USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 1

United States

Department

of Agriculture

Forest Service

Rocky Mountain

Research Station

Research Note

RMRS-RN-28

July 2005

Bird Counts in Stands of Big

Sagebrush and Greasewood

Bruce L. Welch

Abstract—Total numbers of birds and numbers of bird species were significantly (p=0.05 percent) higher in stands of big sagebrush than in stands of

greasewood. This was especially true for Brewer’s sparrow, lark sparrow, and

mourning dove. The big sagebrush ecosystem appears to support greater number

of birds and more species of birds than does the greasewood ecosystem.

Introduction ____________________

While walking through a stand of greasewood (Sarcobatus

spp.), I noticed some Brewer’s sparrow (Spizella breweri),

which are considered by some to be a sagebrush-obligate

(Belthoff and others 1998; Reynolds 1981; Welch 2005).

Johnsgard and Rickard (1957), however, found some use of

other shrub species by Brewer’s sparrow other than big

sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) or silver sagebrush (A. cana).

These were snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.), hawthorn

(Crataegus spp.), plum (Prunus spp.), and serviceberry

(Amelanchier spp.).

Short (1984) reported for Brewer’s sparrow a habitat suitability index of 1.0 for shrub communities dominated by big

sagebrush, 0.5 for shrub communities dominated by hawthorn

or serviceberry, and 0.1 for shrub communities dominated by

greasewood. Interestingly, shrub communities, dominated by

big sagebrush, with an index of 1.0 also, had a canopy cover

of 30 percent or more (Short 1984)—far higher than that

considered normal by some in the range management community (Miller and others 1994; Winward 1991). Thus, shrub

communities dominated by big sagebrush could support higher

numbers of Brewer’s sparrow than shrub communities dominated by greasewood. This may extend to additional species

of birds such as sage sparrow (Amphispiza belli), lark sparrow

(Chondestes grammacus), sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes

montanus), and others (Belthoff and others 1998; Reynolds

1981; Welch 2002; Welch 2004).

I designed a study to test the hypothesis that total number of

birds, number of bird species, and total number of specific

species of birds are higher in stands of big sagebrush than in

stands of greasewood.

Materials and Methods ___________

I selected 10 stands of big sagebrush and greasewood to

conduct bird counts. The stands were paired according to date

of count. Table 1 lists the location of each pair. Stands of big

sagebrush and greasewood were selected that had less than 20

percent decadent shrubs in the stands and that were typical of

the ecosystem for height and canopy cover. While the shrub

component was healthy for all stands selected, the understory

species were suffering from the combined effects of overgrazing by livestock and prolonged drought. Percent shrub canopy

cover of selected big sagebrush stands were in the low 30’s

which was considered by Short (1984) to be optimal for

Brewer’s sparrow but excessive by others (Miller and other

1994; Winward 1991). Standards have not been determined

for greasewood stands, and even the thickest greasewood

stands appeared not to match the canopy of big sagebrush.

Stands were selected that would provide enough continuous

cover to accommodate a mile-long transect. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit was used to lay out the 1 mile

transects. In three cases—one greasewood and two big sagebrush stands—a 1 mile straight line transect was not possible,

so a short side branch was added to complete the mile (25 May

2004 greasewood; 4 June 2004 big sagebrush; 7 June 2004 big

sagebrush).

Bird counts were conducted between 24 May 2004 and 14

June 2004 and between the hours of 7:30 and 11:30 a.m. Birds

that were flushed from stands and birds that flew into stands

were counted. Fly-overs were counted only if the birds appeared to be hunting over the stands; this would apply to

swallows, eagles, ravens, hawks, and other hunters.

Statistical tests were performed on the various data sets.

Tests included paired t-tests (Hintze 1992), a nonparametric

test, Wilcoxon match pairs tests (Hintze 1992), and

Bruce L. Welch is a research plant physiologist with the U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Shrub

Sciences Laboratory, Provo, UT 84606.
2 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

multiresponse permutation procedure for one-way layouts

(Mielke and Berry 2001), for total number of birds, total

number of bird species, and for specific individual species of

birds that appeared to be in greater number in one of the two

ecosystems. Probability levels were set at 5 percent.

