Red-naped Sapsucker nest tree selection and effects on the willow breeding bird community
Abstract
The Red-naped sapsucker creates a nest cavity in aspen woodlands each year, required by other bird spp. for nesting, and spends much of its foraging time in willow wetlands. This study attempted to determine a) how does proximity of potential nest trees to forest edge and willows affect the sapsucker’s choice of nest tree b) is there an edge effect on insect abundance and c) what are the effects of sapsucker presence on the willow breeding bird community? Sapsucker nest trees are significantly closer to the edge of the forest than unoccupied trees, but not closer to willows. Insect abundance increases towards the forest edge; this could help explain the preference for sapsucker edge- nesting. An increased density of sapsucker-drilled sap wells in the willows acts to increase willow breeding bird diversity.
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