The oak woodland bird conservation plan: a strategy for protecting and managing oak woodland habitats and associated birds in California

Abstract

Over 330 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians depend on oak woodlands in California at some stage in their life cycle. California oak woodlands may rank among the top three habitat types in North America for bird richness. Oak woodlands are able to sustain such abundant wildlife primarily because they produce acorns, a high quality and frequently copious food supply. Oaks also provide important shelter in the form of cavities for nesting. Moreover, oak woodlands are among the most highly prized of California’s landscapes, for both aesthetic reasons and utilitarian needs such as firewood collection and grazing.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the fifth symposium on oak woodlands: oaks in California’s changing landscape. 2001 October 22-25; San Diego, CA.

Citation

Zack, Steve; Chase, Mary K.; Geupel, Geoffrey R. 2002. The oak woodland bird conservation plan: a strategy for protecting and managing oak woodland habitats and associated birds in California. In: Standiford, Richard B., et al, tech. editor. Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium on Oak Woodlands: Oaks in California''s Challenging Landscape. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-184, Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture: 845-846