AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Interference Competition and Niche Shifts in the Bark-Foraging Guild in Central Illinois

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1979
Authors:Williams, JB, Batzli, GO
Journal:The Wilson Bulletin
Volume:91
Issue:3
Date Published:1979
ISBN Number:00435643
Keywords:Certhia americana, Dryobates pubescens, Melanerpes, Melanerpes carolinus, Melanerpes erythrocephalus, Mohoua novaeseelandiae, Picidae, Picoides pubescens, Sitta, Sitta carolinensis, Sitta europaea, Sittidae
Abstract:Red-headed Woodpeckers influenced the horizontal distribution of Red-bellied Woodpeckers by aggressively displacing them to the lowland area in winter. In the presence of Red-headed Woodpeckers in the upland, Downy Woodpeckers shifted to lower portions of the canopy and used a wider variety of tree species and limb diameters to acquire food. In the lowland where Red-headed Woodpeckers were less abundant, Downy Woodpeckers did not shift height of foraging regardless of the competitive environment. White-breasted Nuthatches and Brown Creepers also shifted along some dimensions in response to the presence of Red-headed Woodpeckers. During the breeding season interspecific interactions had less influence on foraging patterns of the guild.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4161241
Short Title:The Wilson Bulletin
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