Forest bird response to regeneration practices in central hardwood forests

We studied breeding songbird populations in a managed, predominantly forested landscape, in southeastern Missouri. We determined differences in the relative abundance of breeding birds in forest stands that had been harvested by the clearcut (n = 12), shelterwood (n = 12), group selection (n = 12), and single-tree selection (n = 10) forest regeneration methods, and mature even-aged stands (n = 12). Five migrant songbirds, the blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus), prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), rufous-sided towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus), and yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), were more abundant in clearcut treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea) and field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) were more abundant in clearcut and shelterwood treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Hooded warblers (Wilsonia citrina) and northern parulas (Parula americana) were more abundant in the selection treatments than other treatments (P < 0.001). Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) and wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) were most abundant in mature sites (P < 0.001). Acadian flycatchers (Empidonax virescens) and red-eyed vireos (Vireo olivaceus) were more abundant in group and single-tree selection treatments and mature stands than in clearcut or shelterwood treatments (P < 0.02). Numbers of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) were greater in clearcut treatments than in other treatments (P < 0.001). The abundances of 2 avian nest predators, the blue lay (Cyanocitta cristata), and the American crow (Corvus brachyrhyches), were not significantly greater in any of the 5 treatments (P > 0.30). Nest success of species nesting in clearcut and shelterwood treatments was 18-50%. The percent of the sire in gaps, shrub stem density, and tree-diameter distribution differed among forest regeneration methods (P < 0.001). We believe habitat requirements of birds in managed forests can be best met by a mixture of even- and uneven-aged forest management that creates a range of disturbance sizes.