Habitat orientations of forest birds in southeastern Alaska

Spring/summer bird were conducted in coastal forest stands in southeast Alaska in 1978 and 1979. The 10 habitat categories surveyed included riparian and nonriparian situations and a successional sequence from new clearcuts to old growth. For 35 species recorded, over half of total observations were contributed by the Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes ), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco byemalis ), Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa ), Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Parus rufescens ), and Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata ). Lowest species richness occurred in new clearcuts and in young second-growth sawtimber. Riparian situations supported greater avian abundance and species richness than did riparian stands of the same successional stage. Trends in avian occurrence are related to stand structural changes that occur through the successional sequence. Silvi-cultural practices such as thinning may have potential to enhance habitat structure and avian diversity in managed second-growth stands.