Weather-dependent Foraging Rates of Wintering Woodland Birds

ABsTRCT.--Foragingrates of birds wintering in an Ohio woodlot were dependent on proximate weather conditions.Increased wind velocity and decreased temperature resulted in increased time stationary (s/min), increased number of stops/min, and decreased distance travelled (m/min) for the Downy Woodpecker, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch.Wind velocity effects were heightened as temperature decreased.Analyses of avian community structure based on foraging behavior below the critical thermal environment are now suspect.Future studies of competition in winter must consider the impact of weather.