What specific ecological feature do Willow Flycatchers strongly depend on for breeding habitat?
Answer
Moist, dense shrubs along riparian corridors
The existence of the Willow Flycatcher is intrinsically linked to healthy riparian ecosystems. These birds specifically favor thickets characterized by moisture, such as willow thickets, alder groves, and wet meadows. This preference dictates that their survival is highly dependent on the structural quality of these dense, shrubby habitats, especially in regions like California where habitat loss in these streamside environments poses an immediate threat to the species.

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