Search USGS⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search USGS

Results for “Birds”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
USGS2019

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Rates of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism in nests of North American grassland birds

The Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) is an obligate brood parasite that relies entirely on host species to incubate its eggs and rear its young. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a host generalist; eggs of the cowbird have been found in nests of more than 220 species of North American birds. Although cowbirds are not considered a serious threat to their primary avian hosts, cowbird brood parasitism has been recognized as a potential threat to the survival of threatened and endangered species and has been implicated in the declines of other bird species through reduced reproductive output. In this chapter, we summarized the rates of cowbird brood parasitism for 40 grassland bird species. The reported rates of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds varied considerably among and within grassland host species, and the factors that influence parasitism rates were described. Defenses possessed by cowbird hosts in grasslands include aggressively defending their nests against female cowbirds, egg rejection, desertion of parasitized nests, and burying cowbird eggs in the nest lining.

Professional Paper↗
USGS2005

Population trends of North American sea ducks based on Christmas Bird Count and Breeding Bird Survey data

Due to the difficulty of conducting range-wide surveys of either breeding or wintering populations, few data are available to assess the population trends of sea ducks with confidence. We analyze sea duck data from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) using hierarchical modeling methods that control for varying effort among circles and over time. These procedures allow us to assess early-winter relative density patterns among states and Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) while also assessing trends in these regions and across the species North American range. Over the interval 1966-2003, continent-wide declines were observed in 1 of 11 species. Where sufficient data exist, we compare CBC results to estimates of population change derived from the USGS Breeding Bird Survey. The CBC does not effectively sample offshore populations of sea ducks; however, the CBC data can be used to assist in development of species-specific surveys, and CBC data can be used in combination with additional offshore sampling programs to better sample sea duck species.

Book chapter↗
USGS2011

Occupancy and abundance of wintering birds in a dynamic agricultural landscape

Assessing wildlife management action requires monitoring populations, and abundance often is the parameter monitored. Recent methodological advances have enabled estimation of mean abundance within a habitat using presence–absence or count data obtained via repeated visits to a sample of sites. These methods assume populations are closed and intuitively assume habitats within sites change little during a field season. However, many habitats are highly variable over short periods. We developed a variation of existing occupancy and abundance models that allows for extreme spatio‐temporal differences in habitat, and resulting changes in wildlife abundance, among sites and among visits to a site within a field season. We conducted our study in sugarcane habitat within the Everglades Agricultural Area southeast of Lake Okeechobee in south Florida. We counted wintering birds, primarily passerines, within 245 sites usually 5 times at each site during December 2006–March 2007. We estimated occupancy and mean abundance of birds in 6 vegetation states during the sugarcane harvest and allowed these parameters to vary temporally or spatially within a vegetation state. Occupancy and mean abundance of the common yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ) was affected by structure of sugarcane and uncultivated edge vegetation (occupancy = 1.00 [ = 0.96–1.00] and mean abundance = 7.9 [ = 3.2–19.5] in tall sugarcane with tall edge vegetation versus 0.20 [ = 0.04–0.71] and 0.22 [ = 0.04–1.2], respectively, in short sugarcane with short edge vegetation in one half of the study area). Occupancy and mean abundance of palm warblers ( Dendroica palmarum ) were constant (occupancy = 1.00, = 0.69–1.00; mean abundance = 18, = 1–270). Our model may enable wildlife managers to assess rigorously effects of future edge habitat management on avian distribution and abundance within agricultural landscapes during winter or the breeding season. The model may also help wildlife managers make similar management decisions involving other dynamic habitats such as wetlands, prairies, and even forested areas if forest management or fires occur during the field season.

Florida↗
USGS2012

Thiamine deficiency: a viable hypothesis for paralytic syndrome in Baltic birds. Commentary on Sonne et al., 2012. A review of the factors causing paralysis in wild birds: implications for the paralytic syndrome observed in the Baltic Sea. Science of the Total Environment 416:32-39

In a recent assessment of hypotheses presented by Balk et al. (2009) regarding the etiology of a paralytic disease inflicting bird populations in Northern Europe, Sonne et al. (2012) “call for a major coordinated effort on research…” to “… integrate clinical, physiological, ecological and demographic investigations at all levels to better dissect the causes, the effects on ecosystems and potential impact on affected populations.” Further, they offer, “This should be undertaken before thiamine deficiency can be considered to constitute a serious problem to e.g. the Baltic ecosystems.” While we agree that holistic approaches to environmental research and management are essential, our experience suggests that waiting for definitive results from long-term research and monitoring programs prior to “consideration” of thiamine deficiency as a major factor in the paralytic disease observed in wild bird populations would hinder the ability of natural resource managers to understand and mitigate declining trends in avian population abundance.

