DOCSLIB.ORG

Comparative Analysis of the Vocalization of Hylorchilus Wrens

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Comparative Analysis of the Vocalization of Hylorchilus Wrens SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 981 The Condor 99:9X1-984 0 The CooperOrnithological Society 1997 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE VOCALIZATIONS OF HYLORCHZLUS WRENS’ HECTOR G~MEZ DE SILVA G. Institute de Ecologia, UNAM, Apartado Postal 70-275, Ciudad Universitaria, UNAM C.P. 04510, Mexico, D.F., Mexico, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract. Analysis of variation in the main song km (Hardy and Delaney 1987, Atkinson et al. 1993). and in other charactersof Hylorchilus wrens, together Recordingsare now available from intermediatelocal- with biogeographic considerations,support the recent ities spanningthe entire range of the genus(Fig. 2 and suggestionthat the genusconsists of two species,Sum- 3) and these recordingsenable a comparativeanalysis ichrast’s Wren (H. sumichrasti) and Nava’s Wren (H. of the evolution of vocalizations in the genus. This navai). The evidence also challengesthe proposalthat new information supportstreatment of the two forms the Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is this genus’ of Hylorchilus as separatespecies. It also suggeststhat closestrelative. The song characteristicsshared by the the Canyon Wren-like song of some populationsof one two separate species of Hylorchilus suggest that the of the species has arisen convergently, and therefore song of their common ancestor included abrupt does not support a sister-grouprelationship between changes in pitch, pauses between syllables, and fre- this genus and Catherpes. quent use of syllables lasting more than 0.35 sec. The genusHylorchilus is apparentlyrestricted to hu- These are exactly the opposite of what would be ex- mid tropical forest growing over limestone boulders pected if the Canyon Wren were their closest relative (“karstic terrain”) between 75 and 1,000 m above sea (sister-group). It is suggestedthat the Canyon Wren- level (Collar et al. 1992). Its range follows a basically like characteristicsof the song of one of the species east-west strip of “tropical karst forest” in the humid are due to convergence. Thus the closest relative of lowlands of southeasternMexico. However, this strip Hylorchilus wrens remains to be found. is broken by a 100 km gap between the karst area of central Veracruz-Oaxaca (regions l-2 in Fig. 1) and Key words: Troglodytidae, Hylorchilus, Mexico, that of southernVeracruz-Chiapas (regions 3-4). vocalizations, ancestor reconstruction. METHODS For 100 years after its description in 1871, Sumi- chrast’s Wren (Hylorchilus sumichrasti) was known Recordings and observationsof lo-30 males of Hy- only from a small area of central Mexico. In 1969- lorchilus wrens were obtained opportunisticallyfrom 1971, a disjunct population discovered in western each of the four regions of tropical karst forest (Fig. Chiapas and extreme southeasternVeracruz, far to the 1) between 1991 and 1996. Recordings were made at east of previously known localities, was described as different times of day, although the majority were be- a new subspecies(H. s. navai) based mainly on dif- tween 08:OOand 12:O0.Earlier recordings were made ferences in plumage coloration and size (Crossin and with Sony TCM-81, Realistic CTR-67, and Panasonic Ely 1973). However, the describeddifferences in mea- mini cassette-recorders.Recordings in 1996 were surements between the eastern and western forms made with a Marantz PMD221 cassette-recorderwith (Crossin and Ely 1973, Phillips 1986) were based on ProCo matching transformer and Sennheiser ME881 a small sample size and indicate large overlap in mea- K3U shotgun microphone (equipment lent by the Li- surements. brary of Natural Sounds,Cornell Laboratory of Orni- Previous studies of the vocalizations of this genus thology, Ithaca, New York). Sonograms reproduced have led to two interesting proposals. First, it was here were chosen to represent the largest possible claimed that Hylorchilus is the sister-groupof the Can- range of variation and were made by Dom Cox (Fig. yon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) based upon the re- 2) and Kathy Dunsmore (Fig. 3) of the Library of Nat- semblancesbetween their songs,calls, and motor pat- ural Sounds using Canary 1.2.1 software. Other son- terns (Hardy and Delaney 1987). Then, with the dis- ograms studied were mahe by Santiago Jesus Perez covery of the