|
| Canopy access is essential to understand canopy birds. – Rapid advances in canopy
access techniques in the last decade have greatly improved our understanding of the ecology and behavior
of rainforest canopy birds. However, we still know so little about rainforest canopy birds that the argument
for much more widespread canopy access has to be made. Observations made from a canopy crane
located in the Amazonian rain forest (Surumoni Crane Project, southern Venezuela) are used to illustrate
how canopy access may enhance our understanding of canopy birds. Some species are often portrayed as
species preferring forest edge habitats, but observations from the crane demonstrated that these rather
lethargic and inconspicuous species are more often found in closed canopy than was obvious from
ground-based observations. Likewise, canopy observations may change perceptions of the abundance and
habitat preferences of canopy birds that are essential for assessing their conservation status. Possible territorial
or courtship displays are described as examples of behaviors only visible from above the canopy.
Finally, a marked increase in bird activity and movement was noted at the onset of the rainy season, sug | |
|