During hunting seasons from 1959 to 1962, age and sex determined from 45,444 wings were used to measure annual productivity of woodcocks ( Philohela minor ). Age of birds was determined by pattern and color of secondaries and by wear on primaries. Sex was determined by width and length of primaries. Overall age ratios, weighted by kill estimates, were the same each year and indicated no change in annual productivity. Immature sex ratios in the combined kill were nearly even each year, but kill of adult females was much larger than kill of adult males. The difference in sex ratios between immatures and adults thus suggests higher mortality of males than females after the first hunting season. Since woodcocks are promiscuous, an unbalanced adult sex ratio in favor of females probably does not reduce productivity. There are, however, factors affecting reliability of information deduced from wing collections, and further research is necessary to answer questions on differential vulnerability and mortality rates.

Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mich↗

USGS1964

Woodcock age and sex determination from wings

Age of woodcock ( Philohela minor ) can be accurately determined throughout the year by differences in pattern, color, and wear of secondary feathers. Immature woodcock retain most secondaries during the postjuvenal molt that begins in July or August and ends in October. In contrast, subadults (first-year adults) and older woodcock molt all secondaries during the postnuptial molt beginning in June or July and ending in October. Retention of juvenal secondaries by immatures and molt of these feathers by adults form the basis for age determination. Sex of woodcock can be accurately determined by width of the outer three primaries, which are conspicuously narrower on males.

Louisiana↗

USGS1964

Rigid plastic collars for marking geese

Rigid plastic collars of one to three colors proved useful for recognition of individual Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ). The collars did not seem to affect the behavior of the geese, and there was little mortality caused by their use. In good light, bright colors are visible through a 20-power spotting scope for more than 1 mile. Retention of collars was about 90 percent for 1 year and more than 80 percent for 2 years.

Utah, Wyoming↗

USGS1964