Ecological Distribution of Birds in the Napaskiak Area of the Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska
Williamson FS. 1957. Ecological Distribution of Birds in the Napaskiak Area of the Kuskokwim River Delta, Alaska. The Condor. 59(5):317-338
In conjunction with studies of animal-borne diseases, 37 days in May, June, and August of 1955 and 1956 were spent by the writer gathering information on birds of the Napaskiak area of the Kuskokwim River delta, Alaska. A brief discussion of the climate, topography, and general ecological setting of this area is presented. Placing emphasis on the life-form of the vegetation, a list of ten ecologic formations is discussed and employed to analyze the distribution of birds. Sixty-two species of birds were recorded in the region. An annotated list, with data from specimens, is presented. Two species, the Goshawk and the Arctic Loon, fluctuated markedly in abundance between the two years. In addition, several species were scarce or absent in the area, although they were present in nearby localities in similar vegetational and topographic formations. The direct effects of climate, or other physical factors, are suggested as influencing at least some of these distributional patterns. Additional studies of habitat relations and climate as they influence each species at various localities in the area are needed.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Williamson, Francis
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , YUCH , WRST
- Keywords
- Abundance, Arctic Loon, Birds, Community Ecology, Distribution, Ducks, Eiders, Gulls, Habitat Use, Loons, Northern Goshawk, Raptors, Subarctic, Waterfowl