Habitat Requirements of the Golden-Cheeked Warbler: Management Implications

Abstract

Characteristics of nesting and wintering habitats of golden-cheeked warblers (Dendroica chrysoparia) were studied from 1973-1978. Golden-cheeks are obligatively dependent on Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) for nesting materials and singing perches, but are equally dependent on scrub-oak (Quercus durandii breviloba) for foraging substrates. Golden-cheeks preferred to forage (73.6% of total observations) in hardwood species. Stepwise discriminant analysis suggested that quality nesting habitat differs from poor nesting habitat by having older (greater than or equal to 40 yrs.) Ashe juniper, lower juniper densities and higher densities of oak (juniper-oak ratio = 1.35 to 1). Structure of scrub-oak (mostly Q. oleoides) in the wintering habitat (La Esperanza, Intibuca Dept., Honduras) was structurally similar to that in the nesting habitat. Golden-cheeks were observed feeding in the shrubby understory.