Science of the Total Environment↗
USGS2012

Selection indicates preference in diverse habitats: A ground-nesting bird ( Charadrius melodus ) using reservoir shoreline

Animals use proximate cues to select resources that maximize individual fitness. When animals have a diverse array of available habitats, those selected could give insights into true habitat preferences. Since the construction of the Garrison Dam on the Missouri River in North Dakota, Lake Sakakawea (SAK) has become an important breeding area for federally threatened piping plovers ( Charadrius melodus ; hereafter plovers). We used conditional logistic regression to examine nest-site selection at fine scales (1, 3, and 10 m) during summers 2006&ndash;2009 by comparing characteristics at 351 nests to those of 668 random sites within nesting territories. Plovers selected sites (1 m 2 ) that were lower than unused random sites, increasing the risk of nest inundation. Plovers selected nest sites that were flat, had little silt, and at least 1 cobble; they also selected for 3-m radius nest areas that were relatively flat and devoid of vegetation and litter. Ninety percent of nests had <38% coverage of silt and <10% slope at the site, and <15% coverage of vegetation or litter and <31% slope within the 3-m radius. Gravel was selected for at nest sites (11% median), but against in the area 10-m from the nest, suggesting plovers select for patches or strips of gravel. Although elevation is rarely evaluated in studies of ground-nesting birds, our results underscore its importance in habitat-selection studies. Relative to where plovers historically nested, habitat at SAK has more diverse topography, substrate composition, vegetation communities, and greater water-level fluctuations. Accordingly, our results provide an example of how habitat-selection results can be interpreted as habitat preferences because they are not influenced by desired habitats being scarce or absent. Further, our results will be useful for directing habitat conservation for plovers and interpreting other habitat-selection studies.

North Dakota↗
USGS2007

[Book review] The sound approach to birding: A guide to understanding bird sound

What is the “Sound Approach”? It is a trio of enthusiastic bird-sound recordists-analysts (Arnoud B. van den Berg, Mark Constantine, and Magnus Robb) who, with friends, traveled to 42 countries in a massive effort to record all the songs and calls of the birds of the Western Palearctic. The recordings in this guide are selected from the 30,000 or so recorded digitally with stereo microphones by the authors since the year 2000.

The Auk↗
USGS2006

Size dimorphism, molt status, and body mass variation of prairie falcons nesting in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

Thirty-nine bald eagles found sick or dead in 13 States during 1969 and 1970 were analyzed for pesticide residues. Residues of DDE, dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), and mercury were detected in all bald eagle carcasses; DDD residues were detected in 38; DDT, heptachlor epoxide, and dichlorobenzophenone (DCBP) were detected less frequently. Six eagles contained possible lethal levels of dieldrin in the brain, and one contained a lethal concentration of DDE (385 ppm) in the brain together with 235 ppm of PCB's. Autopsy revealed that 18 bald eagles were illegally shot; other causes of death were impact injuries, electrocution, emaciation, and infectious diseases.

Journal of Raptor Research↗
USGS1995

Application of brain cholinesterase reactivation to differentiate between organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide exposure in wild birds

Brain cholinesterase activity was measured to evaluate pesticide exposure in wild birds. Thermal reactivation of brain cholinesterase was used to differentiate between carbamate and organophosphorus pesticide exposure. Brain cholinesterase activity was compared with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of stomach contents. Pesticides were identified and confirmed in 86 of 102 incidents of mortality from 29 states within the USA from 1986 through 1991. Thermal reactivation of cholinesterase activity was used to correctly predict carbamates in 22 incidents and organophosphates in 59 incidents. Agreement ( P < 0.001) between predictions based on cholinesterase activities and GC/MS results was significant.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases↗
USGS1989

Monitoring bird populations with Breeding Bird Survey and atlas data

The principal means of monitoring avian species in North America since 1966 is the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Nearly 2000 random roadside rouleS of 50 3-minule stops each are run once each summer by experienced observers. Two-year and 10ng-lerm population trends have been calculated for 250 of the more common species. We show how Breeding Bird Atlas dala for lWO periods of time can also be used to calculale population nends, and we compare atlas neRds with those from the BBS. If coverage is inlensive and consistent belWeen time periods, atlas dala may be useful for monitoring species that are not adequalely sampled by the BBS.

