BEHAVIOR AND HABITAT USE BY SHOREBIRDS IN AN URBAN WETLAND COMPLEX ALONG THE CENTRAL GULF COAST OF TEXAS

摘要

Shorebirds (Charadrii) spend the majority (ca. 70%) of their lifecycle it, wintering and migratory staging areas located on temperature and tropical coastlines; therefore, the implications of habitat loss and destruction require assessment of both marginal and prime habitats ill coastal areas, In this study, behavior Was used to determine use of habitat within an urban wetland complex located oil the Texas coast. Instantaneous scans were used to determine behavior of shorebirds in five habitat types: bayshore, tidal and isolated ponds, estuarine lakeshore, and it salt. marsh. Behavior of 22 species of shorebirds representing six guilds was documented. Of the shorebirds observed, 90% were foraging and significantly more were foraging than were engaged ill other activities. Foraging occurred significantly more ill tidal ponds than ill the four other habitats and foraging was greatest. ill spring. Behavioral, observations provided important insight into function of habitat., underscoring the need to incorporate behavioral studies into strategies to monitor shorebirds.