Results ________________________

Results of bird counts, on an individual bird species basis,

are given in table 2. Number of bird species per stand per date

are shown in table 3. Table 4 presents the data used to conduct

statistical tests for differences between the two ecosystems:

total number of birds, total number of bird species, number of

Brewer’s sparrows, number of horned larks–Eremophila

alpestris, number of lark sparrow, number of mourning doves–

Zenaida macroura, and number of western meadow larks–

Sturnella neglecta.

There were significantly more birds counted in big sagebrush stands than in stands of greasewood—46.0±16.8 versus

17.9±10.0 (tables 3, 4). Also, significantly more bird species

were encountered in stands of big sagebrush than in greasewood—9.0±1.5 versus 4.4±1.1 (tables 3, 4). Brewer’s sparrow counts were significantly greater in big sagebrush than in

greasewood—14.7±10.8 versus 4.1±2.3 (tables 3, 4). Other

bird species that were significantly more numerous in big

sagebrush than in greasewood included: lark sparrows—

5.0±6.4 versus 0.6±1.3, and mourning doves—4.8±4.8 versus

1.5±2.2 (tables 3, 4). Western meadow larks were not significantly higher in big sagebrush than in greasewood—5.4±3.7

versus 4.1±3.7 (tables 3, 4). Horned larks were not significantly higher in greasewood than in big sagebrush—4.3±5.4

versus 1.1±1.1 (tables 3, 4).

Species of birds found in big sagebrush, but not in greasewood, include: blue-winged teal–Anas discors, California

gulls—Larus californicus, Chipping sparrow—Spizella

passerina, chukars—Alectoris chukar, Cliff swallows—

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota, Cooper’s hawks—Accipiter

cooperii, golden eagles—Aquila chrysaetos, mallards—Anas

platyrhynchos, pinyon jays—Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus,

sage sparrows, sage thrashers, spotted towhees—Pipilo

maculatus, turkey vulture—Cathartes aura, vesper sparrow—

Pooecetes gramineus, and western kingbird—Tyrannus

verticalis (table 2). The loggerhead shrike—Lanius

ludovicianus—was the only bird species sighted in greasewood but not in big sagebrush (table 2).

Bird species common to both shrub communities were: barn

swallow—Riparia riparia, Brewer’s blackbird—Euphagus

cyanocephalus, Brewer’s sparrow, common Nighthawk—

Chordeiles minor, common raven—Corvus corax, horned

lark, lark sparrow, long-billed curlew—Numenius americanus,

mourning dove—Zenaida macroura, northern Harrier—Circus

cyaneus, western meadowlark—Sturnella neglecta, and willet—

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus (table 2).

Observations and

Discussion _____________________

Based on the of number of bird species and total number of

birds, it appears from this study that big sagebrush stands

provide a more productive habitat for birds than stands of

greasewood. Some bird species seem to occupy big sagebrush

stands exclusively: sage sparrow, sage thrasher, pinyon jay,

and western kingbird. However, I have sighted sage sparrows,

pinyon jays, and western kingbirds in other ecosystems (Welch

2002 and personal observations; Woodyard and others 2003).

This study is in general agreement with an earlier study

(Welch 2002), which compared bird counts of unburned big

sagebrush sites with burned-over big sagebrush dominated by

perennial grasses. I found that intact big sagebrush sites

supported more species of birds (7.5 versus 2.2 per mile), than

burned-over big sagebrush sites dominated by perennial

grasses. Also, unburned big sagebrush sites supported greater

numbers of total birds, 37.4 versus 7.6 per mile, compared to

burned-over sites dominated by perennial grasses.

It appears from this study that greasewood stands may

support more species of birds, 4.4 per mile, than burned-over

big sagebrush sites dominated by perennial grasses at 2.2 per

mile (Welch 2002). This also appears to be true for total

numbers of birds, 17.9 versus 7.6 per mile (Welch 2002).

This study, those of Reynolds and Trost (1980a,b,1981),

and Welch (2002) offer strong evidence of the importance of

intact big sagebrush stands in providing habitat for a number

of Western bird species. In my opinion, killing or thinning big

sagebrush, even in stands where canopy cover exceeds 20

percent (Miller and others 1994; Winward 1991), does not

result in wildlife habitat improvement for the majority of bird

or animal species that occur in big sagebrush ecosystems

(Welch 2005).

Some Special Observations

I made some unusual sightings of bird species during the

course of this study. They are explained below by date.

