by John C. Kricher and William E. Davis, Jr

Abstract

The rapid destruction of Central and South American forests is causing concern over the potential impact of deforestation on North American migrant birds that winter in these areas (see Rappole and Morton 1985, and Terborgh 1980, for discussion and references). At least 49 of these migrant species, which spend a majority of the year in the tropics, demonstrate winter-site fidelity (McNeil 1982, see Loftin 1977 for summary of species), and thus may be particularly sensitive to habitat destruction. Studies of winter-site fidelity in the Neotropics to date have been widely dispersed geographically and most have not compared results between sites which have been subjected to differing degrees of human disturbance. We report returns from wintering North American migrants banded at three study sites in Belize, Central America, each of which has been subjected to different degrees of human disturbance.

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Keywords: birds, migrating, winter-site fidelity

Suggested APA Reference: Kricher, J. C., & Davis, W. E. (1986). Returns and winter-site fidelity of North American migrants banded in Belize, Central America. Journal of Field Ornithology, 57(1), 48-52.