Body Condition Index of Birds Across Two Sites in Northern West Virginia

Nicholas S. Summerlin*, Christopher Rota, Hannah Clipp, and Stephanie Augustine

Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505

Presentation Category: Agricultural & Environmental Sciences (Poster Presentation #67)

Student’s Major: Wildlife and Fisheries Resources/Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources

For this study, we wanted to find the differences of body conditions of birds across urban and non-urban environments. Some differences in these environments include food resources, predators, and soundscapes, and this lead us to believe that due to these differences, the Body Condition Index (BCI) across the environments would be significantly different. Through the use of mist nets, we captured and measured a multitude of species of birds. We captured at two locations, Prickett’s Fort State Park in Marion County, WV, (non-urban environment) as well as the Core Arboretum in Morgantown, WV (urban environment). With each capture of these species, we recorded data about their wings, tails, tarsus length, weight, sex, and age. There were 4 species we collected enough data for: Black-capped Chickadee (BCCH), Northern Cardinal (NOCA), Song Sparrow (SOSP), and Tufted Titmouse (TUTI). Using regressions of tarsus length and weight, we calculated the residuals, which equated to the BCI. After finding the BCI of each individual bird, we were then able to compare the data across the urban and non-urban site. Based on the data we collected, we were only able to find comparisons amongst the sites for BCCH and SOSP. For BCCH, the greater BCIs were found at the urban site, and for SOSP, the greater BCIs were found at the non-urban site. This could mean that BCI at a specific site is totally dependent on the species, but more data will need to be collected in the future to determine a correlation.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course