Effects of Plant Species and Foliage Structure on the Foraging Behavior of Forest Birds

• DOI: 10.2307/4086894
• Publication Date: 2012-09-14T11:21:36Z
• Authors: Scott K. Robinson; Richard T. Holmes
• Keywords: Understory; Arboreal locomotion

Abstract We quantified the behavior of four species passerine birds foraging for arthropods among foliage different plant and vertical strata a northern hardwoods forest in New Hampshire (USA). Two (Vireo olivaceus Setophaga ruticilla) often changed their patterns but not tree species, except white ash. In latter, both flew more frequently between perches while searching prey, which reflects open canopy sparser distribution ash foliage. A third philadelphicus) was stereotyped its search attack methods had variable rates, indicating greater success some microhabitats than others. The fourth (Dendroica caerulescens), inhabits understory, showed few significant differences or behavior, despite considerable variety sizes, shapes, arrangements leaves available species. S. ruticilla were further influenced by abundance major prey type (leafhoppers, Cicadellidae: Homoptera) active escape those prey. conclude that these bird all at distance fly up to hover snatch arthropod from leaf surfaces, are relatively unaffected details structure such as size, shape, petiole length, arrangement on twigs. within plant, however, and, cases, certain food resources do differentially influence tactics capture Because availability vary with floristics site will strongly "foraging opportunities" therefore exploiting particular habitats.