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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