The Effect of Fire on Woody Plant Selection by Nesting Nongame Birds

Abstract

Selection of woody plants by nesting nongame birds was investigated in burns of several different ages in a honey mesquite-tobosagrass community in central Texas. Lotebush and honey mesquite were the most important plants used with nesting activity recorded in 30.3% of all lotebushes inspected. The average volume of 97 occupied lotebushes was 1.6m3. Above-ground age of the smallest plants used averaged 6.1 years. The majority (68.6%) of the lotebushes counted in density plots were resprouts following fires and only 3.0 plants/ha were actually available as nest sites.