Lower order, non-fish-bearing streams, often termed ‘‘headwater streams’’, have received minimal
research effort and protection priority, especially in mesic forests where distinction between riparian
and upland vegetation can be subtle. Though it is generally thought that breeding bird abundance is
higher in riparian zones, little is known about species distributions...
Little is known on the importance of riparian areas to birds near small headwater streams in mesic forests. Progress towards understanding limiting factors that affect bird populations has been difficult because of lack of information beyond the breeding period. I compared bird assemblages between headwater riparian and upland areas throughout...