Short-Term Effects of Cool and Hot Prescribed Burning on Breeding Songbird Populations in the Alabama Piedmont
Abstract Surveys of breeding songbirds following relatively hot and cool fires indicated different population responses to fire intensity. A greater number of birds and bird species were found on the sites receiving cool burns. Nesting guild analysis indicated canopy, shrub, and cavity nesters were more abundant on the areas receiving cool burns. Ground nesters were more abundant on the areas receiving hot burns. Feeding guilds that were in greater abundance on the cool burns were canopy gleaners, shrub gleaners, and bark gleaners. Ground gleaners were more abundant on the hot bum treatments. Hover gleaners and salliers showed no differences between the two treatment types. Cool fires resulted in patchy vegetation patterns that benefited birds using the canopy and midstory, while hot fires benefited those using the ground. South. J. Appl. For. 00(0):18-22.