Effects of prescribed burning on nongame birds in a sagebrush community

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We documented the responses of nongame birds to a prescribed fire in a sagebrush community in southeastern Idaho (2 years preburn and 4 years postburn). The fire produced a mosaic of burned (45%) and unburned habitat patches and resulted in a decrease in sagebrush coverage and increases in coverage of forbs and bare ground. After the fire, experimental (burned) study plots consistently supported 1 more bird species than control plots. By the fourth postburn season, total bird densities on experimental plots were greater than those on control plots. Sage and Brewer's sparrows dominated the bird assemblages associated with both treatments. Sage sparrow densities were unaffected by fire; Brewer's sparrow numbers declined in the 2 breeding seasons after fire but more than doubled thereafter. Sage thrashers showed no response to fire, and western meadowlarks increased slightly. Horned larks and vesper sparrows colonized burned areas. The return rate of male sage sparrows was somewhat reduced 2 years after fire. Sage sparrow nest survival probabilities and clutch sizes varied annually on control plots but did not differ between treatments after fire. Mass growth rate of sage sparrow nestlings increased the first 2 years post burn. Sage sparrow mating success and fledgling production were not influenced by fire. Brewer's sparrow return rate, mating success, clutch size, fledgling production, and nestling growth were unaffected by fire. Nest survival probabilities of Brewer's sparrows varied among years on experimental plots, but treatments did not differ. Burning altered nest-site and nest-vicinity characteristics of both sparrows, and the changes generally paralleled those that occurred in habitat characteristics measured in the study area in general. Moderate, incomplete burns are not detrimental to nongame bird populations nor to important components of sage and Brewer's sparrow breeding biology. When giving consideration to nongame birds in range burning, we recommend mosaic-pattern, narrow-strip, or small-block burns and long-term monitoring of controls as well as treated sites.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology: Birds

Full Citation: Peterson, K. L., and L. B. Best. 1987. Effects of prescribed burning on nongame birds in a sagebrush community. Wildlife Society Bulletin 15(3): 317-329.