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Winter habitat and distribution of the endangered golden‐cheeked warbler ( Dendroica chrysoparia )
Author(s) -
Rappole John H.,
King David I.,
Leimgruber Peter
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2000.tb00086.x
Subject(s) - warbler , endangered species , juniper , habitat , ecology , geography , range (aeronautics) , forestry , biology , materials science , composite material
Abstract The golden‐cheeked warbler ( Dendroica chrysoparia ) is an endangered Neotropical migrant that breeds in oak ( Quercus )/juniper ( Juniperus ) habitat of the Edwards Plateau in central Texas. Recently work has been done on the factors affecting breeding populations of this species, but little is known about winter habitat use or distribution. We used extensive field surveys in Honduras and Guatemala to obtain locational information, which was used with topographical and remote sensing data, to identify and calculate the amount of suitable habitat available, and to map the species' distribution in the region. Most individuals were found in pine–oak from 1100–2400 m (= 1651 (± 246) m) in elevation, a habitat type that occupied 29.8% of the total land area above 914 m in the region investigated. Based on this information and existing locational data from the literature, we present a map of the winter range for the golden‐cheeked warbler. Threats to the species during this period of the life cycle include logging, burning and clearing for pasture and agriculture.