Blackpoll Warbler Research Articles

Female Site Fidelity and Polygyny in the Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica Striata)

Abstract From 1980 to 1982, 8-30% of male Blackpoll Warblers (Dendroica striata) studied on Kent Island, New Brunswick, were bigamous each year (x̄ = 16.8%). I tested whether differences in the quality of the breeding situation can give rise to polygynous matings. Five territory parameters and two male parameters were used as measures of quality. Male arrival times were correlated with male mating status and the reproductive success of monogamous females. Territories of bigamous males had more large conifers than did those of monogamous males. Territory parameters did not appear to influence female choices. Strong site attachment by females may lead them to mate bigamously when few males are available early in the season near the females' former nest sites. The reproductive success of secondary females was not different from that of monogamous females. Any costs of mating bigamously may be offset by increased reproductive success associated with early nest initiation and competitive advantages conferred by site dominance. Site attachment and return patterns can account for the incidence of polygyny in this population, but probably could not give rise to high levels of polygyny or large harems. More information is needed to evaluate the influence of site fidelity on mating decisions of females in other polygynous passerine species.

Identification and Occurrence of Blackpoll Warblers in Southern Middle America

Journal Article Identification and Occurrence of Blackpoll Warblers in Southern Middle America Get access F. Gary Stiles, F. Gary Stiles Escuela de Biologla, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria “Rodrigo Facie,” Costa Rica Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Rafael G. Campos Rafael G. Campos Escuela de Biologla, Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria “Rodrigo Facie,” Costa Rica Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 85, Issue 2, 1 May 1983, Pages 254–255, https://doi.org/10.2307/1367267 Published: 01 May 1983 Article history Received: 06 March 1982 Accepted: 08 November 1982 Published: 01 May 1983

Niche and Habitat Relations in Subalpine Bird Communities of the White Mountains of New Hampshire

The populations, foraging behavior, and habitat selection of 20 insectivorous species of subalpine birds were studied during three breeding seasons in the white Mountains, New Hampshire, USA. The object was to clarify how an elevation gradient of environmental adversity affected diversity, dominance, niche, habitat, and species biology. Population densities and territory sizes were measured from census plots. Territory sizes correlated with species body mass, probably in response to size—related food requirements. Lower elevations had more even distributions of densities among species and less steep dominance—diversity curves than did higher elevations. To show habitat selection patterns in the subalpine vegetation, principal components analysis (PCA) was used to develop a model that emphasized elevation and broadleaf—to—coniferous foliage as the two major gradients. Bird species diversity (BSD) reached a maximum in well—developed preclimax red spruce—balsam fir forests with some broadleaf crowns present. Individual species responses were mapped using the model as a base chart, grouping together: (1) five species living at altitudes above 1100 m with small differences in their specific patterns, (2) five other species widely distributed through the mid—subalpine zone (800—1100 m), (3) six more mid—subalpine species segregating along the broadleaf/conifer foliage gradient, and (4) three species found near water. Niche relations were studied using detrended correspondence analysis, a modified version of reciprocal averaging. Resource use was divided by (1) terrestrial vs. arboreal position, (2) a gradient from fine distal (leaves) to coarse proximal (trunk) substrates, and (3) different specializations for food acquisition. BSD was greater in the resource categories requiring less energy and less specialized morphological adaptations to exploit, or having greater insect resource bases. To investigate the relations between habitat and niche, a matrix of the correlations between the niche and habitat variables, using species means for data, was analyzed by PCA. Three relations emerged: (1) the elevation/forest structure gradient was correlated with the terrestrial/arboreal foraging segregation, (2) the niche substrate gradient responded to vegetation structure along the broad—leaf/conifer gradient, and (3) in both cases the response of foraging behavior to habitat structure involved many variables acting together. Niche and habitat were thus closely linked as aspects of species ecotopes; species responses were illustrated for the Blackpoll Warbler and other wood warblers. Food was inferred to limit populations occasionally, so that interspecific competition plausibly underlies niche differentiation. Thermoregulation is hypothesized to affect habitat selection.