widely different song and call of Hylor- Rufz of the Centro de Instrumentosof the Universidad chilus wrens from Chiapas, it was proposed to raise National Autonoma de Mexico. Sonograms are at- the easternform to the rank of species(Atkinson et al. ranged geographicallyfrom west to east (an exception 1993). This proposal has important consequencesfor is Fig. 3A, which is from east of the sourceof Fig. 3B conservation,because the two separatespecies would and 3D). have very small ranges (Collar et al. 1992). RESULTS Vocalizations available for previous studiesconsist- ed of a few recordings from the opposite ends of the The calls of Hylorchilus wrens in regions 1 and 2 are range of the genus, separatedby a gap of nearly 400 identical to one anotherbut differ markedly from calls of birds in regions 3 and 4 (Fig. 2). In regions 1 and 2, both a hoarse “chuck” or a squealing“wheeo” may ’ Received 22 August 1996. Accepted 28 July 1997. be made by the same individual, whereas the call of 982 SHORT COMMUNICATIONS birds from regions 3 and 4 is a very different metallic A “tit&.” The time between successive calls also is clearly different between regions l-2 and 3-4 (Fig. 2) as is plumage coloration and pattern (e.g., see Howell and Webb 1995, Plate 49). These observationssuggest a divergence which parallels the range gap between 1% areas 2 and 3 and reinforces the suggestionthat two allopatric speciesare involved. I1‘ I I I I I There is much between- and intra-individual varia- tion in the number of syllables per song. For example, Howell and Webb (1995) mentioned long and short songs from regions 1 and 2. However, such variation seems to fall within well-defined limits. Particularly, the duration of syllables, frequency range and pattern of the songs are similar within each region. Thus all variants shown here are presumablyhomologous in the broad sense of the word. Songs are made often and I‘ I I I I I throughoutthe day. The longer songs most prevalent in region 1, but also occurring in the east of region 2, comprise a very short rising series of syllables followed by a longer descendingseries (see sonogramsin Hardy and Dela- ney 1987 and Atkinson et al. 1993). The pitch goes from 2,300 to 4,000 Hz or more in the rising portion, and then descendsto 900-1.500 Hz. The descending portion is essentially composed of five or (usually) more repeated syllables, usually given with no pause between them. In the descendingportion, syllables are 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 Time(sec) FIGURE 2. Calls of Hylorchilus from different regions. Note the different structure and inter-call length between H. sumichrasti (A-B) and H. navai (C- D). H. sumichrusti: “wheeo” calls from (A) region 1, recorded 1.5 km southof Amatlan, Veracruz (18”50’N, 96”55’W), and (B) region 2, recorded at Cerro de Oro, Oaxaca (18”01’N, 96”Ol’W). H. navai: metallic “tink” calls from (C) region 3, taped by Steve N. G. Howell near the bridge over Rio Chalchijapan, Veracruz (17”13’N, 94”45’W), and (D) region 4, taped by Adam Kent near the mouth of Rio La Venta in the Reserva Especial de la Biosfera Selva El Ocote, Chiapas (17”02’N, 93”48’W). either V-shaped or have a marked down-slurred por- tion and last less than 0.35 sec. This is the song that was likened to that of a Canyon Wren by Hardy and Delaney (1987). The song in region 3 closely resemblesthe song in region 4 (Fig. 3D-3F and sonogramsin Atkinson et al. 1993). In both cases, songs are composed of syl- lables of long duration as compared with the long songsof regions 1 and 2, frequently lasting more than 0.3 set; adjacent syllables usually alternate in pitch FIGURE 1. Distribution of Hylorchilus wrens (mod- (i.e., syllables do not form rising or descendingseries) ified from Gomez de Silva, unpubl. data). Numerals and lie mostly within the 1,000 to 3,000 Hz frequency indicate the four regions referred to in this article. band, seldom reaching 4,000 Hz, whereas the long SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 983 oo oo Time(8s~) Time(a@ FIGURE 3. Songs of Hylorchilus from regions 2, 3 and 4. Hylorchilus sumichrasti: (A) region 2: 2 km south of Bethania, Oaxaca (17”56’N, 96”Ol’W); (B) and (C) possibly a single individual, region 2: Cerro de Oro, Oaxaca (18”01’N, 96”Ol’W). Hylorchilus navai: (D) and (E) different individuals, region 3: Poblado Nueve, Veracruz (17”20’N, 94”27’W). (F) Region 4: at or near type locality (16”56’N, 93”48’W). songs of regions 1 and 2 have many portions above icantly limited biological interchangebetween the two 