Overwintering ecology of the Black-and-White Warbler in a Puerto Rican dry forest [abstract]

Abstract

I studied the wintering ecology of the Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) in a dry forest of Puerto Rico. I analyzed mist netting data collected from 4 January-15 February during 1989-2006. These data will be examined to learn how Black-and-white Warblers select wintering habitat, how site faithful they are, and how habitat heterogeneity affects their choices in selecting or returning to wintering habitats each year. Capture/recapture rates will be examined using chi-square contingency table analyses. Questions to be addressed include: Is there evidence of habitat heterogeneity (i.e., are there habitat hotspots)? Do these areas have higher return rates than others? How much spatial consistency is there in recaptures? These questions will help determine how site faithful Black-and-white Warblers are, both on a local and regional scale. Vegetation data also well be examined to identify habitat attributes associated with high quality (i.e., high use) areas.