AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Avian Use of Rural Roadsides with Cattail (Typha spp.)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2008
Authors:Safratowich, B, Linz, GM, Bleier, WH, H. Homan, J
Journal:American Midland Naturalist
Volume:159
Issue:1
Date Published:2008
ISBN Number:00030031
Keywords:Agelaius, Agelaius phoeniceus, Emberizidae, Geothlypis, Geothlypis trichas, Icteridae, Melospiza, Melospiza melodia, Parulidae, Turdidae, Turdus, Turdus maximus, Turdus merula
Abstract:We surveyed 30 roadsides in North Dakota's Prairie Pothole Region for birds and active nests between May and July 2001-2002. Each roadside transect was 1608 m and had ≥200 linear meters of standing cattail (Typha spp.). We recorded 45 bird species; four species of Icteridae dominated the avifauna. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were both the most abundant species and most abundant nester, averaging 53 birds/10 ha (SE = 7.7) and 30 nests/10 ha (SE = 9.7). Among non-icterid species, song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) ranked first and second consecutively in 2001 and 2002. Canonical correspondence analyses of species compositions indicated that species abundance was related to two roadside variables, length and water depth of cattail stands. Cattails added habitat diversity and acceptable conditions for wetland-dwelling avian species not typically found in rural roadsides outside of the Prairie Pothole Region. We documented use of roadsides by three species of grassland birds of national or regional conservation concern. Roadsides in North Dakota, although dominated mostly by generalist bird species with edge tolerance, may have some management potential for area-dependent grassland birds.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/20491319
Short Title:American Midland Naturalist
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith