placed at dung pats of Heck cattle (Bos taurus) and Konik horses (Equus caballus) on low intensity grazing pastures. They recorded 229 foraging events of 26 different bird species between June 2021 and January 2022. Common Blackbirds (Turdus merula) were the most common foraging birds, typically breaking up dung pats in search of food and foraging up to 21 minutes at a single dung pat. Most other birds mainly picked up food items from the surface of dung pats. Birds used dung pats for foraging during the whole study period, even if they were covered with snow. Our study shows that dung pats can provide food for many bird species and highlights the importance of permanent low intensity grazing in conservation.
{"title":"Resident and migrant birds use livestock dung pats for foraging","authors":"Fabian Anger, Marc Förschler","doi":"10.5751/jfo-00303-940403","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5751/jfo-00303-940403","url":null,"abstract":"Low intensity grazing is an increasingly used tool in conservation. It creates beneficial conditions for biodiversity by shaping structural diverse habitats. An important resource provided by grazing are dung pats because many species are associated with those, especially arthropods. Because most birds depend on arthropods as a food source, dung pats may improve food availability. To investigate the role of dung pats as food-providing resources for birds, we conceived a camera trap study in the Black Forest National Park (Germany). Up to eight camera traps were simultaneously placed at dung pats of Heck cattle (<em>Bos taurus</em>) and Konik horses (<em>Equus caballus</em>) on low intensity grazing pastures. They recorded 229 foraging events of 26 different bird species between June 2021 and January 2022. Common Blackbirds (<em>Turdus merula</em>) were the most common foraging birds, typically breaking up dung pats in search of food and foraging up to 21 minutes at a single dung pat. Most other birds mainly picked up food items from the surface of dung pats. Birds used dung pats for foraging during the whole study period, even if they were covered with snow. Our study shows that dung pats can provide food for many bird species and highlights the importance of permanent low intensity grazing in conservation.","PeriodicalId":15785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Field Ornithology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135002075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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