Selectivity of Range Grass Seeds by Local Birds

Abstract

A study was completed in depleted semiarid Pacific Northwest range to determine types of seeds preferred by local roosting birds. It was found that of the species tested, the two small-seeded species of Sherman big bluegrass and sheep fescue were removed more frequently than the larger-seeded wheatgrasses. The introduced annuals, cheatgrass and medusahead, were least removed of all species tested. Local birds can thus contribute to continued degradation of range communities by their seed diet preferences.