A Seven-Egg Clutch for the Cooper's Hawk

minor feather wear. It was photographed, measured (weight, 10.6 g; flattened wing chord, 80 mm; tarsus, 17.1 mm; culmen length, nares to tip, 8.2 mm) and released with British Museum band BJ80002 on the right leg and a red celluloid band on the left leg. These data and five color slides have been deposited in the American Museum of Natural History, New York. The Blackpoll Warbler is well known for its long migration and tendency to wander (L. Griscom and A. Sprunt, The warblers of North America, DevonAdair, New York, 1957). The individual we caught was presumably lost, perhaps during spring migration.

First Record of a Blackpoll Warbler for the Galapagos

First Record of a Blackpoll Warbler for the Galapagos

Autumnal Bird Migration Observed from Ships in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

The western north Atlantic Ocean constitutes a major route for autumnal migrants moving between eastern North America and the Caribbean or South America. Some shorebirds have long been known to use this route (Lincoln, 1939; Hagar, 1966; Palmer, 1968; McNeil and Burton, 1973), and recently Drury and Nisbet (1964) and Nisbet (1970) have stated that the Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) probably flies over the western Atlantic between New England and South America, although this route was disputed by Murray (1965). Atlantic migrants have been studied with radar installations on the North American coast

The Orientation of Passerine Nocturnal Migrants Following Offshore Drift

Abstract Nocturnal autumn passerine migrants are frequently drifted by wind or carried by downwind flight from New England to offshore islands. Most individuals in these flights are immatures. Many recover the mainland via reoriented northward flights. During fall 1972, I made field observations and performed orientation cage tests on nocturnal migrants on Block Island, Rhode Island. Migrants reached the island during four southward movements in following winds. Migration was very light or absent on most other nights. Reoriented diurnal flights left from the island immediately after the arrival of a large nocturnal migration. Northward movements occurred on two nights following daytime reoriented flights. These nocturnal movements are tentatively interpreted as constituting reoriented flights. About 27% of the 79 individuals tested in orientation cages showed significantly directional nocturnal activity. About two-thirds of these oriented basically northwestward, corresponding to the reoriented flight of free-flying birds. These and similar reorientations of immature birds can be explained by a simple compass reorientation in response to wind drift over the ocean without invoking complicated navigation mechanisms. The remaining individuals oriented toward the southeast. Eleven birds exhibited a significant eastward orientation during the first few hours after dawn; this is interpreted as a positive phototaxis. Three of four Blackpoll Warblers oriented southward. No correlation existed between the quantity of Zugunruhe and the amount of subcutaneous fat, but fatter birds were significantly more likely to show oriented nocturnal activity.

Blackpoll Warbler on Cornwallis Island, Northwest Territories

Blackpoll Warbler on Cornwallis Island, Northwest Territories

Autumn Migration of the Blackpoll Warbler: Evidence for Long Flight Provided by Regional Survey

Autumn Migration of the Blackpoll Warbler: Evidence for Long Flight Provided by Regional Survey

Arrested Molt in a Blackpoll Warbler

Arrested Molt in a Blackpoll Warbler

Twig in Abdomen of a Blackpoll Warbler

Twig in Abdomen of a Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler Banded in Bermuda Recovered in North Carolina

Blackpoll Warbler Banded in Bermuda Recovered in North Carolina

Extralimital Records for the Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, and Blackpoll Warbler

Extralimital Records for the Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, and Blackpoll Warbler

The Black-Poll Warbler and Bicknell's Thrush at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

The Black-Poll Warbler and Bicknell's Thrush at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Blackpoll Warbler Lingering in Mass.

Blackpoll Warbler Lingering in Mass.

Late Occurrence of the Black-Poll Warbler (Dendroica striata) in the District of Columbia

Late Occurrence of the Black-Poll Warbler (Dendroica striata) in the District of Columbia