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{{Unreferenced|date=November 2018}}

The boreal forest or [[taiga]] of the North American continent stretches through a majority of [[Canada]] and most of central [[Alaska]], extending spottily into the beginning of the [[Rocky Mountain]] range in Northern [[Montana]] and into [[New England]] and the [[Adirondack Mountain]]s of [[New York (state)|New York]]. This habitat extends as far north as the tree line (replaced by the High Arctic [[tundra]]) and discontinues in [[mixed deciduous-coniferous forest]]s to the south. The "[[taiga]]", as it is called there, of [[Eurasia]] occupies a similar range on those continents. Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the boreal forest covers 2.3 million square miles, a larger area than the remaining [[Brazil]]ian [[Amazon rain forest]]. Although it is largely forest, the boreal forests include a network of [[lake]]s, [[river]] valleys, [[wetland]]s, [[peat]] lands and semi-open [[tundra]].
The boreal forest or [[taiga]] of the North American continent stretches through a majority of [[Canada]] and most of central [[Alaska]], extending spottily into the beginning of the [[Rocky Mountain]] range in Northern [[Montana]] and into [[New England]] and the [[Adirondack Mountain]]s of [[New York (state)|New York]]. This habitat extends as far north as the tree line (replaced by the High Arctic [[tundra]]) and discontinues in [[mixed deciduous-coniferous forest]]s to the south. The "[[taiga]]", as it is called there, of [[Eurasia]] occupies a similar range on those continents. Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the boreal forest covers 2.3 million square miles, a larger area than the remaining [[Brazil]]ian [[Amazon rain forest]]. Although it is largely forest, the boreal forests include a network of [[lake]]s, [[river]] valleys, [[wetland]]s, [[peat]] lands and semi-open [[tundra]].


