Arboreal Dead-Leaf-Searching Birds of the Neotropics

Remsen, J. V.; Parker, Theodore A.

doi:10.2307/1367341

Cited by 97 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Scalesia trees provide several suitable microhabitats for a variety of insects, such as dead leaves remaining attached to branches, moss and bark. Attached dead leaves play an important role for several Neotropical insectivorous birds with foraging techniques adapted to utilise this particular feeding niche (Remsen and Parker 1984;Canaday 1996). However, the search for arthropods hidden in curled dead leaves comes at a high trial and error cost, resulting in a higher prey attack rate but not higher foraging success in the canopy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of invasive plant management on the foraging ecology of the Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) and the Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) on Galápagos

et al. 2017

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In recent decades, arboreal Darwin's Finches have suffered from a dramatic population decline, which has been attributed to parasitism by the invasive botfly Philornis downsi. However, changes to their primary habitat caused by invasive plant species may have additionally contributed to the observed population decline. The humid cloud forest on Santa Cruz Island is a stronghold of arboreal Darwin's Finches but has been invaded by blackberry (Rubus niveus). In some areas, manual control and herbicide application are used to combat this invasion, both causing a temporary removal of the entire understory. We hypothesized that the removal of the understory reduces the availability of arthropods, which are a main food source during chick rearing. We compared the foraging behaviour of Warbler Finches (Certhidea olivacea) and Small Tree Finches (Camarhynchus parvulus) at three study sites that varied in the degree of R. niveus invasion and the length of time since the last herbicide application. We used prey attack rate and foraging success as an index for food availability and predicted a lower attack rate and foraging success in areas that had recently been sprayed with herbicides. We found that both the invasion and the management of R. niveus influenced microhabitat use, foraging substrate and prey choice in both species. Contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find a lower attack rate or foraging success in the area with recent herbicide application. This may be explained by the finding that both species mainly foraged in the canopy but also used dead plant structures of the understory of the recently controlled area that resulted from the invasive plant management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of invasive plant management on the foraging ecology of the Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) and the Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) on Galápagos

et al. 2017

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“…Appropriate behaviors are well developed in Worm-eating Warblers. It is likely that certain unusual morphological characteristics of Worm-eating Warblers, such as their disproportionately large bills (Remsen and Parker 1984) and short tarsi, are adaptations for dead leaf foraging as well.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It appears that the shift in relative abundance and type of dead leaf and live leaf arthropods, rather than the relative abundance of dead versus live leaves (cf Remsen and Parker 1984), is the driving ecological force in the behavioral shift of the Worm-eating Warbler. I did not observe any consistent difference in the relative abundance of dead and live leaves between the temperate and tropical sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nor did they become specialized on searching dead leaves when in the dense laurel understory of the Maryland site which was so rich in dead leaves. Much more censusing of the relative abundance of dead leaves and arthropods is necessary to determine which is more important for supporting the great increase in resident dead-leaf-foragers between subtropical and tropical areas (Remsen and Parker 1984).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal Foraging Specialization in the Worm-Eating Warbler

Greenberg

1987

The Condor

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Abstract. The foraging behavior of Worm-eating Warblers (Helmitheros vermivorus) was studied in Maryland during the breeding season and in Jamaica, Dominican RepubUc, and Belize during the nonbreeding season. Over 75% of the foraging maneuvers recorded from May to early August in Maryland were directed towards live foliage, whereas over 75% of the maneuvers were directed towards dead curled leaves in the understory of tropical forest in the temperate zone winter. Sampling of the relative abundance of arthropods associated with dead and live foliage showed that although the ratio of total numbers in dead and live leaves was similar in the temperate and tropical sites, the overall ratio of estimated biomass was considerably greater in the tropical sites. This is because large arthropods commonly use dead curled leaves as daytime roosts in tropical forests. However, the largest temperatezone arthropods are generally found on leaf surfaces during the day. The winter-foraging specialization on dead leaf arthropods apparently is the more demanding; the most specialized search and attack behaviors are associated with feeding at dead and hve curled leaves. I revisited the Belize study sites in September, when Worm-eating Warblers were presumably arriving and found an intermediate use of dead and live leaves. Relative abundances of arthropods on dead and live leaves were similar to those found in the winter period at the same sites. This suggests a period of transition which is consistent with the trial and error learning hypothesis for the development of seasonal foraging specializations in this species.

