Roost preference

Michael Gochfeld gochfeld at eohsi.rutgers.edu
Mon Sep 21 07:02:04 EDT 1998


A long time ago in Narrowmine, NSW, Australia, I made the observation 
that European Starling (an exotic) showed a strong preference for palms 
(exotics) over deciduous trees for their nightly roost.  When I lived in 
California, I checked quite a few Starling roosts, and there to they 
seemed to prefer palms (exotic palms) over other species (here in NJ we 
have no palms, and Starlings prefer buildings and bridges (also 
exotics).  I presumed that the palms offered better microclimate 
(tighter canopy) and that there was a thermoregulatory basis for the 
preference.  

Is there some reason other than 'nothing else available' that would make 
Eucalypts attractive for Monarch roosts.  Are they taller (less 
accessible), different branch structure (easier roosting), repellent of 
predators, etc???

Mike Gochfeld


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