3,000 Hz and even some that rise above 4,000 Hz. sides, although it is unknown how long ago this gap Additionally, in regions 3 and 4 there usually are paus- originated (Wendt 1992). These observationssupport es and/or abrupt changes in pitch between syllables. the conclusion of Atkinson et al. (1993) and Howell This observationalso agreeswell with a hypothesisof and Webb (1995) that the two forms should be treated divergence causedby the existence of a gap between as separatespecies, H. sumichrasti and H. navai. areas 2 and 3 and with the suggestionthat two allo- There are certain similaritiesbetween short songsof patric species are involved. The vocal differences are H. sumichrasti and the songs of H. navai (syllables far greater than between other closely related species often lasting more than 0.3 set, pauses and abrupt of wren, suchas between the wood-wrens Henicorhina changesin pitch between syllables).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Landbird Monitoring in the Sonoran Desert Network 2012 Annual Report
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Landbird Monitoring in the Sonoran Desert Network 2012 Annual Report Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SODN/NRTR—2013/744 ON THE COVER Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus). Photo by Moez Ali. Landbird Monitoring in the Sonoran Desert Network 2012 Annual Report Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SODN/NRTR—2013/744 Authors Moez Ali Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 230 Cherry Street, Suite 150 Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Kristen Beaupré National Park Service Sonoran Desert Network 7660 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 303 Tucson, Arizona 85710 Patricia Valentine-Darby University of West Florida Department of Biology 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, Florida 32514 Chris White Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory 230 Cherry Street, Suite 150 Fort Collins, Colorado 80521 Project Contact Robert E. Bennetts National Park Service Southern Plains Network Capulin Volcano National Monument PO Box 40 Des Moines, New Mexico 88418 May 2013 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colora- do, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource manage- ment, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Technical Report Series is used to disseminate results of scientific studies in the physical, biological, and social sciences for both the advancement of science and the achievement of the National Park Service mission.
    [Show full text]
  • House Wren Nest-Destroying Behavior’
    The Condor 88:190-193 0 The Cooper Ornithological Society 1986 HOUSE WREN NEST-DESTROYING BEHAVIOR’ JEAN-CLAUDE BELLES-ISLES AND JAROSLAV PICMAN Department of Biology, Universityof Ottawa, Ottawa KIN 6N5, Canada Abstract. House Wren (Troglodytesaedon) nest-destroying behavior was studied by experi- mentally offering 38 wrens nestswith eggs(or nestlings)throughout the nesting season.Individuals of both sexespecked all six types of eggspresented, regardless of the nest type and location. House Wrens also attacked conspecificyoung. Older nestlings(nine days old) were less vulnerable than three-day-old young. Our resultssuggest that nest-destroyingbehavior is inherent in all adult House Wrens but is inhibited in mated males and breeding females. It is suggestedthat nest destruction may have evolved as an interference mechanism reducing intra- and interspecific competition. Key words: House Wren; Troglodytes aedon; infanticide;nest destruction; competition. INTRODUCTION specificnestlings? (3) Is this behavior exhibited Destruction of eggs by small passerinesis a throughout the breeding season?(4) Do indi- relatively rare phenomenon which has been vidual House Wrens destroy neststhroughout observed mainly in members of two families, their breeding cycle? (5) How widespread is the Troglodytidae and Mimidae. Species this behavior among individuals from a pop- known to destroy eggsinclude the Marsh Wren ulation? (6) Is this behavior a local phenom- (Cistothoruspalustris; Allen 19 14); House enon or is it characteristic of all House Wren Wren (Troglodytesaedon; Sherman 1925, populations?(7) What is the adaptive value of Kendeigh 194 1); Cactus Wren (Campylorhyn- this behavior? thusbrunneicapillus; Anderson and Anderson METHODS 1973); SedgeWren (Cistothorusplatensis; Pic- man and Picman 1980); Bewick’s Wren This study was conducted at Presqu’ile Pro- (Thryomanesbewickii; J.
