A5009512141- Avian ecology and behavior
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Medicinal Plant Pharmacodynamics Research
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Forest ecology and management
- Forest Management and Policy
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Climate variability and models
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
University of Vermont
2012-2024
Cornell University
2015
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
2015
MacAulay-Brown (United States)
2015
Ithaca College
2015
Oregon State University
2011
Tulane University
1994-2005
United States Geological Survey
2005
SUNY Plattsburgh
2005
National Audubon Society
1995-1997
Summary 1. Food availability has been considered one of the most important factors limiting bird populations, yet effects food abundance on non‐breeding insectivores rarely investigated. We studied body condition ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapillus L.), a sexually monomorphic, ground‐foraging, Neotropical–Nearctic migrant warbler during two winters in three habitats their wintering grounds Jamaica. 2. Prey biomass decreased from early to late winter all habitats. Concurrently, ovenbird mass,...
In recent decades, earlier and more frequent harvests of agricultural grasslands have been implicated as a major cause population declines in grassland songbirds. From 2002 to 2005, the Champlain Valley Vermont New York, USA, we studied reproductive success Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) on four treatments: (1) early-hayed fields cut before 11 June again early- mid-July; (2) middle-hayed once between 21 10 July; (3) late-hayed after 1 August;...
Enlarge Figure 1.Breeding range of the Bobolink.
With >70% of the United States held in private ownership, land-use decisions landowners will ultimately dictate future bird conservation North America. However, objectives vary considerably and present opportunities challenges for conservationists. Innovative strategies incorporating proactive approaches to address educational, financial, social, economic needs are required garner participation programs practices create or enhance habitat on privately owned working lands. Farm Bill provide...
In some species, habitat edges (ecotones) affect nest-site selection and nesting success. Openness, or how visually open a is, has recently been shown to influence grassland bird density may selection, possibly by reducing the risk of predation on adults, nests, both. Because edge openness are correlated, it is possible that effects have overlooked inappropriately ascribed effects. We tested roles visual in success two passerines, Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) Savannah Sparrow...
Summary Explanations for the integration of migratory and non‐migratory (resident) birds in Neotropics have been complicated by paradox that arthropod abundances are low when bird reach their annual peak. The breeding currency hypothesis offers an explanation this postulating resident limited season availability large arthropods suitable reproduction, whereas carrying capacity all non‐breeding is self‐maintenance adults. Field data from Jamaica supported hypothesis. Among 19 sites, ratio...
Population growth and decline are particularly sensitive to changes in three key life-history parameters: annual productivity, juvenile survival, adult survival. However, for many species these parameters remain unknown. For example, although grassland songbirds imperiled throughout North America, this guild, only a small number of studies have assessed parameters. From 2002 2006, the agricultural landscape Champlain Valley Vermont New York, USA, we studied Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus...
Abstract We examined a case study where successful wildlife‐friendly model for intensively managed hayland was developed from field data and implemented locally as policy by federal agency. Farmers were ensured first hay‐harvest with high protein content; after 65‐day delay (compared to the normal 35–40‐day cutting cycle) farmers took second harvest of greater quantity but decreased quality. paid $247–333/ha in 2008–2010 offset costs associated nutritional content caused approximately 25‐day...
We investigated resource use by breeding Tricolored Herons (Egretta tricolor) and Snowy Egrets (E. thula) at a regional scale (1,312 km2) during three years (1987-1989) with dissimilar water levels. documented the direction distance flown from colony to feeding sites, habitat selection, daily movement patterns, flock size, diet Rodgers River Bay in Everglades National Park, Florida. The general pattern of flight was similar between two species; both species flew northwest 1987, wet year,...
Considerable uncertainty surrounds the conditions under which birds can cause trophic cascades. In a three‐year experiment, we studied direct and indirect effects of insectivorous on arthropod abundance, herbivory, growth striped maple Acer pensylvanicum saplings in northern hardwood forest central New Hampshire, USA. We manipulated bird predation by erecting exclosures around directly herbivory removing herbivores. also examined how climate modifies these interactions replicating experiment...
