Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds
Abstract Background Efficient and safe movement is fundamental for wild birds to thrive in their environments. For arboreal forest animals, especially birds, canopy cover has a large impact on birds’ daily movements and is a crucial component of conservation strategies seeking to retain avian popula...
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00260-x |
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doaj-ae600c291aff4a72a54bde9b4b891fc02021-05-23T11:16:09ZengBMCAvian Research2053-71662021-05-011211810.1186/s40657-021-00260-xHomeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birdsJin Bai0Chelsea A. Weitekamp1Kelly Frye2Kathryn E. Sieving3Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of FloridaForest Resources and Conservation, University of FloridaWildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of FloridaWildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of FloridaAbstract Background Efficient and safe movement is fundamental for wild birds to thrive in their environments. For arboreal forest animals, especially birds, canopy cover has a large impact on birds’ daily movements and is a crucial component of conservation strategies seeking to retain avian population in disturbed or urban habitats. Methods We translocated woodland bird species utilizing different forest strata during two non-breeding seasons in Gainesville, FL, USA. We used linear model and generalized linear model to examine the effects of canopy cover and species identity on homing success and speed. Results Among our study species of Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), we found that Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were more likely to return than Northern Cardinals. Among birds that successfully returned, homing speed is significantly affected by forest canopy cover and species identity (titmice had higher homing speed than cardinals). Birds return much faster in landscape with higher canopy cover. Conclusions This study presented evidence of species identity’s effect on homing success and speed in common feeder bird species in Southeast US and provided further evidence that bird movements in the suburban land cover are constrained by low canopy cover.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00260-xForest bird movementForest canopy coverHoming behaviourNon-breeding seasonSite fidelity |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Jin Bai Chelsea A. Weitekamp Kelly Frye Kathryn E. Sieving |
spellingShingle |
Jin Bai Chelsea A. Weitekamp Kelly Frye Kathryn E. Sieving Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds Avian Research Forest bird movement Forest canopy cover Homing behaviour Non-breeding season Site fidelity |
author_facet |
Jin Bai Chelsea A. Weitekamp Kelly Frye Kathryn E. Sieving |
author_sort |
Jin Bai |
title |
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
title_short |
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
title_full |
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
title_fullStr |
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
title_full_unstemmed |
Homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
title_sort |
homeward bound: canopy cover and species identity influence non-breeding season homing success and speed in forest birds |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Avian Research |
issn |
2053-7166 |
publishDate |
2021-05-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Efficient and safe movement is fundamental for wild birds to thrive in their environments. For arboreal forest animals, especially birds, canopy cover has a large impact on birds’ daily movements and is a crucial component of conservation strategies seeking to retain avian population in disturbed or urban habitats. Methods We translocated woodland bird species utilizing different forest strata during two non-breeding seasons in Gainesville, FL, USA. We used linear model and generalized linear model to examine the effects of canopy cover and species identity on homing success and speed. Results Among our study species of Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), we found that Carolina Chickadees and Tufted Titmice were more likely to return than Northern Cardinals. Among birds that successfully returned, homing speed is significantly affected by forest canopy cover and species identity (titmice had higher homing speed than cardinals). Birds return much faster in landscape with higher canopy cover. Conclusions This study presented evidence of species identity’s effect on homing success and speed in common feeder bird species in Southeast US and provided further evidence that bird movements in the suburban land cover are constrained by low canopy cover. |
topic |
Forest bird movement Forest canopy cover Homing behaviour Non-breeding season Site fidelity |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40657-021-00260-x |
work_keys_str_mv |
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