Tree Species Preference and Inter-specific Difference of Foraging Maneuver, Trees and Location among Four Canopy-dwelling Birds at High-elevation Temperate Deciduous Forest in Mt. Jumbongsan

This study was conducted to reveal tree species preference and inter-specific difference of foraging behavior among four canopy-dwelling birds at forest dominated by Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudosieboldian and Carpinus cordata at 1,000 meters above sea level during breeding season of birds from 1995 to 1997 in Mt. Jumbongsan. Breeding birds were about 25 species and dominant birds were Erithacus cyane, Parus ater and Parus palustris. A relatively high number of bush-nesters can be a characteristic of breeding bird community at study area. Three gleaners (Tits, P. varius, P. palustris and P. ater) selectively preferred the trees irrespective of dominant tree species, whereas bark foragers (Nuthatch, Sitta europaea) utilized the dominant trees. The four birds showed significant inter-specific difference in use of foraging location, but the three tits did not show significant inter-specific difference in use of foraging maneuver and trees. Closely related tits may coexist with each other by inter-specific different use of foraging location determined by foliage structure and leaf arrangement.