    [Show full text]
  • Highland Lakes Steward
    Highland Lakes Steward HIGHLAND LAKES CHAPTER August 2011 Volume 2, Issue 8 MISSION CORK TREES by Billy Hutson The Texas Master Naturalist program is Undoubtedly you are think- a natural resource- ing of other more important based volunteer train- things when you uncork a bot- ing and development tle of wine but have you ever program sponsored statewide by Texas wondered where corks come AgriLife Extension from? Well they come from the and the Texas Parks cork tree "Quercus Suber" and Wildlife Depart- which means slow growing. The ment. The mission of the cork trees I am talking about program is to develop grow in SW Europe and NW a corps of well- Africa but in the Spain and Por- informed volunteers tugal area they are carefully who provide educa- cared for by the cork producing tion, outreach, and service dedicated to industry. I remember seeing the beneficial manage- one in the postage stamp back- ment of natural re- yard of a friends home in south- sources and natural ern California where it took up areas within their communities for the the entire space, so they evidently like that are 25 years old and they are very carefully state of Texas climate also. Maybe we could grow them in monitored. In fact they cannot be legally cut Texas!! There are other cork trees that down in Portugal and the industry in OFFICERS grow in China and Australia but the wine Europe employs some 30,000 people. President cork industry is basically located in Spain Since the process is only 40% efficient Billy Hutson and Portugal.
    [Show full text]
  • Bird Communities of Gambel Oak: a Descriptive Analysis
    United States Department of Agriculture Bird Communities Forest Service Rocky Mountain of Gambel Oak: A Research Station General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-48 Descriptive Analysis March 2000 Andreas Leidolf Michael L. Wolfe Rosemary L. Pendleton Abstract Leidolf, Andreas; Wolfe, Michael L.; Pendleton, Rosemary L. 2000. Bird communities of gambel oak: a descriptive analysis. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-48. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 30 p. Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.) covers 3.75 million hectares (9.3 million acres) of the western United States. This report synthesizes current knowledge on the composition, structure, and habitat relationships of gambel oak avian communities. It lists life history attributes of 183 bird species documented from gambel oak habitats of the western United States. Structural habitat attributes important to bird-habitat relationships are identified, based on 12 independent studies. This report also highlights species of special concern, provides recommendations for monitoring, and gives suggestions for management and future research. Keywords: Avian ecology, bird-habitat relationships, neotropical migrant, oakbrush, oak woodlands, scrub oak, Quercus gambelii, Western United States The Authors ______________________________________ Andreas Leidolf is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Utah State University (USU). He received a B.S. degree in Forestry/Wildlife Management from Mississippi State University in 1995. He is currently completing his M.S. degree in Fisheries and Wildlife ecology at USU. Michael L. Wolfe is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at USU. He received a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management at Cornell University in 1963 and his doctorate in Forestry/Wildlife Management at the University of Göttingen, Germany, in 1967.
    [Show full text]
  • Colorado Field Ornithologists
    N0.7 WINTER 1970 the Colorado Field Ornithologist SPECIAL ISSUE JOINT MEETING COLORADO FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS 8th Annual Meeting COOPER ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 41 st 'Annual Meeting WILSON ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY 51 st Annual Meeting FORT COLLINS, COLORADO June 18 - 21, 1970 WINTER, 1970 No, 7 IN THIS ISSUE: Page ORNITHOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY IN COLORADO George R. Shier • 1 SUMMER BIRD-FINDING IN COLORADO Donald M. Thatcher 5 BIRD CLUBS IN COLORADO David W, Lupton • 11 THE FOUNDERS OF COLORADO ORNITHOLOGY Thomps.on G. Marsh • 16 COLORADO TYPE BIRD LOCALITIES Harold R. Holt 18 SURVEY OF COLLECTIONS OF BIRDS IN COLORADO Donald W. Janes •.•.