Effects of Prescribed Burning on Grassland Avifauna at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary

North American grassland habitat has nearly disappeared since European settlement, with much of the remaining habitat severely degraded. As suitable habitat has vanished, many native grassland bird species have experienced pronounced population declines. Despite the widespread use of prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain grassland habitat, little is known about the definitive impacts of frequent burning on grassland bird populations. We examined the impact of prescribed fire on the vegetative structure and bird community at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Missouri. Bird abundance and habitat characteristics were measured at 81 sampling plots, with 35 plots burned 0-1 year prior to sampling, 28 plots burned 2-4 years prior to sampling, and 18 plots burned ≥5 years prior to sampling. Plots burned 2-4 years prior to sampling exhibited the greatest total species richness. Mean species richness, Shannon’s diversity index, and Hill’s diversity index did not differ among burn groups. Ten species had significant indicator values for one of three burn groups and six species had estimated densities that differed based on burn group. Forb coverage, woody vegetation coverage, ground litter coverage, ground litter depth, distance to the nearest water source and distance to nearest edge differed among burn groups. The presence of woody vegetation was associated with high levels of structural heterogeneity within those plots burned 2-4 years prior to sampling. These areas supported species associated with both disturbed and undisturbed habitat.