Populations and Energetics of Taiga Birds near Fairbanks, Alaska
West GC and Dewolfe BB. 1974. Populations and Energetics of Taiga Birds near Fairbanks, Alaska. The Auk. 91(4):757-775
The birds present in two adjacent areas of taiga in interior Alaska were censused from late May to the end of August using a modification of the trail census method of Emlen (1971). On area A we found 48 species, 22 of which were regular inhabitants and on area B, 23 species, with 10 regular inhabitants. Area A was characterized by greater habitat diversity than area B. The resting metabolic rate during daytime was measured on 11 species of regular inhabitants and the total amount of energy needed for existence, reproductive activities, and molt were estimated. At both census sites the population and estimated energy removal increased in July and decreased again in August. In general the higher numbers in July were a result of production of young; the decrease in August was a result of mortality and emigration from the census area. The total numbers of breeding birds and their biomass were less on the two sites censused than those reported in other localities within the boreal forest from Northwest Territories, southern Ontario, or northern Minnesota.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- West, George; Dewolfe, Barbara
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Abundance, Birds, Boreal Forest, Community Ecology, Distribution, Grouse, Habitat Use, Metabolism, Nest Sites, nesting biology, Passerines, Physiology, Species Diversity, Subarctic, woodpeckers