• 23 RESEARCH THROUGH BIRD BANDING IN COLORADO Allegra Collister • • • • • 26 The Colorado Field Ornithologist is a semiannual journal devoted to the field study of birds in Colorado. Articl~s and notes of scientific or general interest, and reports of unusual observations are solicited, Send manu­ scripts, with photos and drawings, to D. W. Lupton, Editor, Serials Section, Colorado State University Libraries, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Membership and subscription fees: Full member $3.00; Library subscription fees $1.50. Submit payments to Robbie Elliott, Executive Secretary , The Colorado Field Ornithologist, 220-3lst Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303. Request for exchange or for back numbers should be addressed to the Editor. All exchange publications should likewise be sent to the Editor's address. I WINTER, 1970 No. 7 ORNITHOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY IN COLORADO George R. Shier Golden, Colorado Colorado is divided into many climatic and geographic provinces. In this brief article only a few representative locations can be mentioned. The northeast holds the rich irrigated South Platte Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • Survey Protocol and Habitat Evaluation for Leconte's
    Survey Protocol and Habitat Evaluation for LeConte’s (Toxostoma lecontei) and Bendire’s (Toxostoma bendirei) Thrasher Prepared by: The Desert Thrasher Working Group Survey Protocol and Habitat Evaluation Contents Objective 3 Field Gear and Materials Checklist: 4 Conducting the Survey 6 Thrasher Survey Form 8 Target Species Sighting Form 10 Habitat Evaluation Form 12 Data entry 16 Analysis of Area Search Data: Site-Level Models 17 Appendix 1. Species Descriptions 19 LeConte’s Thrasher 19 Bendire’s Thrasher 20 Appendix 2. Training Materials 22 Appendix 3. Bird and Plant Abbreviations and Codes 25 Appendix 4. Sample Survey Form 33 Appendix 5. Sample Sighting Form 34 Appendix 6. Group Code Examples 35 Appendix 7. Sample Habitat Evaluation Form 37 Appendix 8. Invasive Plant Identification Resources. 38 Recommended Citation: DTWG, the Desert Thrasher Working Group. 2018. Survey Protocol and Habitat Evaluation for LeConte’s and Bendire’sThrashers. The Protocol Subteam with the Desert Thrasher Working Group included: Dawn M. Fletcher, Lauren B. Harter, Christina L. Kondrat-Smith, Christofolos L. McCreedy and Collin A. Woolley. Cover photo art by: Christina Kondrat-Smith 2 Survey Protocol and Habitat Evaluation Objective The objectives of these surveys are to estimate distribution, determine population trends over time, and to identify habitat preferences for Bendire’s and LeConte’s Thrashers. Recommended Survey Times: Consider local elevation and latitude when designing a survey schedule, as researchers will need to balance surveying early (which helps to minimize confusion of adults with juveniles, and which may maximize exposure to peak singing season) with surveying late (which can minimize the possibility of completely missing late-arriving, migratory Bendire’s Thrashers).
    [Show full text]
  • Learn About Texas Birds Activity Book
    Learn about . A Learning and Activity Book Color your own guide to the birds that wing their way across the plains, hills, forests, deserts and mountains of Texas. Text Mark W. Lockwood Conservation Biologist, Natural Resource Program Editorial Direction Georg Zappler Art Director Elena T. Ivy Educational Consultants Juliann Pool Beverly Morrell © 1997 Texas Parks and Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744 PWD BK P4000-038 10/97 All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the publisher. Another "Learn about Texas" publication from TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE PRESS ISBN- 1-885696-17-5 Key to the Cover 4 8 1 2 5 9 3 6 7 14 16 10 13 20 19 15 11 12 17 18 19 21 24 23 20 22 26 28 31 25 29 27 30 ©TPWPress 1997 1 Great Kiskadee 16 Blue Jay 2 Carolina Wren 17 Pyrrhuloxia 3 Carolina Chickadee 18 Pyrrhuloxia 4 Altamira Oriole 19 Northern Cardinal 5 Black-capped Vireo 20 Ovenbird 6 Black-capped Vireo 21 Brown Thrasher 7Tufted Titmouse 22 Belted Kingfisher 8 Painted Bunting 23 Belted Kingfisher 9 Indigo Bunting 24 Scissor-tailed Flycatcher 10 Green Jay 25 Wood Thrush 11 Green Kingfisher 26 Ruddy Turnstone 12 Green Kingfisher 27 Long-billed Thrasher 13 Vermillion Flycatcher 28 Killdeer 14 Vermillion Flycatcher 29 Olive Sparrow 15 Blue Jay 30 Olive Sparrow 31 Great Horned Owl =female =male Texas Birds More kinds of birds have been found in Texas than any other state in the United States: just over 600 species.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Research Examining the Habitat Use, Social Behavior and Communication Signals of Canyon and Rock Wrens in Larimer County, CO
