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AUTHORS. Clayton D. Delancey, Garrett MacDonald, Claire Nemes, Kamal Islam – Ball State University
ABSTRACT. The Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea), a Neotropical migratory songbird, is listed as state-endangered in Indiana, and a species of concern across its range. This species is declining faster than any other species of wood-warbler in North America. Since 2007, we have been monitoring Cerulean Warbler breeding populations in Yellowwood and Morgan-Monroe state forests in southern Indiana as part of a 100-year project called the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment. This long-term study aims to determine the effects of different forest management techniques on plant and animal communities. Based on previous research, many mature forest-dependent Neotropical migrant fledglings move from mature forest habitat, into areas of thick vegetation such as clear-cuts. We are interested in determining where fledgling Cerulean Warblers disperse after leaving their nests, but before migrating to their wintering grounds. We present results on fledgling movements using radio-telemetry data from three field seasons (2015-2017). By identifying Cerulean Warbler habitats throughout the breeding season (territory establishment, nesting site selection, and fledgling dispersal), we can better inform natural resource personnel on how to manage forests to meet the habitat needs of Cerulean Warblers.
