THE EFFECTS OF OIL WELL SITES ON FOREST SPECIES OF BIRDS (DEFORESTATION)

Fifty censuses were taken in 9 transects adjacent to 8 oil well openings. It was found that 2 species, the red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus), and the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilus) were significantly affected in spatial distribution. These forest species had significantly lower numbers near the oil well site than in the forest. Two other forest species suggested the same pattern. The effect of the oil well site reaches well into the forest.;Other possible effects of the oil well sites are competition with edge species and brood parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird. Noisier sites may also affect the bird community within the forest. The low number or absence of other forest species may indicate that there have been adverse effects prior to this study.