Bird populations in logged and unlogged western larch/Douglas-fir forest in northwestern Montana

Bret W. Tobalske; Raymond C. Shearer; Richard L. Hutto

doi:10.2737/INT-RP-442

Treesearch

Bird populations in logged and unlogged western larch/Douglas-fir forest in northwestern Montana

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Bret W. Tobalske, Raymond C. Shearer, Richard L. Hutto

Year:

1991

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/INT-RP-442

Source:

Res. Pap. INT-GTR-442. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 12 p.

Download (PDF 1.92 MB)

Download (PDF 1.92 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/41404.pdf

Abstract

Of 32 species of abundant breeding birds, populations of 10 species differed significantly between small cutting units and adjacent uncut forest. Foliage foragers and tree gleaners were less abundant in cutting units, while flycatching species and ground foragers were more common there. Of nesting guilds, conifer tree nesters were least abundant in cutting units, and ground nesters were more common there. Results suggest that bird management should consider diverse community-level habitat needs and that if maintenance of tree-dependent species is important, broadleaf trees and snags of all species should be retained.

Keywords

breeding birds, bird habitat, wildlife management, timber harvesting

Citation

Tobalske, Bret W.; Shearer, Raymond C.; Hutto, Richard L. 1991. Bird populations in logged and unlogged western larch/Douglas-fir forest in northwestern Montana. Res. Pap. INT-RP-442. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 12 p.