Wetland And Riparian Habitat Use By Birds In The Bear River Drainage, Wyoming

Authors(s): B. J. Heath

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

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Location: Laramie WY

Abstract: I investigated habitat use by selected waterbirds and passerine birds along the Bear River drainage in southwestern Wyoming. I used discriminant analysis to identify attributes of riparian, submergent, and marsh habitats that were important in determining species habitat use. Birds used sites in riparian habitat that had greater vertical structure than was available at random sites. Riparian areas with combinations of shrubs, saplings, and trees provided vertical structure for passerine birds and should be maintained. During the breeding/nesting and brood-rearing/post-breeding seasons wetland habitats were used differently among shorebirds, puddle ducks, redheads, coots, and passerines and features at used sites differed relative to random locations. A complex of wetland habitats may be needed to accomodate birds using the area.

Keywords: Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Bear River Drainage, breeding, animal, bird, Aves, ornithology, water bird, waterfowl, Anatidae, perching , passerine, Passiformes, habitat, nest, nesting, shorebird, puddle duck, redhead, Aytha americana, coot, Fulica american