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Tag: Fire

Effects of restoration and fire on habitats and populations of western hummingbirds: A literature review

To inform future restoration efforts, we reviewed the known effects of fire and habitat management and restoration on hummingbirds in four key habitat types in North America. We examined seven species that most commonly occur west of the Rocky Mountains: Rufous (Selasphorus rufus), Calliope (Selasphorus calliope), Broad-tailed (Selasphorus platycercus), Costa’s (Calypte costae), Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri), Anna’s (Calypte anna), and Allen’s (Selasphorus sasin). Our review found that most western hummingbird species respond positively to wild or prescribed fire in forested and chaparral habitats of the western United States, although some hummingbird occurrence declines following fire, possibly due to the loss of preferred nesting habitat in mature forests. Restoration practices that eradicate exotic plants, encourage the regeneration of native shrubs and flowering plants (especially understory vegetation), and promote early and mid-successional habitats connected with native stand trees will benefit hummingbirds by providing foraging habitat in migration and on breeding grounds. Restoration practices that encourage the regeneration of native shrubs, understory vegetation, and native epiphytes, while maintaining forest canopy, can also benefit hummingbirds. We also identify many critical research questions and needs which, if addressed, would improve the quantification of pre- and postfire and habitat management impacts on hummingbirds, especially Allen’s and Rufous populations, which are experiencing steep population declines.

Citation

Alexander, J. D.; Williams, E. J.; Gillespie, C. R.; Contreras-Martínez, S.; Finch, D. M. 2020. Effects of restoration and fire on habitats and populations of western hummingbirds: A literature review. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-408. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 64 p.

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