Relationships of
Vertebrate Animals
to this Plant:
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Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch) [Betulaceae]
(observations are from Martin et al., Romain et al., Bennetts, DeGraaf, and Lowe)
Birds
Anatidae: Aix sponsa (Wood Duck) [feeds on the seeds] DGr2002, Anas crecca carolinensis (Green-winged Teal) [feeds on the seeds] DGr2002; Corvidae: Cyanocitta cristata (Blue Jay) [feeds on the seeds & uses this tree for protective cover] DGr2002; Emberizidae: Junco hyemalis (Dark-eyed Junco) [feeds on the seeds] DGr2002; Fringillidae: Spinus pinus (Pine Siskin) [feeds on the seeds as a preferred source of food & uses this tree for protective cover] DGr2002, Spinus tristis (American Goldfinch) [feeds on the seeds as a preferred source of food & uses this tree for protective cover] DGr2002; Paridae: Baeolophus bicolor (Tufted Titmouse) [feeds on seeds & uses this tree for protective cover] DGr2002, Poecile atricapillus (Black-capped Chickadee) [feeds on the seeds & uses this tree for protective cover & nesting sites in cavities] DGr2002; Phasianidae: Bonasa umbellus (Ruffed Grouse) [feeds on buds & catkins in Wisconsin & Ontario during fall & winter, feeds on the seeds as a preferred source of food] Bnn1900 DGr2002, Meleagris gallopavo (Wild Turkey) [feeds on the seeds] DGr2002, Phasianus colchicus (Ring-necked Pheasant) [feeds on the seeds] DGr2002; Picidae: Picoides pubescens (Downy Woodpecker) [uses this tree for protective cover & nesting sites in cavities] DGr2002, Sphyrapicus varius (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker) [feeds on the tree sap & uses this tree for protective cover & nesting sites in cavities] DGr2002
Mammals
Cervidae: Alces americanus (American Moose) [foliage & twigs of this tree comprise 10-25% of the diet in Isle Royale of Michigan] MZN1951; Ursidae: Ursus americanus (American Black Bear) [seeds found in scats 17% of the time in Ontario] ROA2013; Vespertilionidae: Myotis lucifugus (Little Brown Bat) [cavities & exfoliating bark of this tree were used as fall roost sites in Nova Scotia] Lw2012