Winter population dynamics of three species of mast-eating birds in the eastern United States

TitleWinter population dynamics of three species of mast-eating birds in the eastern United States
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1986
AuthorsSmith, KG
JournalThe Wilson Bulletin
Volume98
Pagination407 -418
Accession NumberKNZ00127
Keywordsbird, population
Abstract

All three species store and consume mast. Red-headed Woodpecker populations were most variable and Blue Jay populations were more variable than those of Black-capped Chickadees. Year-to- year comparisons show that Red-headed Woodpeckers are relatively nomadic in winter; that Blue Jays make movements between New England and the Mid-Atlantic coast with some regularity; and that Black-capped Chickadees may make relatively short population movements between central and southern New England. Movements of the 3 species were independent of mean January temperatures at the count areas examined. Results presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that increased dependence on mast as a winter food source is correlated with increased variability in winter population dynamics. In particular, the nearly periodic nature of the east-west shift of Red-headed Woodpecker high counts among years is strikingly similar to the periodic pattern of boreal seed-eating birds discovered by Bok asnd Lepthien (1976a)

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