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[[File:Podiceps griseigena 1 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg|thumb|200px|[[Red-necked grebe]]]]
[[File:Podiceps griseigena 1 (Marek Szczepanek).jpg|thumb|200px|[[Red-necked grebe]]]]
*[[Surf scoter]], ''Melanitta perspicillata''
*[[Surf scoter]], ''Melanitta perspicillata''<ref>{{cite web |title=Surf Scoter |url=https://abcbirds.org/bird/surf-scoter/ |website=American Bird Conservancy |language=en}}</ref>
*[[White-winged scoter]], ''Melanitta deglandi''
*[[White-winged scoter]], ''Melanitta deglandi''
*[[Black scoter]], ''Melanitta americana''
*[[Black scoter]], ''Melanitta americana''
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*[[Northern hawk owl]], ''Surnia ulula''
*[[Northern hawk owl]], ''Surnia ulula''
*[[Great gray owl]], ''Strix nebulosa''
*[[Great gray owl]], ''Strix nebulosa''
*[[Boreal owl]], ''Aegolius funereus'' <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Koopman |first1=Marni E. |last2=Hayward |first2=Gregory D. |last3=McDonald |first3=David B. |title=High Connectivity and Minimal Genetic Structure Among North American Boreal Owl (Aegolius Funereus) Populations, Regardless of Habitat Matrix |journal=The Auk |date=1 April 2007 |volume=124 |issue=2 |pages=690–704 |doi=10.1093/auk/124.2.690 |url=https://academic.oup.com/auk/article/124/2/690/5562719}}</ref>
*[[Boreal owl]], ''Aegolius funereus''
*[[American three-toed woodpecker]], ''Picoides dorsalis''
*[[American three-toed woodpecker]], ''Picoides dorsalis''
*[[Black-backed woodpecker]], ''Picoides arcticus''
*[[Black-backed woodpecker]], ''Picoides arcticus''
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*[[Alder flycatcher]], ''Empidonax alnorum''
*[[Alder flycatcher]], ''Empidonax alnorum''
*[[Northern shrike]], ''Lanius excubitor''
*[[Northern shrike]], ''Lanius excubitor''
*[[Philadelphia vireo]], ''Vireo philadelphicus''
*[[Philadelphia vireo]], ''Vireo philadelphicus''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Canada jay]], ''Perisoreus canadensis''
*[[Canada jay]], ''Perisoreus canadensis''
*[[Boreal chickadee]], ''Poecile hudsonica''
*[[Boreal chickadee]], ''Poecile hudsonica''
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*[[Gray-cheeked thrush]], ''Catharus minimus''
*[[Gray-cheeked thrush]], ''Catharus minimus''
*[[Bicknell's thrush]], ''Catharus bicknelli''
*[[Bicknell's thrush]], ''Catharus bicknelli''
*[[Swainson's thrush]], ''Catharus ustulatus''
*[[Swainson's thrush]], ''Catharus ustulatus'' <ref name="Condor"/>
*[[Hermit thrush]], ''Catharus guttatus''
*[[Hermit thrush]], ''Catharus guttatus''
[[File:Perisoreus-canadensis-001.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Canada jay]]]]
[[File:Perisoreus-canadensis-001.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Canada jay]]]]
*[[Bohemian waxwing]], ''Bombycilla garrulus''
*[[Bohemian waxwing]], ''Bombycilla garrulus''
*[[Tennessee warbler]], ''Oreothlypis peregrina''
*[[Tennessee warbler]], ''Oreothlypis peregrina''
*[[Magnolia warbler]], ''Setophaga magnolia''<ref name="Avian">{{cite journal |last1=Boukherroub |first1=Sara |last2=Desrochers |first2=André |last3=Tremblay |first3=Junior |title=Nesting phenology of migratory songbirds in an eastern Canadian boreal forest, 1996–2020 |journal=Avian Conservation and Ecology |date=2024 |volume=19 |issue=1 |doi=10.5751/ACE-02565-190102}}</ref>
*[[Magnolia warbler]], ''Setophaga magnolia''
*[[Cape May warbler]], ''Setophaga tigrina''
*[[Cape May warbler]], ''Setophaga tigrina''
*[[Yellow-rumped warbler]], ''Setophaga coronata''
*[[Yellow-rumped warbler]], ''Setophaga coronata''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Kirtland's warbler]], ''Setophaga kirtlandii''
*[[Kirtland's warbler]], ''Setophaga kirtlandii''
*[[Palm warbler]], ''Setophaga palmarum''
*[[Palm warbler]], ''Setophaga palmarum''
*[[Bay-breasted warbler]], ''Setophaga castanea''
*[[Bay-breasted warbler]], ''Setophaga castanea''
*[[Blackpoll warbler]], ''Setophaga striata''
*[[Blackpoll warbler]], ''Setophaga striata''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Northern waterthrush]], ''Parkesia noveboracensis''
*[[Northern waterthrush]], ''Parkesia noveboracensis''
*[[Connecticut warbler]], ''Oporornis agilis''
*[[Connecticut warbler]], ''Oporornis agilis''
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*[[Lincoln's sparrow]], ''Melospiza lincolnii''
*[[Lincoln's sparrow]], ''Melospiza lincolnii''
*[[Swamp sparrow]], ''Melospiza georgiana''
*[[Swamp sparrow]], ''Melospiza georgiana''
*[[White-throated sparrow]], ''Zonotrichia albicollis''
*[[White-throated sparrow]], ''Zonotrichia albicollis''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Dark-eyed junco]], ''Junco hyemalis''
*[[Dark-eyed junco]], ''Junco hyemalis''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Rusty blackbird]], ''Euphagus carolinus''
*[[Rusty blackbird]], ''Euphagus carolinus''
*[[Pine grosbeak]], ''Pinicola enucleator''
*[[Pine grosbeak]], ''Pinicola enucleator''
*[[Red crossbill]], ''Loxia curvirostra''
*[[Red crossbill]], ''Loxia curvirostra''
*[[White-winged crossbill]], ''Loxia leucoptera''
*[[White-winged crossbill]], ''Loxia leucoptera'' <ref name="Condor"/>
*[[Common redpoll]], ''Acanthis flammea''
*[[Common redpoll]], ''Acanthis flammea''


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*[[Black-throated blue warbler]], ''Setophaga caerulescens''
*[[Black-throated blue warbler]], ''Setophaga caerulescens''
*[[Common yellowthroat]], ''Geothlypis trichas''
*[[Common yellowthroat]], ''Geothlypis trichas''
*[[American redstart]], ''Setophaga ruticilla''
*[[American redstart]], ''Setophaga ruticilla''<ref name="Avian"/>
*[[Chipping sparrow]], ''Spizella passerina''<ref name="Condor">{{cite journal |last1=Hobson |first1=Keith A. |last2=Bayne |first2=Erin |title=Breeding Bird Communities in Boreal Forest of Western Canada: Consequences of “Unmixing” the Mixedwoods |journal=The Condor |date=1 November 2000 |volume=102 |issue=4 |pages=759–769 |doi=10.1093/condor/102.4.759 |url=https://academic.oup.com/condor/article/102/4/759/5562922}}</ref>
*[[Chipping sparrow]], ''Spizella passerina''
*[[Nelson's sparrow]], ''Ammodramus nelsoni''
*[[Nelson's sparrow]], ''Ammodramus nelsoni''
*[[Savannah sparrow]], ''Passerculus sandwichensis''
*[[Savannah sparrow]], ''Passerculus sandwichensis''
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*[[Common grackle]], ''Quiscalus quiscula''
*[[Common grackle]], ''Quiscalus quiscula''
*[[Purple finch]] ''Haemorhous purpureus''
*[[Purple finch]] ''Haemorhous purpureus''
*[[Pine siskin]], ''Spinus pinus''
*[[Pine siskin]], ''Spinus pinus'' <ref name="Condor"/>
*[[Hoary redpoll]], ''Acanthis hornemanni''
*[[Hoary redpoll]], ''Acanthis hornemanni''
*[[Evening grosbeak]], ''Hesperiphona vespertina''
*[[Evening grosbeak]], ''Hesperiphona vespertina''
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*[http://www.borealbirds.org Boreal Songbird Initiative]
*[http://www.borealbirds.org Boreal Songbird Initiative]