While walking the 01 June 2004 transect in a stand of big

sagebrush, I flushed a pair of blue-winged teals (table 3).

Later, a pair of blue-winged teal landed near the same location. I searched the big sagebrush in the immediate vicinity but

was unable to determine why they were there. Sevier Bridge

Reservoir was within three quarters of a mile from where the

teals were sighted (table 1).

Blue-winged teal were again sighted 03 June 2004 while

conducting a bird count in a big sagebrush stand (tables 1, 3).

Also, two mallard were flushed in this same stand. Again, I

searched the big sagebrush in the immediate vicinity in an

attempt to determine why the birds were there and found no

obvious reason. Rush Lake was within 1.5 miles of the

sighting.
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 3

On 08 June 2004 while conducting a bird count in a

greasewood stand (tables 1, 3), I watched numerous flocks of

California gull flying overhead on a southwest course, disappearing over some foothills. It was not until I had arrived at the

big sagebrush stand (table 1), later that morning, that I was

able to tell where these flocks of California gull were headed.

They were landing among big sagebrush plants for a few

seconds, then they would fly on for a few feet (around 50) and

land again for a few seconds. This was repeated several times

on an individual bird basis until a few individuals would fly off

toward the Great Salt Lake. While I was conducting the bird

count in the big sagebrush stand, small flocks of California

gulls were coming in waves from the Great Salt Lake replacing those that were leaving. I walked over where these gulls

were practicing “touch and go take offs and landings” and

found a high concentration of Mormon crickets. Presumably,

the California gulls were feeding on Mormon crickets living

among big sagebrush plants.

Acknowledgments_______________

The author expresses his appreciation to Dr. Jordan C.

Pederson, Dr. Carl L. Wambolt, and Mrs. Jackee L. Alston for

providing peer reviews of this manuscript. Dr. David L.

Turner provided a statistical review for this study.

References _____________________

Alsop, Fred J. III. 2001. Birds of North America; western region. New York

DK. 752 p.

Belthoff, James R.; Powers, Leon R.; Reynolds, Timothy D. 1998. Breeding

birds at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory,

1985—1991. Great Basin Naturalist. 58:167-183.

Hintze, Jerry L. 1992. Number cruncher statistical system. 329 N 1000 E,

Kaysville, UT 84037. 442 p.

Johnsgard, P. A.; Rickard, W. H. 1957. The relation of spring birds

distribution to a vegetation mosaic in southeastern Washington. Ecology. 38:171-174.

Mielke, Paul W. Jr.; Berry, Kenneth J. 2001. Permutation methods: A

distance function approach. New York: Springer-Verlag. 352 p.

Miller, Richard F.; Svejcar, Tony J.; West, Neil E. 1994. Implications of

livestock grazing in the Intermountain sagebrush region: plant composition. In: Vavra, Martin; Laycock, William A.; Pieper, Rex D., eds.

Ecological implications of livestock herbivory in the West. Denver, CO:

Society for Range Management: 101-146.

Reynolds, Timothy D. 1981. Nesting of the sage thrasher, sage sparrow, and

Brewer’s sparrow in southeastern Idaho. Condor. 83:61-64.

Reynolds, Timothy D.; Trost, Charles H. 1980a. The effect of crested wheatgrass planting on wildlife on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

site. In: Swanson, Gustav A., tech. coord. Proceedings–the mitigation

symposium. 1997 July 16-20; Fort Collins, CO. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-65.

Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky

Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 665-666.

Reynolds, Timothy D.; Trost, Charles H. 1980b. The response of native

vertebrate populations to crested wheatgrass planting and grazing by

sheep. Journal of Range Management. 33:122- 125.

Reynolds, Timothy D.; Trost, Charles H. 1981. Grazing, crested wheatgrass, and bird populations in southeastern Idaho. Northwest Science.

55:225-234.

Short, H. L. 1984. Habitat suitability index models: Brewer’ sparrow. U.S.

Fish Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-82/10.83. 16 p.

Welch, Bruce L. 2002. Bird counts of burned versus unburned big sagebrush

sites. Res. Note RMRS-RN-16. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 6 p.

Welch, Bruce L. 2005. Big sagebrush: a sea fragmented into lakes, ponds,

and puddles. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-144. Fort Collins, CO: U.S.

Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research

Station. 210 p.

Winward, Al H. 1991. A renewed commitment to the management of

sagebrush grasslands. Special Report 880. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State

University, Agriculture Experiment Station. 7 p.

Woodyard, John; Renfro, Melissa; Welch, Bruce L.; Heister, Kristina. 2003.

A 20 year recount of bird populations along a great Basin elevational

gradient. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-43. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.

Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper

You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing

information in label form through one of the following media. Please specify

the publication title and number.

Telephone (970) 498-1392

FAX (970) 498-1396

E-mail rschneider@fs.fed.us

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/rm

Mailing Address Publications Distribution

Rocky Mountain Research Station

240 West Prospect Road

Fort Collins, CO 80526
4 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

Table 1—Date of bird counts, starting points, and direction of travel for bird count surveys in big sagebrush and greasewood stands.

24 May 2004

Big sagebrush (east of Faust, UT) traveling south:

N 40∞ 13.771’

W 112∞ 10.95’

Greasewood (east of Faust, UT) traveling south by southwest:

N 40∞ 11.216’

W 112∞ 21.911’

25 May 2004

Big sagebrush (north of Yuba State Park, UT) traveling south:

N 39∞ 24.010’

W 112∞ 01.894’

Greasewood (west of Yuba State Park, UT) traveling NE for 0.71 mile and then WSW for 0.29 mile:

N 39∞ 22.607’

W 112∞ 04.123’

1 June 2004

Big sagebrush (south of Painted Rock Campground-Yuba State Park, UT) traveling northwest:

N 39∞ 20.715’

W 111∞ 57.268’

Greasewood (north of Painted Rock Campground-Yuba State Park, UT) traveling north:

N 39∞ 21.525’

W 111∞ 56.743’

2 June 2004

Big sagebrush (Little Sahara Recreation Area, UT south of turn off) traveling north:

N 39∞ 43.641’

W 112∞ 17.143’

Greasewood (east of Intermountain Power Project-North of Delta, UT) traveling northeast:

N 39∞ 28.808’

W 112∞ 25.179’

3 June 2004

Big sagebrush (south of Stockton, UT) traveling north:

N 40∞ 24.418’

W 112∞ 22.913’

Greasewood (south of Stockton, UT) traveling north:

N 40∞ 22.910’

W 112∞ 23.089

4 June 2004

Big sagebrush (north of Iosepa, UT) traveling north for 0.83 mile and then east for 0.17 mile:

N 40∞ 36.716’

W 112∞ 41.439’

Greasewood (north of Iosepa, UT) traveling north by northwest:

N 40∞ 39.314’

W 112∞ 41.143’

7 June 2004

Big sagebrush (northwest of Grantsville, UT) traveling west by southwest for 0.54 mile, then 0.46 mile south:

N 40∞ 41.971’

W 112∞ 35.455’

Greasewood (northwest of Grantsville, UT) traveling west by northwest:

N 40∞ 42.716’

W 112∞ 35.440’

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 5

8 June 2004

Big sagebrush (northwest of Grantsville, UT) traveling north by northwest:

N 40∞ 35.952’

W 112∞ 32.223’

Greasewood (northwest of Grantsville, UT) traveling southeast:

N 40∞ 40.878’

W 112∞ 32.828’

9 June 2004

Big sagebrush (south of Fairfield, UT) traveling southwest:

N 40∞ 13.064’

W 112∞ 04.422’

Greasewood (south of Fairfield, UT) traveling south:

N 40∞ 15.201’

W 112∞ 05.732’

14 June 2004

Big sagebrush (west of Faust, UT) traveling northwest:

N 40∞ 08.549’

W 112∞ 28.333’

Greasewood (east of Faust, UT) traveling northeast:

N 40∞ 11.084’

W 112∞ 22.724’

Table 1 (Con.)
6 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

Table 2—Results of bird counts in 10 paired stands of big sagebrush and

greasewood on an individual bird species basis. Common and scientific

names after Alsop (2001). Each line of data is based on the date

collected for a specific time; for instance, the first line represents data

collected on 24 May 2004, second line 25 May 2004, and so forth.

