Behavioral and demographic consequences of access to early-successional habitat in juvenile Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla): An experimental approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Although numerous studies have demonstrated that mature-forest songbirds use successional habitat heavily during the postfledging period, implicit, but yet untested, is the assumption that successional habitat provides high-quality postfledging habitat and promotes juvenile survival. We experimentally tested how access to and use of successional habitat (i.e., regenerating clearcuts) influenced survival and behavior of independent juvenile Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla). Between 2004 and 2006, we captured and radiotagged 85 Ovenbirds in regenerating clearcuts in southeast Ohio. Radiotagged Ovenbirds were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups that were released in (1) the original clearcut of capture, (2) a different clearcut of similar age, or (3) a mature forest. Survival of independent juveniles at 52 days was similar among experimental treatments, at 83%. Juvenile survival tended to increase with understory vegetation density and individual energetic condition. Juveniles sele...