The January 1998 ice storm was very dramatic, particularly in Quebec, with
five days of nearly non-stop freezing rain and temperatures below 0 degrees
C. We compared results of Christmas Bird Counts (complete counts conducted
during one day within a 12-km radius by volunteers in winter) conducted bef
ore (1997-1998) and after (1999) the storm in control areas (16 sites) and
in affected areas (15 sites). Abundance ratios (after/before) were signific
antly higher in control versus affected sites for Rock Dove Columba livia,
Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura, Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus, Blue Ja
y Cyanocitta cristata, Black-Capped Chickadee Parus atricapillus and House
Sparrow Passer domesticus. Paired -t- tests also indicated that the abundan
ce of Brown Creeper Certhia americana and Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubesce
ns was lower in affected sites following the storm. Only European Starling
Sturnus vulgaris abundance increased significantly in affected sites. Speci
es found in open habitats that forage mostly on the ground were less affect
ed by the storm than tree foragers were. The effect of the storm on bird po
pulations was quite significant and increased frequency of such storms coul
d have drastic consequences on bird populations in the long term.