Hepatic Tanager microhabitat

[Ted Floyd]

Thanks to Duane Nelson for sharing this fascinating observation:

> I learned a lot about the habitat preferences of Hepatic Tanagers at
> the edge of their Colorado Range. They prefer to sing on the top of
> dead snags on steep slopes just below the top of mesas. My
> previous experience told me that there were usually Ponderosa
> Pines around, if only a few, but here, there are none. Pinon Pines
> seem to be necessary in Colorado, but almost all the trees here
> are junipers. However, on the north-facing hillsides here, the
> junipers are shaded, the micro-habitat is wet, and the trees are
> much taller than other junipers lower down the hills.

Duane's observation sure helps put in context something Chip Clouse and I witnessed almost 4 years ago. Right down to the tall junipers on the north-facing canyon walls. (Chip, man, I think it's okay at last to tick Hepatic Tanager for that particular birding trip!) Anyhow:

http://tinyurl.com/7l6lrzz

(Third paragraph down.)

I think it's great when COBirds folks share natural history insights of the sort Duane has shared. Bring it on!

Ted Floyd
tedfl...@hotmail.com
Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado