Report on the Systematic Reconnaissance Flight Wading Bird Survey in Everglades National Park, 1985-1998 [Draft]
Russell GJ, Portier KM, Bass OL, Fleming D, Harris LD, Steible C, Oberhofer L, Pimm SL. 1999. Report on the Systematic Reconnaissance Flight Wading Bird Survey in Everglades National Park, 1985-1998 [Draft]. SRF Wading Bird Report (draft)
Foraging patterns of colonial wading birds (Ciconiiformes) in the 4300 sq km of the southern Everglades in Florida are described for 93 sampling dates during 1985 to 1995 based on observations from a systematic aerial sampling program. Sampling occurred primarily during the winter months (Dec-May) for each year with a mid-summer (August) sample. Additional months were included at the beginning of the program as well as just after hurricane Andrew. An index of bird abundance is used to examine temporal and spatial patterns as well as explore correlations with landscape and surface water coverage patterns. Location and counts of Great Egret (Casmerobous albas), Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Great Blue Heron (Area heridus), Great White Heron (Ardea heridus occidentalis), White Ibis (Eudimicus alba), Glossy Ibis (Eudimicus niger), Wood Stork (Myrcia americana) and Roseate Spoonbill (Ajai ajai) were collected. Feeding guilds were created by pooling the above into the following: short-legged, tactile feeders (White Ibis, Glossy Ibis), long-legged, tactile feeders (Wood Storks, Roseate Spoonbills) and long-legged, visual feeders (Great Blue Herons, Great White Herons, Great Egrets).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Russell, Gareth; Portier, Kenneth; Bass, Oron; Fleming, D. Martin; Harris, Larry; Steible, Christine; Oberhofer, Laurie; Pimm, Stuart
- Date of Issue
- 1999-02
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- aerial sampling, Bird Abundance, Feeding guilds, surface water coverage, Wading Birds