Use of Exotic Saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) by Birds in Arid Riparian Systems

Hunter, William C.; Ohmart, Robert D.; Anderson, B. W.

doi:10.2307/1368440

Cited by 74 publications

(68 citation statements)

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“…More birds were found in riparian habitats with mid-and overstory woody vegetation than in adjacent uplands. Hunter et al (1988) and Thompson et al (1994) found that exotic woody vegetation, such as saltcedar and Russian olive, were used by some bird species. Birds associated with human activities and habitats (e.g., agricultural fields) were increasing, while birds associated with mid-story willows were declining (Thompson et al 1994).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Along the lower Rio and Pecos River, passerine species used saltcedar more than they did in the lower Colorado River system (Hunter et al 1988). This suggests that native avifauna can adapt to and benefit from introduced plant species in some areas.…”

Section: Effects Of Human Settlementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Invasion and proliferation of saltcedar within the Pecos River Valley provide woody structure where little to none existed previously (Hunter et al 1988). Several bird species have increased their distribution from Texas to the Pecos River Valley of New Mexico.…”

Section: Historical Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several bird species have increased their distribution from Texas to the Pecos River Valley of New Mexico. Bird species that used cottonwood-willow habitat for nesting habitat within the lower Rio Grande Valley have persisted, in lower numbers, by nesting in saltcedar habitat (Hunter et al 1988). Hoffman (1990) (table 1).…”

Section: Historical Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The brown-headed cowbird and its riparian-dependent hosts in New Mexico

Schweitzer¹,

Finch²,

Leslie³

1998

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Schweitzer, Sara H.; Finch, Deborah M.; Leslie, Jr., David M. 1998. The brown-headed cowbird and its riparian-dependent hosts in New Mexico. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-1. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 23 p.Numbers of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) are increasing in some regions of North America, while certain populations of long-distance, neotropical migratory songbirds (NTMs) are declining. In the Southwestern United States, several species of NTMs nest only in riparian habitats. The significant decline of two species of NTMs dependent upon riparian habitat, the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) and the least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), is of great concern. Brood parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird and loss of riparian habitat may be the primary causes of the decline of these populations. Extant data on the distribution, abundance, density, and rates of parasitism of the brown-headed cowbird in New Mexico have not been synthesized and interpreted. Our goal was to collect and review existing data on the brown-headed cowbird in New Mexico, compare them to data from adjacent western states, and interpret the findings. We hypothesized that increased human use of riparian habitats in New Mexico had resulted in increased abundance of brown-headed cowbirds and their parasitism on riparian-dependent NTMs. Our results suggest that quantitative studies should be conducted to determine the distribution, abundance, density, and rates of parasitism of brown-headed cowbirds in New Mexico's riparian habitats because existing data are inadequate. Results of such studies will allow conclusions to be made about the multiplicative effects of riparian habitat use and modification by human activities on cowbird and rare NTM populations. Cover photos (left-right): Brown-headed cowbirds, Middle Rio Grande (slide collection of Deborah Finch); blue grosbeak nest with 3 cowbird eggs (speckled) and 4 grosbeak eggs found at Rio Grande Nature Center, Albuquerque, NM (photo by Wang Yong); male blue grosbeak captured at mist-net station, Rio Grande Nature Center, NM (photo by Wang Yong).You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing information in label form through one of the following media. Please send the publication title and number.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Human Settlementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Historical Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Historical Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The brown-headed cowbird and its riparian-dependent hosts in New Mexico

Schweitzer¹,

Finch²,

Leslie³

1998

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“…Large scale research prolects in the Southwest have investigated avian use of riparian habitat on the lower Colorado River in California and Arizona (Anderson et al 1977a), lower Rio Grande in Texas , middle Rio Grande in New Mexico (Hink and Ohmart 19841, and Pecos River in New Mexico and Texas (Hunter et al 1988). Research by on the Rio Grande near Presidio, Texas, differed in most of the vegetative types studied and the fact that cottonwood/willow habitat types were uncommon in their study area.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together

Shaw¹,

Finch²

1996

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This proceedings represents scientific and applied papers presented at a symposium of the same title held 18-22 September 1995 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The symposium brought together scientists, natural resource managers, conservationists, and representatives from the private sector to share their findings, ideas, and visions for managing, conserving, and restoring riparian ecosystems in the Southwest. The Proceedings is divided into sections on the history, ecology, and management of the Rio Grande; general ecosystem hydrology and ecology; human history, values, and needs; ecosystem restoration and species recovery; and current and desired future conditions. Oral presentations given during panels on "Rio Grande restoration" and "People and riparian ecosystems" are also published in this volume. Patricia Pettit, President of the New Mexico Riparian Council, closed the symposium with an interactive session with the audience, which is summarized and published here. We thank sponsoring organizations for their support, and Karen Mora for her assistance in publishing the proceedings.Keywords: Riparian ecosystems; desired future conditions; human dimensions; hydrology; ecology; history; restoration; species recovery.Compilers' Note: In order to deliver symposium proceedings to users as quickly as possible, many manuscripts did not receive conventional editorial processing. Views expressed in each paper are those of the author and not necessarily those of the sponsoring organizations or the USDA Forest Service. Trade names are used for the information and convenience of the reader and do not imply endorsement or preferential treatment by the sponsoring organizations or the USDA Forest Service.Cover photo: Verde River near Perkinsville, Arizona

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Songbird Use of Native and Invasive Fruit in the Northeastern USA

Labbé

King²

2020

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Fruit is consumed by songbirds, yet whether or not it comprises an important component of habitat quality depends on the extent to which it is used by birds. In addition, there is evidence fruits of exotic invasive species may be nutritionally inferior to fruits of native species, so the influence of plant invasion on bird body condition is of interest to managers. Birds that consume invasive fruits may also serve as seed vectors, and consumption of fruits of invasive species may exacerbate invasion. Thus, the extent to which songbirds consume fruits of native versus invasive plant species, influence of plant invasion on bird body condition, and extent to which birds exhibit foraging behaviors that elevate their potential to act as dispersers of invasive species have important implications for habitat management. To understand bird use of native and invasive fruits and the potential role of birds in dispersing invasive plants, we observed bird foraging, measured body condition indices of birds captured in mist nets, measured available fruits of native and invasive plants, and calculated indices of seed dispersal for bird species based on fruit handling and consumption, within 16 shrubland sites in western Massachusetts, USA. Our findings indicate that birds use fruit extensively (57% of foraging events), use varied among species, and frugivorous species at our sites generally chose the fruit of native species, especially Prunus, over fruits of invasive species. Body condition indices were negatively related to the proportion of invasive fruit in most cases. In general, birds were better dispersers for native fruits than for invasive fruits. Our findings support the value of native fruit resources as a component of habitat quality, and, conversely, suggest that nonnative plant invasion may lead to reduced habitat quality for songbirds.

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Use of Exotic Saltcedar (Tamarix chinensis) by Birds in Arid Riparian Systems

Cited by 74 publications

References 8 publications

The brown-headed cowbird and its riparian-dependent hosts in New Mexico

The brown-headed cowbird and its riparian-dependent hosts in New Mexico

Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together

Songbird Use of Native and Invasive Fruit in the Northeastern USA

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