FIRE EFFECTS AND USE
WILDLIFE SPECIES: Dumetella carolinensis | Gray Catbird 



DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : 
There was no information in the literature related to fire-caused
mortality of gray catbirds.  Adult birds probably easily escape fire;
nests and young are vulnerable to fire.


HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : 
In Florida, gray catbirds preferred unburned areas to recently burned
coastal scrub and slash pine (Pinus elliottii) flatwoods.  Gray catbird
density increased with postfire age, from 0.1 per acre (0.25/ha) on
1-year plots to 0.6 per acre (1.5/ha) on 10-year (or older) plots [5].
Also in Florida, a 20-year-old slash pine stand was prescribed burned
with a moderate-severity fire in December, 1967.  Ground cover and dead
grass litter were almost entirely consumed, most shrubs were defoliated
and burned back, and small pines were scorched; the foliage of medium
and large-sized trees was scarcely touched.  In the first 5 postfire
months, there were slightly more gray catbirds in the unburned area than
in the burned area.  Most of the gray catbirds observed in both burned
and unburned areas were within 100 feet (30 m) of the burned/unburned
boundary [8].

In general, fires that result in an increase in shrubby vegetation and
vines will increase available habitat for gray catbirds.  Frequent fire
that reduces the shrub layer will decrease available habitat for gray
catbirds.  Where fire exclusion leads to a decrease in patchiness, edge,
or shrubby vegetation, gray catbird habitat may decline.


FIRE USE : 
In central Pennsylvania management of even-aged aspen stands for ruffed
grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is also suitable for gray catbirds.  Management
for ruffed grouse includes the creation of brushy, edge conditions that
are favored by gray catbirds.  This management often includes the use of
prescribed fire [31].


REFERENCES : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Wildlife Species: Dumetella carolinensis | Gray Catbird