Responses to experimental reduction and increase of cavities by a secondary cavity-nesting bird community in cavity-rich Pyrenean oak forests

2012 ◽  
Vol 277 ◽  
pp. 46-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Robles ◽  
Carlos Ciudad ◽  
Erik Matthysen
Keyword(s):  
Bird Community ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Cavity Nesting

scholarly journals Woodpecker Nest Tree Characteristics in Upper Midwestern Oak Forests

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Collette L. Adkins Giese ◽  
Francesca J. Cuthbert
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Timber Harvest ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Upper Midwest ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Active Nest ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Chi Square Analysis ◽  
Tree Characteristics

Characteristics of woodpecker nest trees have been widely studied in some regions of North America. However, there is little research from the Upper Midwest. Forest managers need information on woodpecker nest tree characteristics so they can recommend leaving during harvest trees that meet the needs of cavity-dwelling wildlife. Information specific to the Upper Midwest is especially important given that declines in several species of cavity nesting birds have been predicted by an environmental analysis of timber harvest in Minnesota. Our purpose was to identify attributes of nest trees used by primary cavity-nesting birds. We compared nest trees to unused trees and examined differences in nest trees among woodpecker species. We found 166 active woodpecker nests in upper midwestern oak forests in 1997 and 1998. For each nest tree, we recorded height, diameter, status, and aspects of tree decay. We also measured four potential nest trees (non-nest trees, within size requirements of cavity-nesting birds, with at least 2 indicators of heartwood decay) closest to each active nest tree. Additionally, we recorded these measurements for 137 randomly selected potential nest trees. Using paired t-tests and chi-square analysis, we found each woodpecker species had a unique set of characteristics that separated nest trees from potential nest trees. Using an extension of the McNemar test for related samples, we found woodpeckers as a group used trees that were larger, both in diameter and height, more often elm (Ulmus americana, U. rubra) or aspen (Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata), more likely to have old cavities present, and with more decay indicators than adjacent potential nest trees. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) differed from the other woodpecker species by nesting in living Trembling Aspens (Populus tremuloides) with intact tops, complete bark cover, and heartwood fungus. Diameters of nest trees differed significantly among woodpecker species, but unlike findings from other studies, the height of nest hole and nest tree did not. Woodpecker nest entrances faced south or southeast significantly more often than by chance alone, even when excluding leaning trees. This study suggests that generic forest management for all woodpecker species may not be adequate because individual species have specific nest tree requirements. Management recommendations for cavity-nesting birds need to be tailored to meet the needs of a diversity of species.

scholarly journals Pre- and post-experimental manipulation assessments confirm the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Cuatianquiz Lima ◽  
Constantino Macías Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Forest Type ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Experimental Manipulation ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Forest Plantations ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Tree Cavities ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Young Forest ◽  
Large Trees

Secondary cavity nesting (SCN) birds breed in holes that they do not excavate themselves. This is possible where there are large trees whose size and age permit the digging of holes by primary excavators and only rarely happens in forest plantations, where we expected a deficit of both breeding holes and SCN species. We assessed whether the availability of tree cavities influenced the number of SCNs in two temperate forest types, and evaluated the change in number of SCNs after adding nest boxes. First, we counted all cavities within each of our 25-m radius sampling points in mature and young forest plots during 2009. We then added nest boxes at standardised locations during 2010 and 2011 and conducted fortnightly bird counts (January–October 2009–2011). In 2011 we added two extra plots of each forest type, where we also conducted bird counts. Prior to adding nest boxes, counts revealed more SCNs in mature than in young forest. Following the addition of nest boxes, the number of SCNs increased significantly in the points with nest boxes in both types of forest. Counts in 2011 confirmed the increase in number of birds due to the addition of nest boxes. Given the likely benefits associated with a richer bird community we propose that, as is routinely done in some countries, forest management programs preserve old tree stumps and add nest boxes to forest plantations in order to increase bird numbers and bird community diversity.

scholarly journals Nest-Site Reuse Patterns for a Cavity-Nesting Bird Community in Interior British Columbia

The Auk ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E H. Aitken ◽  
K. L. Wiebe ◽  
K. Martin
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Nest Cavity ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Managed Landscapes ◽  
Nest Site Limitation ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Most obligate cavity-nesting birds are considered to be nest-site limited, either by time or energy to excavate or to acquire suitable holes for nesting. We examined rates of nest-cavity reuse for a rich community of cavity-nesting birds in mixed forests in interior British Columbia. Using a sample of 402 cavity-reuse cases over five years, we measured cavity reuse for 20 cavity-nesting bird and mammal species (three guilds), and examined the relationship between nest-cavity reuse and features of cavities, nest trees, and forest stands. Eight percent of used cavities were destroyed between years. Reuse rates were 17% for the cavities of weak excavators such as nuthatches and chickadees, 28% for formerly active woodpecker nests, and 48% for cavities previously used by secondary cavity nesting birds, but there was considerable species variation within all guilds. Nest cavities in aspen that were deep with large entrances had the highest reuse. At the forest stand level, cavities in trees close to edges and in sites with more edge habitat had greater reuse. Reused cavities tended to be occupied in sequential years rather than being inactive for a year. With increasing amounts of managed landscapes, availability of suitable cavities for forest nesting vertebrates is decreasing. Reuse of existing cavities might help mitigate the problem of nest-site limitation.

Bird Community Response to Timber Stand Improvement and Snag Retention

1990 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lee Stribling ◽  
Harvey R. Smith ◽  
Richard H. Yahner
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Insectivorous Birds ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Forest Managers

Abstract Avian surveys were conducted from May-July, 1985 on four study areas in the Moshannon State Forest, Clearfield Co., PA. We compared bird populations and communities in Timber Stand Improvement areas to Timber Stand Improvement areas with snags retained (TSI vs. TSI + SNAG, respectively). Bird numbers averaged 1.7 times higher on the TSI + SNAG area than on the TSI area. Average species richness also was significantly higher on TSI + SNAG. Retention of snags was important to bark-gleaning and cavity-nesting birds. During TSI operations, forest managers can improve habitat for cavity-nesting and bark-gleaning birds by leaving snags. The costs of leaving snags is low, and the long-term benefits provided by insectivorous birds outweigh the costs. North. J. Appl. For. 7(1):35-38, March 1990.

Lack of Nest Site Limitation in a Cavity-Nesting Bird Community

1990 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey R. Waters ◽  
Barry R. Noon ◽  
Jared Verner
Keyword(s):  
Nest Site ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
Nest Site Limitation

scholarly journals Unmanaged forest and bird community: a study in north-western Lombardy

2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Guenzani ◽  
Fabio Saporetti
Keyword(s):  
Dead Wood ◽  
Bird Community ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Cavity Nesting ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Unmanaged Forest ◽  
North Western ◽  
Alluvial Forest ◽  
Selection Of

Breeding bird community was censused in an area of 15.9 ha in 2000/20001, on the shores of Lake of Varese, in an Alno-Ulmion alluvial forest. The mean number of the territories was 93 pairs/10 ha/year and nests of cavity-nesting birds were actively searched for analysing the selection of dead wood.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document