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

Barn Swallow - -

(Hirundo rustica)2 -

- -

- -

4 1

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 6 1

Black-billed Magpie - -

(Pica nuttalli)- -

- 1

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 0 1

Blue-winged Teal - -

(Anas discors)- -

2 -

- -

3 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 5 0

Brewer’s Blackbird - -

(Euphagus cyanocephalus)6 -

- -

- -

8 4

- -

2 -

- -

1 13

- -

Totals 17 17

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 7

Brewer’s Sparrow 6 2

(Spizella breweri)7 8

6 4

15 2

21 5

6 3

6 3

18 8

24 13

38 2

Totals 147 41

California Gull - -

(Larus californicus)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

3 (large flock) -

- -

- -

Totals 3 0

Chipping Sparrow - -

(Spizella paserina)2 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

4 -

- -

Totals 6 0

Chukar - -

(Alectoris chukar)- -

6 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 6 0

Cliff Swallow - -

(Hirundo pyrrhonota)4 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 4 0

Table 2 (Con.)

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

(con.)
8 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

Common Nighthawk - -

(Chordeiles minor)- -

- -

- 2

- -

1 -

- -

- 2

- -

2 -

Totals 3 4

Common Raven 1 -

(Corvus corax)1 1

- -

- 2

3 -

1 1

1 -

1 -

- -

- -

Totals 8 4

Copper Hawk - -

(Accipiter cooperii)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

1 -

- -

Totals 1 0

Golden Eagle - -

(Aquila chrysaetos)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

1 -

- -

Totals 1 0

Horned Lark 3 3

(Eremophila alpestris) - 11

- -

2 -

- 2

1 9

1 -

2 15

- 3

2 -

Totals 11 43

Table 2 (Con.)

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 9

Lark Sparrow 2 -

(Chondestes grammacus)3 -

7 3

- -

2 -

3 -

16 3

17 -

- -

- -

Totals 50 6

Loggerhead Shrike - -

(Lanius ludovicianus)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- 1

- -

- -

- -

Totals 0 1

Long-billed Curlew - -

(Numenius americanus)- -

- -

- -

- -

- 2

- -

3 -

- -

- -

Totals 3 2

Mallard - -

(Anas platyrhynchos)- -

- -

- -

2 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 2 0

Mourning Dove - -

(Zenaida macroura)6 -

4 3

8 4

- -

3 -

2 -

4 -

17 6

2 2

Totals 48 15

Table 2 (Con.)

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

(con.)
10 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

Northern Harrier - 1

(Circus cyaneus)- -

- -

- -

- -

1 -

1 -

- -

- 1

1 -

Totals 3 2

Pinyon Jay - -

(Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)- -

5 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 5 0

Sage Sparrow 2 -

(Amphispiza belli)- -

- -

7 -

- -

4 -

- -

- -

9 -

8 -

Totals 28 0

Sage Thrasher 1 -

(Oreoscoptes montanus)2 -

- -

3 -

12 -

- -

- -

4 -

- -

8 -

Totals 30 0

Spotted Towhee - -

(Pipilo maculatus)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

2 -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 2 0

Table 2 (Con.)

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 11

Table 2 (Con.)

Species Big sagebrush Greasewood

Turkey Vulture - -

(Cathartes aura)- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

1 -

- -

- -

Totals 1 0

Vesper Sparrow 1 -

(Pooecetes gramineus)- -

2 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

3 -

Totals 6 0

Western Kingbird 1 -

(Tyrannus verticalis)6 -

1 -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 8 0

Western Meadowlark 1 -

(Sturnella neglecta)3 3

6 1

3 3

7 4

8 -

9 9

12 11

5 6

- 4

Totals 54 41

Willet - -

(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus)- -

- -

- -

2 1

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

Totals 2 1

 Grand totals 460 179
12 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

24 May 2004

Big Sagebrush

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------6

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark ----------------------------3

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------2

Sage Sparrow --------------------------2

Sage Thrasher -------------------------1

Vesper Sparrow -----------------------1

Western Kingbird ----------------------1

Western Meadow Lark ---------------1

Species-9; total birds-18

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow2

Horned Lark ----------------------------3

Northern Harrier -----------------------1

Species-3; total birds-6

25 May 2004

Big Sagebrush

Barn Swallow ---------------------------2

Brewer’s Blackbird --------------------6

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------7

Chipping Sparrow ---------------------2

Cliff Swallow ----------------------------4

Common Raven -----------------------1

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------3

Mourning Dove-------------------------6

Sage Thrasher -------------------------2

Western Kingbird ----------------------6

Western Meadow Lark ---------------3

Species-11; total birds-42

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------8

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark -------------------------- 11

