Gougen and Mathews looked at the effects of cowbird parasitism on plumbeous vireos as it compared to distance from forest edge and active livestock grazing sites. Cowbird abundance was negatively related to distance from livestock grazing, while host abundance showed no sign of relation with grazing or forest edge. Overall, parasitism was positively correlated with cowbird abundance. Gougen and Mathews were not sure how to explain the high nest success of vireos in that habitat and urged for more research to understand the outcome of their project.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.