Landbird species composition and relative abundance during migration along the Rio Grande

Abstract

In this paper, we report species composition and relative abundances of stopover migrants during spring and fall migration along the middle Rio Grande in 1994. We recorded 157 landbird species using mist-netting and survey methods at two sites on the Rio Grande, the Bosque del Apache and the Rio Grande Nature Center. A total of 6,509 birds was captured during spring and fall migrations at these sites. Of 157 species, 47% were neotropical long-distance migrants, 50% were short-distance migrants, and the remaining 3% were residents or border migrants. Comparisons of relative abundance from our 1994 field research to similar findings from studies conducted in 1981-83 and 1987-90 demonstrated that populations of many species have remained relatively stable over approximately 6 and 12 year periods, while some species have become more common or rare. Research recommendations focusing on bird use of stopover habitats during migration along the Rio Grande are provided.

Parent Publication

• Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together

Citation

Yong, Wang; Finch, Deborah M. 1996. Landbird species composition and relative abundance during migration along the Rio Grande. In: Shaw, Douglas W.; Finch, Deborah M., tech coords. Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together. 1995 Sept. 18-22, 1995; Albuquerque, NM. General Technical Report RM-GTR-272. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. p. 77-92.