Changes in site occupancy across habitat patches have often been attributed to landscape features fragmented systems, particularly when considering metapopulations. However, failure include quality of individual can mask the relative importance local scale determining distributional changes. We employed dynamic modeling compare strength variables and metrics patterns as drivers metapopulation dynamics for a vulnerable, high‐elevation species naturally landscape. Repeat surveys Bicknell's...
Abstract We studied long‐term (2002–2009) demographics of bobolinks ( Dolichonyx oryzivorus ) and savannah sparrows Passerculus sandwichensis breeding in rotationally grazed systems the northeastern United States. Both nest success (6–44% bobolink; 7–48% sparrow) annual productivity (0.43–2.83 0.70–2.35 varied annually. Predation (48%) trampling by cows (32%) accounted for most failed nests. Annual adult apparent survival ranged from 23% to 85% showed substantial variation species sex....
Knowledge of breeding dispersal, defined as shifts in territory location between two successive seasons, remains limited for migratory passerines. We investigated the relationship ecological factors, habitat structure and reproductive success, 499 dispersal events a Nearctic—Neotropic songbird, Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, from 1998 to 2008. Male distance was correlated with both individual age structure, older...
In the northeastern United States, most populations of grassland songbirds occur on private lands. However, little information exists about attitudes farmers toward habitat management for this guild. To address gap, we surveyed 131 dairy in Vermont's Champlain Valley to assess current hayfield practices and farmers' willingness adopt more "bird-friendly" practices. Our results showed a clear trend earlier frequent cuts. Farmers indicated they have flexibility alter timing their cuts land....
Shustack, D. P., A. M. Strong, and T. Donovan. 2010. Habitat use patterns of Bobolinks Savannah Sparrows in the northeastern United States. Avian Conservation Ecology 5(2): 11.http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ACE-00423-050211
In intertidal zones, tidal cycles reduce water depths and provide areas of shallow where wading birds can forage for aquatic prey (water 0–50 cm). However, a bird that forages diurnally make use only portion the cycle, which limit fulfillment energetic demands. Furthermore, daily biweekly (spring–neap) tides may compound effects on shallow-water availability foraging birds. relative periodicities ecology are seldom investigated due to lack appropriate tools. Therefore, we developed...
To address whether foraging strategies affect habitat-use patterns of nonbreeding warblers, I quantified behavior, bill dimensions, and diet (based on regurgitation samples) Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) Swainson's Warblers (Limnothlypis swainsonii) wintering in three habitats Jamaica. primarily gleaned prey from the surface leaf litter (95% maneuvers), resulting a comprised predominantly ants (62% all items), seeds (18%), beetles (9%). foraged by lifting leaves (80% significantly...
Dispersal is a key process in the metapopulation dynamics and genetic structure of spatially segregated populations. However, our knowledge avian dispersal, particularly migratory passerines, remains limited. We studied dispersal Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) to determine whether agricultural management practices affected patterns habitat selection. From 2002 2006, we banded adults nestlings on six focal hay fields two pastures Champlain...
Abstract Aim Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities ecosystem services they provide. However, particularly in human‐dominated island ecosystems, introduced species may alter mutualistic interactions. Based on an extensive dataset plant–frugivore interactions, we mapped analysed a meta‐network across Caribbean archipelago. Specifically, searched subcommunity structure (modularity) identified types facilitating integration...
In hay fields in the northeastern United States, Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) whose first nests fail as a result of harvesting renest same field dramatically altered habitat. We evaluated availability invertebrate prey two treatments (harvested and unharvested fields) Vermont's Champlain Valley assessed potential effects food resources on clutch size, provisioning by adults, growth nestling Sparrows. A relative measure biomass (sweep-net samples) showed 36–82% decline after...
Grassland birds are often affected negatively by habitat fragmentation. Outcomes include greater nest predation and brood parasitism, decreased colonization rates of small, isolated patches, density in remnant core habitats. These effects have been well documented the Midwest, but little is known about fragmentation edge on grassland fragmented agricultural fields within forested landscapes northeastern United States. From 2002 to 2010, we assessed how edges types nest-site location daily...