Urban, Suburban, and Rural Development
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Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove, Chimney Swift, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, American Crow, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, House Wren, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Mockingbird,
European Starling, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, House Finch, House Sparrow |
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In Vermont, rural and suburban development has expanded between the first and second atlases. It often either replaces farmland or fragments forested land, favoring bird species associated with human-made structures (and feeders).
- Eight species exhibited a net decrease; nine species experienced an increase.
- For the species detected in fewer blocks, the kinds of development that have occurred have removed nesting habitat. For example:
- Replacing farms with housing eliminates habitat for Barn Swallow and Killdeer.
- Modern buildings often preclude Chimney Swifts.
- Northern Mockingbird, European Starling and House Sparrow are likely affected by farm abandonment and associated succession of open lands to forest.
- Many species potentially limited by threats to prey insect populations.
- Reasons for net increase of certain species due to range expansion include; increase in number of feeders and climate change.