    Proposed research examining the habitat use, social behavior and communication signals of canyon and rock wrens in Larimer County, CO. Dr. Lauryn Benedict Assistant professor School of Biological Sciences University of Northern Colorado 2480 Ross Hall, Campus Box 92 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80639 (970) 351-3364 [email protected] Stephanie Pitt Graduate Student School of Biological Sciences University of Northern Colorado 2480 Ross Hall, Campus Box 92 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80639 [email protected] Project Description: This project seeks to describe the nesting behavior, ecology and vocalizations of canyon wrens (Catherpes mexicanus) and rock wrens (Salpinctes obsoletus). This research will improve knowledge of Colorado Natural History, utilize public resources and contribute to scientific understanding of the evolution of animal communication signals. Canyon wrens and rock wrens are closely related species that require rocky cliff habitats, but little is known regarding the interactions and habitat use of these species (Jones and Dieni 1995, Jones 1998, Lowther et al. 2000). In areas of Northern Colorado they occur in sympatry and may often share territory boundaries. Territorial occupation may be determined by a number of factors, including specific habitat preferences and fighting ability relative to conspecifics and heterospecifics. Our project will examine the roles of abiotic and biotic factors in determining the spatial distributions of members of the two focal species. The first portion of the project will examine territory size and characteristics, the second will examine interactions between individuals. Goal 1: Describe habitat use and quantify characteristics of breeding sites for canyon and rock wrens. In some areas of Colorado both rock wrens and canyon wrens occur in sympatry, breeding in close association within the same habitat types.
    [Show full text]
  • Rock Wren Nest Attributes – Nat Warning- University of Northern Colorado
    Lois Webster Fund- Grant Report – Nat Warning Rock Wren Nest Attributes – Nat Warning- University of Northern Colorado 1 | P a g e Lois Webster Fund- Grant Report – Nat Warning ROCK WREN NEST ATTRIBUTES INTRODUCTION The rock wren inhabits open, arid, rocky slopes, and barren rock outcrops, often residing in habitats occupied by few other bird species (Brewer 2001). In western North America rock wrens are found from the western edge of the Great Plains to the Pacific Slope, south through Mexico, and north into southern Canada (Ray 1904; Bent 1964; Lowther et al. 2000). Rock wrens breed from below sea level in Death Valley (Wauer 1964) to above timberline (3500m) (Grinnel and Miller 1944; Wolf et al. 1985; Oppenheimer and Morton 2000), as long as there is sufficient rock-strewn habitat. In 1902 Florence Bailey, an ornithological pioneer, wrote one of the earliest descriptions of the rock wren; “To the worker in the arid regions of the west...on the wind-blown rock stretches where you seem in a bleak world of granite with only rock, rock, everywhere, suddenly, there on a stone before you, stands this jolly little wren, looking up at you with a bob and a shy, friendly glance.” Though familiar and well-noted, rock wrens are little studied in most portions of their range, and many of their behaviors remain enigmatic. Rock wrens are basal members of the wren family (Troglodytidae), which includes over 80 species of relatively small, vocal passerines in 17 genera (Mann et al. 2006). Rock wrens are most closely related to Microcerculus (nightingale), Catherpes (canyon), and Hylorchilus (slender-billed) wrens, but also group separately as a sister taxon ancestral to all other wrens based on DNA comparisons (Lowther et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Riparian Research and Management: Past, Present, Future
    Chapter 11. Terrestrial Vertebrates of Mesquite Bosques in Southwestern North America R. Roy Johnson, Elaine E. Johnson, and Steven W. Carothers Introduction The major emphasis of this chapter is to address the species richness and popula- tion densities of land vertebrates in riparian mesquite bosques (woodlands). We find no single publication that lists vertebrates—amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals—of riparian mesquites of the Southwest lowlands. These vertebrates are listed for a few river valleys, such as the Santa Cruz River (Webb et al. 2014) and San Pedro River (Stromberg and Tellman 2009), but not for the Southwest as a whole. This chapter pres- ents a summary of the vertebrate fauna of mesquite bosques. Our lists of vertebrates of bosques and/or associated cottonwood-willow forests and riparian deciduous woodlands have been constructed from literature, historic records and specimens, and our first-hand knowledge. Mesquite Bottomlands as Wildlife Habitat A large number of the vertebrate species occurring as obligate and facultative riparian species in cottonwood-willow gallery forests also occur in mesquite bosques. These species inhabit riparian mesquites not only along streams but also along dry watercourses (tables 12–15). An amphibian or reptile species may often occur in cotton- wood-willow or mixed deciduous forests, in mesquite bosques, or in upland ecosystems. A mammal species—except larger mammals and bats—may also often occur in one of these three watershed zones. Although an avian species may use one of those three zones, several species occur in all three zones. Some birds, especially larger species, roost and nest at distances from riparian ecosystems but spend parts of the day flying over and/or foraging in bosques and adjacent zones.
