Bird Predation and Spruce Budworm Populations

Abstract

Abstract In northern New England, numbers of birds and amounts of budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) larvae and pupae eaten per bird increased as insect populations increased. Birds ate approximately 2, 23, and 87 percent of the epidemic, transitional, and endemic populations. Blackburnian and Nashville warblers, golden-crowned kinglets, white-throated sparrows, and black-capped chickadees were important predators in stands with endemic budworm populations. Bird communities most effective as budworm predators are found in mature managed forests containing a mix of species and size classes with scattered openings and patches of regeneration.