What feature seems to deter the Western Kingbird density in the Pacific Northwest?
Answer
Tall, unbroken canopy typical of dense coniferous forests
While the Western Kingbird is widespread, certain habitat types actively suppress their local density, even within their general western range. Specifically, the tall, continuous, and unbroken canopy characteristic of dense coniferous forests, particularly those found at higher elevations in the Pacific Northwest, appears to deter them. This type of environment obstructs the broad, clear view necessary for their hawking foraging strategy. They require expansive, open spaces to effectively spot and pursue insect prey, making areas dominated by thick, tall forest cover suboptimal habitat compared to scrublands or prairies.
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