The Effect of Forest Mid-Story Reduction on Breeding Bird Populations in Montane Longleaf Pine Stands of the Talladega National Forest, Alabama (Technical Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT The effect of mid-story reduction in a montane longleaf pine forest on bird species richness and habitat characteristics was examined on the Shoal Creek Ranger District, Talladega National Forest. Sites in which the mid-story had been removed mechanically or by fire (treated) and sites with a dense mid-story remaining (untreated) were compared. Bird species such as the American robin (Turdus migratorius), Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), and Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were detected only in treated stands, while Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), and yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons) were detected only in untreated stands. The remaining species were found in both management types. The habitat characteristics most strongly related to the management regimes and thus to the breeding bird assemblages were hardwood basal area and the midstory density at 7.5 m above the ground. Changes in vertical structure did influence the assemblages of breeding birds. The influence of mid-story removal should be considered when making management decisions