Authors
  • English, Philina A.
  • Nocera, Joseph J.
  • Pond, Bruce A.
  • Green, David J.
Universities
  • Simon Fraser University
  • Trent University
URL
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-016-0454-y

Summary

Populations of many aerially insectivorous birds are declining, yet conservation efforts remain focused on habitat due to an absence of data on changes in prey availability. We evaluate the potential for prey and habitat availability at multiple spatial scales to influence a population of eastern whip-poor-wills (Antrostomus vociferous).

Methodology

We assess relationships between landcover (topographical map and satellite imagery) and insect abundance (moths and beetles from blacklight traps), and whip-poor-will distribution and abundance within eastern Canada using Ontario breeding bird atlas data (1980s and 2000s), acoustic recordings (regional), and point counts (local).