Western Meadow Lark ---------------3

Species-4; total birds-23

1 June 2004

Big Sagebrush

Blue-winged Teal----------------------2

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------6

Chukar -----------------------------------6

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------7

Mourning Dove-------------------------4

Pinyon Jay ------------------------------5

Vesper Sparrow -----------------------2

Western Kingbird ----------------------1

Western Meadow Lark ---------------6

Species-9; total birds-39

Greasewood

Black-billed Magpie -------------------1

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------4

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------3

Mourning Dove-------------------------3

Western Meadow Lark ---------------1

Species-5; total birds-12

2 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Sparrow ------------------- 15

Horned Lark ----------------------------2

Mourning Dove-------------------------8

Sage Sparrow --------------------------7

Sage Thrasher -------------------------3

Western Meadow Lark ---------------3

Species-6, total birds-38

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------2

Common nighthawk ------------------2

Common Raven -----------------------2

Mourning Dove-------------------------4

Western Meadow Lark ---------------3

Species-5; total birds-13

3 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Barn Swallow ---------------------------4

Blue-winged Teal----------------------3

Brewer’s Blackbird --------------------8

Brewer’s Sparrow ------------------- 21

Common Raven -----------------------3

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------2

Mallard -----------------------------------2

Mourning Dove-------------------------2

Sage Thrasher ----------------------- 12

Western Meadow Lark ---------------7

Willet --------------------------------------2

Species-11; total birds-66

Greasewood

Barn Swallow ---------------------------1

Brewer’s Blackbird --------------------4

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------5

Horned Lark ----------------------------2

Western Meadow Lark ---------------4

Willet --------------------------------------1

Species-6; total birds-17

Table 3—Bird counts within big sagebrush and greasewood stands on a per date basis. Common and scientific names of birds after

Alsop (2001).

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 13

4 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------6

Common Nighthawk ------------------1

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark ----------------------------1

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------3

Mourning Dover -----------------------3

Northern Harrier -----------------------1

Sage Sparrow --------------------------4

Western Meadow Lark ---------------8

Species-9; total birds-28

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------3

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark ----------------------------9

Long-billed Curlew --------------------2

Species-4; total birds-15

7 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Blackbird --------------------2

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------6

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark ----------------------------1

Lark Sparrow ------------------------- 16

Mourning Dove-------------------------2

Northern Harrier -----------------------1

Spotted Towhee -----------------------2

Western Meadow Lark ---------------9

Species-9; total birds-40

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------3

Lark Sparrow ---------------------------3

Loggerhead Shrike -------------------1

Western Meadow Lark ---------------9

Species-4; total birds-16

8 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Sparrow ------------------- 18

California Gull --------- 3 (large flock)

Common Raven -----------------------1

Horned Lark ----------------------------2

Lark Sparrow ------------------------- 17

Long-billed Curlew --------------------3

Mourning Dove-------------------------4

Sage Thrasher -------------------------4

Turkey Vulture -------------------------1

Western Meadow Lark ------------- 12

Species-10; total birds-65

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------8

Common nighthawk ------------------2

Horned Lark -------------------------- 15

Western Meadow Lark ------------- 11

Species-4; total birds-36

09 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Blackbird --------------------1

Brewer’s Sparrow ------------------- 24

Chipping Sparrow ---------------------4

Golden Eagle ---------------------------1

Copper Hawk ---------------------------1

Mourning Dove----------------------- 17

Sage Sparrow --------------------------9

Western Meadow Lark ---------------5

Species-8; total birds-62

Greasewood

Brewer’s Blackbird ------------------ 13

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------4

Horned Lark ----------------------------3

Mourning Dove-------------------------6

Northern Harrier -----------------------1

Western Meadow Lark ---------------6

Species-6; total birds-33

14 June 2004

Big sagebrush

Brewer’s Sparrow ------------------- 38

Common Nighthawk ------------------2

Horned Lark ----------------------------2

Mourning Dove-------------------------2

Northern Harrier -----------------------1

Sage Sparrow --------------------------6

Sage Thrasher -------------------------8

Vesper Sparrow -----------------------3

Species-8; total birds-62

Greasewood

Brewer’s Sparrow ---------------------2

Mourning Dove-------------------------2

Western Meadow Lark ---------------4

Species-3; total birds-8

Table 3 (Con.)
14 USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005

Table 4—Data sets used to conduct comparative statistical analyses between

bird counts for big sagebrush and greasewood stands.

