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Use of artificially created douglas-fir snags by cavity-nesting birds

Western Journal of Applied Forestry
By: , and 

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Abstract

In western Oregon, we created snags by sawing tops off live Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) (n = 821) trees and monitored their condition and use by cavity-nesting birds. We created snags in three silvicultural treatments: modified clearcut stands, two-story stands, and small-patch group-selection stands. We used two snag patterns: clumped and scattered. Created snags averaged 3.8/ha in density, 17 m in height, and 75 cm in diameter. Chainsaw-topped snags were used by cavity nesters within 5 yr of creation. Abundance of excavated cavities increased in all silvicultural treatments (P = 0.0001) and was higher in two-story and clearcut stands than in small-patch stands (P a?? 0.0004). We did not, however, find that snag pattern (clumped v. scattered) affected use by cavity-nesting birds based on abundance of excavated cavities (P > 0.6). We observed excavated cavities in five hardwood species indicating that hardwoods represented an important resource for cavity-nesting birds. Creating conifer snags by topping and retaining hardwoods may retain or increase populations of cavity nesters in areas with low natural snag density.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Use of artificially created douglas-fir snags by cavity-nesting birds
Series title Western Journal of Applied Forestry
Volume 12
Issue 3
Year Published 1997
Language English
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description p. 93-97
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Western Journal of Applied Forestry
First page 93
Last page 97
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