WINTER SURVIVAL RATES OF A SOUTHERN-POPULATION OF BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES

Using the Jolly-Seber method of capture and reobservation, we estimate d monthly winter (1989-1990, 1990-1998) survival rates of 321 color-ma rked Black-capped Chickadees (Pants atricapillus) and compared surviva l rates among three habitat types in central Pennsylvania: suburban ha bitat, forest habitat with supplemental food, and forest habitat witho ut supplemental food. Chickadee survival rates differed (P = 0.018) am ong habitats. Monthly winter survival rates (($) over bar x +/- SE) fo r chickadees in the forest habitat without supplemental food (0.81 +/- 0.05) differed from both the forest habitat with supplemental food(0. 93 +/- 0.02) and the suburban habitat with supplemental food (0.94 +/- 0.02). Survival rates of chickadees did not differ (P > 0.25) between the two habitat types where supplemental food was available. The diff erence in survival rates between chickadees with and without access to supplemental food was greatest in October and March, months when disp ersal of chickadees may occur, suggesting that feeders were influencin g movements of chickadees (survival on the study site) rather than act ual survival.