Breeding Birds of Riparian Woodland in South-Central Arizona

Abstract

Riparian woodland habitats in the Southwest are extremely important breeding places, wintering areas, and corridors for migration of birds. These habitats are the least extensive in the region but they have the highest densities and diversities of avian species (Bottorff 1974, Carothers and Johnson 1975). Diversity of bird species has been correlated with diversity of foliage height in riparian habitats of the southwestern United States such as desert riparian, mesquite shrub, sycamore-cottonwood, and mixed deciduous habitats (Austin 1970, Cody 1974, MacArthur 1964, Carothers et al. 1974). In contrast, Carothers et al. (1974) found bird species diversity in homogeneous cottonwood plots on the upper Verde River in north-central Arizona not to be correlated with foliage height diversity. My objectives were to determine the density and distribution of breeding birds in two riparian woodland habitats (mesquite and cottonwood) on the lower Verde River and to examine the relationship between the vegetative structure of the habitats and the avian populations.