A preliminary survey of forest bird communities in northern Idaho

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Peterson, Steven R.

Source:

Northwest Science, Northwest Scientific Association, Volume 56, Issue 4, p.287-298 (1982)

Call Number:

A82PET01IDUS

Keywords:

Abies grandis, Pachistima myrsinites, Tsuga heterophylla

Abstract:

Bird communities were examined in the hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)/pachistima (Pachistima myrsinites) and grand fir (Abies grandis)/pachistima (Pachistima myrsinites) habitat types of northern Idaho in 1975 and 1976. Highest number of species and highest densities of breeding birds utilized the tall shrub communities or the shrub communities mixed with conifers. Bird diversity was relatively low in recent clearcuts or very early successional stages, then rose rapidly and reached an asymprote. Several examples are given to illustrate species replacement as vegetative communities changed.