Book chapter↗
USGS1994

Population trends of woodland birds from the North American Breeding Bird Survey

Population trends of woodland birds were summarized from BBS data over 1966-1991, 1966-1979, and 1982-1991. For the entire woodland bird assemblage, increasing species outnumbered decreasing species in all regions except central North America during 1966-1991. However, the proportion of decreasing species increased in most regions during the 19821991 interval. This population trend was most apparent for Neotropical migrants with 15 increasing and 2 decreasing species during 1966-1979 but only 4 increasing and 16 decreasing species during 1980-1991. Short-distance migrants and permanent residents had nearly equal numbers of increasing and decreasing species during both intervals.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS1993

[Book review] Bird trapping and bird banding: A handbook for tapping methods all over the world

This book is a translation of a German edition published in 1978 by Die Neue Brehm-Bucherei, which in turn is a summary of four parts published earlier (1967-1970). Its main title, a direct translation of the German Vogelfang und Vogelberingung is misleading. Only six pages deal with matters one might usually expect in a book with "bird banding" as part of the title. This includes a single paragraph that admonishes against brightly colored clothing, one stating that binoculars are indispensable when checking trapping locations, and a half-page on dangers to the bander such as sinking in marshes and falling from ladders and cliffs. The remaining five pages deal with gathering cages or devices and with handling and releasing birds.

The Auk↗
USGS2008

Combining Breeding Bird Survey and Christmas Bird Count data to evaluate seasonal components of population change in Northern Bobwhite

Annual surveys of wildlife populations provide information about annual rates of change in populations but provide no information about when such changes occur. However, by combining data from 2 annual surveys, conducted in different parts of the year, seasonal components of population change can be estimated. We describe a hierarchical model for simultaneous analysis of 2 continent-scale monitoring programs. The Christmas Bird Count is an early winter survey, whereas the North American Breeding Bird Survey is conducted in June. Combining information from these surveys permits estimation of seasonal population variance components and improves estimation of long-term population trends. The composite analysis also controls for survey-specific sampling effects. We applied the model to estimation of population change in northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Over the interval 1969?2004, bobwhite populations declined, with trend estimate of -3.56% per year (95% CI = [-3.80%, -3.32%]) in the surveyed portion of their range. Our analysis of seasonal population variance components indicated that northern bobwhite populations changed more in the winter and spring portion of the year than in the summer and fall portion of the year.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS2001

Regional patterns in proportion of bird species detected in the North American Breeding Bird Survey

Counts from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) underestimate species richness. We use capture-recapture methods to estimate species richness from BBS count data collected in 1996 and show that detection probabilities demonstrate clear regional patterns. Capture-recapture methods should be used to estimate species richness from count data, and failure to use estimation procedures for species richness could result in biased estimates of spatial change in species richness.

Book chapter↗
USGS1977

Bird population trends detected by the North American breeding bird survey

Continental populations of most bird species have remained quite stable since 1966, but there have been many regional changes associated with migration disasters, breeding failures and range expansions, and a few dramatic increases in populations of introduced species. These changes often are better represented by curvilinear than by linear regressions.

Polish Ecological Studies↗
USGS2012

The early bird gets the shrimp: Confronting assumptions of isotopic equilibrium and homogeneity in a wild bird population

1. Because stable isotope distributions in organic material vary systematically across energy gradients that exist in ecosystems, community and population structures, and in individual physiological systems, isotope values in animal tissues have helped address a broad range of questions in animal ecology. It follows that every tissue sample provides an isotopic profile that can be used to study dietary or movement histories of individual animals. Interpretations of these profiles depend on the assumption that metabolic pools are isotopically well mixed and in equilibrium with dietary resources prior to tissue synthesis, and they extend to the population level by assuming isotope profiles are identically distributed for animals using the same proximal dietary resource. As these assumptions are never fully met, studying structure in the variance of tissue isotope values from wild populations is informative. 2. We studied variation in &delta; 13 C, &delta; 15 N, &delta; 2 H and &delta; 18 O data for feathers from a population of eared grebes (Podiceps nigricollis) that migrate to Great Salt Lake each fall to moult feathers. During this time, they cannot fly and feed almost exclusively on superabundant brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana). The ecological simplicity of this situation minimized the usual spatial and trophic complexities often present in natural studies of feather isotope values. 3. Ranges and variances of isotope values for the feathers were larger than those from previously published studies that report feather isotopic variance, but they were bimodally distributed in all isotope dimensions. Isotope values for proximal dietary resources and local surface water show that some of the feathers we assumed to have been grown locally must have been grown before birds reached isotopic equilibrium with local diet or immediately prior to arrival at Great Salt Lake. 4. Our study provides novel insights about resource use strategies in eared grebes during migration. More generally, it demonstrates the utility of studying variance structures and questioning assumptions implicit in the interpretation of stable isotope data from wild animals.

Utah↗