Feeding habits of songbirds in East Texas clearcuts during winter

Abstract

This east Texas study was undertaken to determine the importance of seeds of forbs, grasses, and woody shrubs to songbirds wintering in young pine plantations which had been established utilizing the clearcut regeneration system. The feeding habits and preferences of four species of songbirds, northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyernalis), and white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) were examined from November to February of 1980-81, 1981-82, and 1982-83. Differences in consumption percentages were compared among bird species using ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range tests. Paired t-tests were used to compare seeds consumed to seeds available by bird species. Differences (P

Citation

Worthington, Donald W.; Whiting, R. Montague Jr.; Dickson, James G. 2004. Feeding habits of songbirds in East Texas clearcuts during winter. Texas J. Sci., Vol. 56(4): 427-440