Do woodland birds prefer to forage in healthy Eucalyptus wandoo trees?

T.L. Moore; L.E. Valentine; M.D. Craig; G.E.St.J. Hardy; P.A. Fleming

doi:10.1071/ZO13045

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Do woodland birds prefer to forage in healthy Eucalyptus wandoo trees?

Journal article

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Do woodland birds prefer to forage in healthy Eucalyptus wandoo trees?

T.L. Moore, L.E. Valentine, M.D. Craig, G.E.St.J. Hardy and P.A. Fleming

Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.61(3), pp.187-195

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO13045

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Abstract

Globally, many forests and woodlands are in decline. The marked loss of canopy foliage typical of these declines results in reduced foraging resources (e.g. nectar, pollen, and insects) and, subsequently, can reduce habitat quality for woodland birds. In south-west Western Australia, patches of Eucalyptus wandoo woodlands have shown a decline in condition since at least 2002. We investigated how changes in E. wandoo condition affect the woodland bird community. Foraging activities of three bird species were recorded for 20 sites in Dryandra State Forest and Wandoo Conservation Park either by conducting watches on focal trees ('sitting' method), or following individuals through the woodland ('following' method). Condition assessments of trees used by the birds were compared with those for trees available at the study site. Weebills (Smicrornis brevirostris; canopy insectivore) displayed preference for healthy trees (low amounts of canopy dieback), whereas rufous treecreepers (Climacteris rufa; bark-foraging insectivore) preferred trees with a higher proportion of dead branches. Yellow-plumed honeyeaters (Lichenostomus ornatus; insectivore/nectarivore) foraged in older, larger E. wandoo trees having full canopies with few signs of tree decline. Tree declines, such as that happening in E. wandoo, alter the foraging resources and habitat available to woodland birds.

Details

Title: Do woodland birds prefer to forage in healthy Eucalyptus wandoo trees?
Authors/Creators: T.L. Moore (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
L.E. Valentine (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
M.D. Craig (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
G.E.St.J. Hardy (Author/Creator)
P.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.61(3), pp.187-195
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Identifiers: 991005541847907891
Copyright: © CSIRO 2013
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Centre of Excellence for Climate Change and Forest and Woodland Health
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.40 Forestry; 3.40.195 Biodiversity Conservation
Web Of Science research areas: Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science