==References==
{{ref list}}
[[Category:Lists of birds of North America|Boreal forests]]
[[Category:Lists of birds of North America|Boreal forests]]
[[Category:Natural history of North America|Birds]]
[[Category:Natural history of North America|Birds]]

Revision as of 20:54, 30 April 2024

The boreal forest or taiga of the North American continent stretches through a majority of Canada and most of central Alaska, extending spottily into the beginning of the Rocky Mountain range in Northern Montana and into New England and the Adirondack Mountains of New York. This habitat extends as far north as the tree line (replaced by the High Arctic tundra) and discontinues in mixed deciduous-coniferous forests to the south. The "taiga", as it is called there, of Eurasia occupies a similar range on those continents. Throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the boreal forest covers 2.3 million square miles, a larger area than the remaining Brazilian Amazon rain forest. Although it is largely forest, the boreal forests include a network of lakes, river valleys, wetlands, peat lands and semi-open tundra.

Black Spruce boreal forest, Copper River, Alaska.

Only 8% of the Canadian boreal forest is protected and over 30% has already been designated for logging, energy and other development, much of it within the last decade. The U.S. is the leading importer of Canadian wood products as well as oil and gas, having purchased 20 billion dollars (approximately 80% of Canada's timber exports) worth of Canadian forest products in 2001. Presently trees being logged in the Boreal are primarily pulped and turned into disposable products such as toilet tissue, junk mail, and catalogs. Decisions will be made in the next several years regarding the remaining lands and where development will take place.

Historically, this wilderness has long remained vast and little-known to birding and naturalist groups, who have placed their attentions southwards. Although, the wintering grounds of many North American migratory birds also requires attention, now it has become apparent that our attention must be focused north on the Boreal breeding grounds of many of these birds. It is estimated that about 60% of the American bird population found North of the Mexican border nests in the boreal forest. About half of North America's breeding species (over 300) make their home there. The following is a list of the North American birds reliant on the boreal forests.

Birds almost totally dependent on the boreal forests

The following is a list (taxonomically organized) of the breeding species of which at least 70% of their North American population rely upon the boreal forest for nesting. If the boreal forests were cleared, these species would almost surely perish or be endangered.

Red-necked grebe
Greater yellowlegs
Bonaparte's gull
Boreal owl
Canada jay
Cape May warbler

Birds that are very dependent on the boreal forests

These are birds that more than half of the North American populations nest in the boreal forest. Many of these birds need mature forests or isolated, non-populated wetlands that now have been largely cleared outside of the boreal forests.

Hooded merganser
Northern goshawk
Red-necked phalarope
Blackburnian warbler

Birds that are partially dependent on the boreal forests

Although less than half of the following birds' North American populations nest in the boreal forests, a major portion of their species is reliant on this habitat. Many of these birds are more often aquatic and woodland generalist than species more dependent on the taiga.

Mallard
American bittern
Dunlin
Long-eared owl
Red-breasted nuthatch
Varied thrush
Chipping sparrow

Birds that are minimally dependent on boreal forests

These are birds usually at their fringe of their ranges in the boreal forest or that occur less frequently as breeders in the boreal forest because their ideal habitat is not included in the taiga.

Blue-winged teal
American kestrel
Red phalarope
Downy woodpecker
American dipper
Brewer's blackbird

See also

References

  1. ^ "Surf Scoter". American Bird Conservancy.
  2. ^ Koopman, Marni E.; Hayward, Gregory D.; McDonald, David B. (1 April 2007). "High Connectivity and Minimal Genetic Structure Among North American Boreal Owl (Aegolius Funereus) Populations, Regardless of Habitat Matrix". The Auk. 124 (2): 690–704. doi:10.1093/auk/124.2.690.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Boukherroub, Sara; Desrochers, André; Tremblay, Junior (2024). "Nesting phenology of migratory songbirds in an eastern Canadian boreal forest, 1996–2020". Avian Conservation and Ecology. 19 (1). doi:10.5751/ACE-02565-190102.
  4. ^ a b c d Hobson, Keith A.; Bayne, Erin (1 November 2000). "Breeding Bird Communities in Boreal Forest of Western Canada: Consequences of "Unmixing" the Mixedwoods". The Condor. 102 (4): 759–769. doi:10.1093/condor/102.4.759.
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