    [Show full text]
  • Atlas Handbook
    ATLAS HANDBOOK April 2009 SOUTH DAKOTA BREEDING BIRD ATLAS 2 www.rmbo.org/SDBBA2 The SD Breeding Bird Atlas Team The second South Dakota Breeding Bird Atlas (SDBBA2) is a team effort, both organizationally and financially. This project is funded by federal funding through State Wildlife Grant T-41, Study #2541, administered through the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks is providing match funds. Atlas Supporters: • SD Dept. of Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) • SD State Wildlife Grant Program • South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union • Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Coordination and organization: • Eileen Dowd-Stukel, SDGFP, Wildlife Diversity Program • Nancy Drilling, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) Technical Committee: • Doug Backlund, SDGFP, Wildlife Diversity Program • Kristel Bakker, Dakota State University • Silka Kempema, SDGFP, Wildlife Diversity Program • Jeff Palmer, Dakota State University • Richard Peterson, coordinator of SDBBA 1, Wewela • Dave Swanson, University of South Dakota GIS, database, and web site development: • Rob Sparks, RMBO • Chandman Sambuu, RMBO SDBBA2 Logo design: Michael Retter We also thank the following people for their contributions to the planning and execution of SDBBA2: Dave Ode, Jennifer Blakesley, David Pavlacky, Chuck Hundertmark, Rosemary Draeger, Anna Ball, Jacquie Gerard, Doug Chapman, Tim Hajda, Kelly Preheim, Jim Taulman, Jennifer Fowler, Connie Vicuna, and Kyle Rodenberg. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Avifauna in Southern California Chaparral: Seasonal Distribution, Habitat Association, Reproductive Phenology
    Un~tedStates 3 Department of AgrlCUitUre Avifauna in Southern California oreservlce Chaparral: Seasonal Distribution, Pacific Southwest Researchstation Habitat Association, Reproductive Research Paper PSW-RP-209 Phenology William 0.Wirtz II Wirtz, Willia~n0.. 11. 1991. Avifaunn in soulhcrn California chaparral: scasanal distribution, habitat associa- tion, rcpraductivc phcnology. Rcs. Papcr PSW-RP-209. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Soulhwesl Research Station, Favcst Service. U.S. Department of Agriculture; 19 p. Dals were obtained between February 1969 and Octobel. 1979 an thc se;sonal occurrence, lvilbitilt asso~latio~l. ieproductivephcnalogy, and rclativc nbu~tdanccofnvifauna at two study sitcs in thcchaparral comnn~lnilyofthe San Gabricl Mountains of southern California. The purpose ofthe study was to collect infa~.mationon bid specics uscof this habitat and to documcnr ch.anges in the bird community over a 30.year period. During the stody, 128 species rcprcsenting 36 families were noted: 99 in lower clcvalion (914 to 1280 m) chaparral and I I0 at a higher clcvalion (1400m)chapurml-ycllowpincccolo~~esite.Eighty-wospccieswereabscrvcdatbotl~sites.Residenacolnprised35.4 pcrcc~ltofthepopulationatll~elowel-elcvatiansitea~~d25.4percentatthehighersite. Vagl.antscornprised 18.2percenl of the popt~larian1 the lower site aud 23.6 peltent at the higher site. Insects are consumed by 66.7 percent of all avifitiluna observcd in the chonarml. and seeds bv 32.6 oercent. Fou~.teensoecies reoorted earlier (1936-1913) at the ~~CSC~ISa stllnmncy of I I years ordata on nbundance at hoth IocuUans. Ren-iuvril Terazr: hird community, seiisansl distribution, avifauna. chaparrill, San Gabriel Mountains, soutBcl.n Califainin The Author: WILLIAM 0. WlRTZ 11, is Professor of Biology. Pobnann Callcge, Clal.ernon1, California, and a Station coopemtor.
    [Show full text]