Woodlands and Woodland Birds in IllinoisWoodlands and Woodland Birds in Illinois

Jeff BrawnJeff Brawn

University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

““Disturbance BirdsDisturbance Birds””

Species that have an importantSpecies that have an important

association with habitats that areassociation with habitats that are

created or maintained by some agent ofcreated or maintained by some agent of

disturbancedisturbance

For this Study:For this Study:

Savannas and Woodland:Savannas and Woodland: 20 to 20 to

80% canopy closure, not shrub80% canopy closure, not shrub

or grassland habitat, usuallyor grassland habitat, usually

dominated by oaks. Nearly alldominated by oaks. Nearly all

the sites visited were in thethe sites visited were in the

higher end of this rangehigher end of this range

Historical Range of Oak Savannas/WoodlandsHistorical Range of Oak Savannas/Woodlands

What bird species are associated with theseWhat bird species are associated with these

habitats?habitats?

For oak savannas and woodlands, mostFor oak savannas and woodlands, most

species are also found elsewhere (e.g.,species are also found elsewhere (e.g.,

forest, grassland, edges)forest, grassland, edges)

The Red-headed Woodpecker is anThe Red-headed Woodpecker is an

exceptionexception

Great Crested FlycatcherGreat Crested Flycatcher

Baltimore OrioleBaltimore Oriole

Northern BobwhiteNorthern Bobwhite

How are these species doing in Illinois?How are these species doing in Illinois?

For this, much of what is learned is from theFor this, much of what is learned is from the

Breeding Bird SurveyBreeding Bird Survey

Grassland Shrub-Scrub Savanna Forest Generalist

Habitat Groups

0

15

30

45

60

% in Category

Population Trends in North American BirdsBreeding Bird Survey: 1966-2006

Signif.

Decrease

Decrease Signif.

Increase

Increase

Red-headed WoodpeckerRed-headed Woodpecker

Region 22 (most of central and northernRegion 22 (most of central and northern

Illinois)Illinois)

For the Bird Conservation Area that IncludesFor the Bird Conservation Area that Includes

Much of Illinois: Oak Savanna and WoodlandMuch of Illinois: Oak Savanna and Woodland

BirdsBirds

Concern:Concern: Red-headed WoodpeckersRed-headed Woodpeckers

Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher

Eastern Kingbird Eastern Kingbird

No No ProblemaProblema American Robin American Robin

Eastern Bluebird Eastern Bluebird

How does restoration change constituentHow does restoration change constituent

animal populations and communities?animal populations and communities?

Sampled in series of restored savannas pairedSampled in series of restored savannas paired

with undisturbed, closed-canopy forests.with undisturbed, closed-canopy forests.

-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

0

10

20

30

40

50

% Frequency (DFA scores)

Illinois Oak Savanna and Forests

> Red-headed Woodpeckers, > Indigo buntings, > Baltimore Orioles

> Ovenbirds, > Scarlet Tanagers, > Red-eyed Vireos

Effects of Disturbance on Overall Community Structure

Disturbed

Undisturbed

Bird communities associated with savannas andBird communities associated with savannas and

open woodlands are identifiable and reasonablyopen woodlands are identifiable and reasonably

distinct from forest (or other) birddistinct from forest (or other) bird

communitiescommunities

The suite of species associated with theseThe suite of species associated with these

habitats are of serious conservation concernhabitats are of serious conservation concern

and have legitimate ecological identity.and have legitimate ecological identity.