Date of Defense

Spring 4-21-1995

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Richard Brewer, Biological Sciences

Second Advisor

Mary Dillworth Clinthorne, Geography

Third Advisor

Raymond Adams, Kalamazoo Nature Center

Keywords

ornithology

Abstract

Fall migrant wood warblers, thrushes, and kinglets have been banded in southern Kalamazoo County, Michigan, since 1990. Wood warblers (Parulidae) seem to have predominantly been captured in nets near water in shrubby habitats with the exception of Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) which seem to prefer the dense understory of the deciduous woods. Like the ovenbird, many migrant thrushes (Turdidae) appear to be caught in the woods. Kinglets seem to have been caught randomly among all habitats. Regression analysis of several vegetation parameters as predictors of capture rate (number of new birds per 100 open net hours) shows that kinglets are caught in dense shrubby habitats (r2=.156, p=0.0341), ovenbird capture rate is best predicted by canopy density (r2=0.135, p=0.5) and with a multiple linear model of canopy density with the variable subcanopy density (r2=0.253, p=0.0226). The capture rate of the rest of the wood warblers was predicted by a variety of models including canopy density, shrub density, and distance to water. Thrush capture rate was predicted by subcanopy density (r2=0.168, p=0.0272). A map of the site was created during the project and percentage of juveniles caught per net was compiled.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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