Young second-growth scrub in the evergreen tropical forest in southeast Peru. Second Growth Scrub The second growth scrub habitat is composed of shrubs, grasses, and short stature scrub that grows in areas where the primary habitat has been cut down or eliminated. Second growth scrub is also found in abandoned agricultural land, pastures, empty lots, and […]
Stream and bank running through a forest interior. Photo: Alfredo Begazo Streamsides Streamsides as habitat is defined as the area that borders the running water of a stream. This micro-habitat differs from the previously defined stream habitat where the habitat is the area within the stream. Some bird species are associated only with streamsides. Some
Army ants marching on the forest floor as the flush insect and small vertebrate, which become potential prey for birds that follow the ants. Army Ants Army ants are not a micro-habitat in the traditional sense of the word but represent an essential element for a few bird species that depend on them. A few
Rocky outcrops are used as nesting and roosting sites in regions where these features are scarce. Rocky Outcrops Rocky outcrops, rocky walls, cliffs, and caves in regions where these features of the land are not common constitute a micro-habitat for some species of birds. Often the dependence for rocky outcrops is so important to the
Ground to the canopy view of a treefall gap. Treefalls Treefalls are gaps created by a fallen down tree. Treefalls consists of early successional shrubs and thickets that colonize openings in what was a continuous forest. The sudden availability of light in what previously was forest understory creates an opportunity for first colonizing plant species.
Pelagic waters are the habitat of many birds that come to land only to breed. Pelagic Waters This habitat type constitutes waters offshore in areas past the edge of the continental shelves. These deep oceanic waters provide habitat for pelagic birds that spend most of their lives far from land. Albatrosses and storm petrel are characteristic
Typical bogs formation in the high Andes. Photo: Alfredo Begazo. Bogs Bogs are areas in the high Andes of poorly drained soils that contain water almost constantly, even during long droughts in the regions where they occur. Soils usually contain a layer of organic material called peat. A few Andean birds are strongly associated with
Typical stream on the foothill of the Andes. Streams Streams as habitat include courses of water of fewer than 10 meters in width. This habitat includes the overhanging vegetation found on stream sides, logs, boulders, other features within the portion of running water of a stream. A stream of fewer than 10 meters in width.
Lake Uyuni a permanent alkaline lake in Bolivia. Alkaline Lakes Alkaline lakes are found in the high Andes, Patagonia, and patchily distributed in other regions. Some alkaline lakes contain water permanently while others are ephemeral and contain water for only a few months after each rainy season. Other alkaline lakes only appear in years of
Rocky beach and cliff in Ica-Peru. Coastal Rocky Beaches Coastal rocky beaches are found in areas where the ocean meets rocky formations, cliffs, or rocky outcrops. This habitat type can be extensive areas as well as isolated outcrops surrounded by the more extensive sand beaches. Coastal rocky beaches are constantly washed by the wave action