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“…Although, the importance of epiphytes for birds may be lodged in the periods of scarcity non-epiphyte resources in the forest as well as in the extra-resources offered by epiphytes for birds along the year (Nadkarni 1994). Epiphytes are faced as a new source of resources for birds in the tropics (Nadkarni & Matelson 1989, Sillett 1994, beside larger insects, army ants, bamboo clumps and suspended dead leaves (Remsen Jr. & Parker III 1984). Despite this, the scarcity of data involving registrations of bird-epiphyte interactions might be related with the need of considerable efforts on the field due the frequent obstruction of observer's vision in dense tropical forests.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epiphyte Plants Use by Birds in Brazil

Cestári¹

2009

Oecol. Austr.

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This study firstly reviewed the interspecific interaction records between birds and epiphyte plants in Brazil. Forty two documents, including articles, scientific notes, books and thesis, and 35 personal records and from collaborators were argued, totaling 112 species of birds that interacted with 97 species of epiphyte plants. Two articles treated the theme specifically and another 40 treated related subjects, such as: pollination of epiphytes, ecology and feeding behavior of birds. Studies were concentrated mainly in Atlantic Forest, in the southeastern Brazilian region. The epiphyte species more visited by birds was Aechmea nudicaulis (Bromeliaceae). The main visitor of epiphytes was Ramphodon naevius (Trochilidae). According to the number of authors' citations an index of generality in bird-epiphyte interactions was created. As result the index inferred that the ovenbird Cichlocolaptes leucophrus and the bromeliad Nidularium procerum are less generalist and more specialist species in bird-epiphyte interactions. The totality of the papers showed a considerable number of bird species that use the epiphytes plants and its resources, including nectar, fruits, invertebrates, nest material, nesting place, water and bath. Considering the importance of epiphytes to supply a variety of resources for birds, these results highlighted the necessity of additional and specific studies about the theme in various Brazilian regions and biomes. Keywords: Atlantic Forest, avian community, bird-plant interaction, bromeliads, resources. RESUMO O USO DE PLANTAS EPÍFITAS POR AVES NO BRASIL.O presente estudo trata-se da primeira revisão sobre registros de interações interespecíficas entre aves e plantas epífitas no Brasil. Quarenta e dois documentos, incluindo artigos, notas científicas, livros, teses e 35 registros pessoais e de colaboradores foram levantados, totalizando 112 espécies de aves que interagiram com 97 espécies de plantas epífitas. Dois artigos se referiram sobre o tema especificamente, e outros 40 documentos trataram de assuntos relacionados, tais como polinização de epífitas, ecologia e forrageamento de aves. Os estudos foram realizados principalmente na Mata Atlântica da região sudeste do Brasil. A espécie de epífita mais visitada pelas aves foi Aechmea nudicaulis (Bromeliaceae). A principal espécie de ave visitante de plantas epífitas foi Ramphodon naevius (Trochilidae). Considerando o número de citações, foi criado um índice de generalização para interações entre espécies de aves e epífitas. Este índice inferiu que o furnariídeo Cichlocolaptes leucophrus e a bromélia Nidularium procerum são respectivamente as espécies menos generalistas e mais especialistas em interações interespecíficas aves-epífitas. A totalidade dos estudos mostrou um considerável número de espécies de aves que utilizam as plantas epífitas e seus recursos, incluindo néctar, frutos, invertebrados, material para ninho, local para nidificação, água e banho. Considerando a importância da variedade de recursos oferecidos pelas plantas epífi...

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Arboreal Dead-Leaf-Searching Birds of the Neotropics

Cited by 97 publications

References 23 publications

The impact of invasive plant management on the foraging ecology of the Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) and the Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) on Galápagos

The impact of invasive plant management on the foraging ecology of the Warbler Finch (Certhidea olivacea) and the Small Tree Finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) on Galápagos

Seasonal Foraging Specialization in the Worm-Eating Warbler

Epiphyte Plants Use by Birds in Brazil

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