Comparisons were for total number of birds, number of bird

species, and for specific species–Brewer’s sparrows, horned

larks, lark sparrows, mourning doves, and western meadow larks.

Data sets are paired per date. n = 10. Each date pair consists of

one big sagebrush and one greasewood stand. Common and

scientific names of birds after Alsop (2001).

Date Big sagebrush Greasewood

Total number of birds

24 May 04 18 6

25 May 04 42 23

01 June 04 39 12

02 June 04 38 13

03 June04 66 17

04 June 04 28 15

07 June 04 40 16

08 June 04 65 36

09 June 04 62 33

14 June 04 62 8

Means 46.0a 17.9

Number of bird species

24 May 04 9 3

25 May 04 11 4

01 June 04 9 5

02 June 04 6 5

03 June 04 11 6

04 June 04 9 4

07 June 04 9 4

08 June 04 10 4

09 June 04 8 6

14 June 04 8 3

Means 9.0a 4.4

Number of Brewer’s Sparrow

24 May 04 6 2

25 May 04 7 8

01 June 04 6 4

02 June 04 15 2

03 June 04 21 5

04 June 04 6 3

07 June 04 6 3

08 June 04 18 8

09 June 04 24 4

14 June 04 38 2

Means 14.7a 4.1

Number of horned larks

24 May 04 3 3

25 May 04 0 11

01 June 04 0 0

02 June 04 2 0

(con.)
USDA Forest Service Research Note RMRS-RN-28. 2005 15

03 June 04 0 2

04 June 04 1 9

07 June 04 1 0

08 June 04 2 15

09 June 04 0 3

14 June 04 2 0

Means 1.1 4.3

Number of lark sparrows

24 May 04 2 0

25 May 04 3 0

01 June 04 7 3

02 June 04 0 0

03 June 04 2 0

04 June 04 3 0

07 June 04 16 3

08 June 04 17 0

09 June 04 0 0

14 June 04 0 0

Means 5.0a 0.6

Number of mourning doves

24 May 04 0 0

25 May 04 6 0

01 June 04 4 3

02 June 04 8 4

03 June 04 2 0

04 June 04 3 0

07 June 04 2 0

08 June 04 4 0

09 June 04 17 6

14 June 04 2 2

Means 4.8a 1.5

Number of western meadow larks

24 May 04 1 0

25 May 04 3 3

01 June 04 6 1

02 June 04 3 3

03 June 04 7 4

04 June 04 8 0

07 June 04 9 9

08 June 04 12 11

09 June 04 5 6

14 June 04 0 4

Means 5.4 4.1

a Significantly greater at the 5 percent level; determined by paired t-tests, Wilcoxon

matched pairs test (Hintze 1992), and multiresponse permutation procedure for one-way

layouts (Mielke and Berry 2001).

Table 4 (Con.)

Date Big sagebrush Greasewood
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its

programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,

age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not

all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require

alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,

audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice

and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,

Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,

DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal

opportunity provider and employer.

The Rocky Mountain Research Station develops scientific information and technology to improve management, protection, and use of

the forests and rangelands. Research is designed to meet the needs

of National Forest managers, Federal and State agencies, public and

private organizations, academic institutions, industry, and individuals.

Studies accelerate solutions to problems involving ecosystems,

range, forests, water, recreation, fire, resource inventory, land reclamation, community sustainability, forest engineering technology,

multiple use economics, wildlife and fish habitat, and forest insects

and diseases. Studies are conducted cooperatively, and applications

may be found worldwide.

Research Locations

Flagstaff, Arizona Reno, Nevada

Fort Collins, Colorado* Albuquerque, New Mexico

Boise, Idaho Rapid City, South Dakota

Moscow, Idaho Logan, Utah

Bozeman, Montana Ogden, Utah

Missoula, Montana Provo, Utah

*Station Headquarters, Natural Resources Research Center,

2150 Centre Avenue, Building A, Fort Collins, CO 80526

RMRS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION