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At least 829 records · Page 46Linked to original sources
USGS1959

Waterfowl sickness diagnoses in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba

This paper reports the results of an attempt to determine whether botulinus toxin or some other factor was responsible for avian sickness on water bodies in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and at Whitewater Lake, Boissevain, Manitoba, in the summer of 1953.

Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota↗
USGS1966

Proportion of recovered duck bands that are reported

Band-reporting rates (the proportion of duck bands recovered by hunters that are actually reported to the Bird Banding Laboratory) appear to have decreased between the late 1950's and early 1960's. About one-half the banded ducks bagged during the 1958-59 and 1959-60 hunting seasons were reported-a rate similar to those recorded in other studies conducted during the early and mid-1950's. Band-reporting rates were lower for the 1962-63 and 1962-64 hunting seasons; less than one-third of the banded ducks bagged were reported. This decrease in band-reporting rates was concurrent with significant changes in duck hunting regulations, the volume of duck banding, and the method used to relay information to the person who reports a band. Band-reporting rates differed for various species of ducks. In general, band-reporting rates were high on canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria ), redheads ( A. americana ), and pintails ( Anas acuta ) and low for teals ( Anas discors and A. carolinensis ).

contiguous United States↗
USGS1966

Weather and pheasant populations in southwestern North Dakota

High productivity and survival of ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) were correlated with high rainfall and cool temperatures in May and June during an 8-year period in southwestern North Dakota. These findings differed markedly from those of several earlier studies in the less arid midwestern United States where cool, wet weather in the spring generally affected pheasant populations adversely. General trends in the pheasant population could be explained on the basis of precipitation in May and June. The population was relatively high during the mid-1950's when wet and dry May and June periods occurred in alternate years but declined markedly after 2 consecutive years of spring and summer drought. The population remained at a static low during 1960 through 1963 when wet and dry spring and summer periods again occurred alternately.

North Dakota↗
USGS1967

Back-pack unit for capturing waterfowl and upland game by night-lighting

A night-lighting unit, designed as a light weight back-pack, proved successful for capturing waterfowl pairs, pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ), and cottontail rabbits ( Sylvilagus floridanus ) during the spring and summer when most breeding populations are widely dispersed. Eighty ducks of seven species were captured in 48 hours (1.7 ducks per hour) of night-lighting in marsh habitat. Similarly, 30 pheasants were trapped in 25 hours (1.2 birds per hour) and 63 cottontail rabbits were either observed at close range (6-12 ft) or captured during night-lighting operations in upland habitat. Catch per hour of effort increased for all species as their night habitat requirements and reaction to night-lights became known. The mobile unit proved well suited for intensive use on small areas where other methods of capture were unfeasible and where representative coverage of various habitat types was desired. Besides its utility for capturing animals, the unit provided a method for studying nocturnal movements, behavior, and habitat use of marked animals.

South Dakota↗
USGS1967

Aging mourning doves by outer primary wear

Many immature mourning doves ( Zenaidura macroura ) cannot be aged by the conventional white-tipped primary covert method if molt has proceeded beyond the 7th primary. A new method of aging doves in this group is based on the presence (immature) or absence (adult) of a buff-colored fringe on the tips of the 9th and 10th primaries. Experienced biologists were nearly 100 percent accurate in aging wings of 100 known-age doves from eastern and midwestern states. The technique is not as reliable for doves from southwestern United States because of added feather wear, apparently from harsh vegetative and soil conditions.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1965

Development and maturation of primary feathers of redhead ducklings

A comparison of the maturation rates of the primaries of redheads ( Aythya americana ) hatched very early with those hatched very late was made in the 1961 season. Primaries of the early-hatched birds emerged when the birds were 36-38 days old, those of the late-hatched birds when they were 7-10 days younger. This difference was also found in the age at first flight and the age at eventual maturation of all primaries. Primaries of late-hatched birds were significantly shorter in length when mature than were the primaries of early-hatched birds.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1965

Effects of field applications of heptachlor on bobwhite quail and other wild animals

A study of the effects of field applications of heptachlor on bobwhite quail ( Colinus uirginianus ) and other animals was conducted on three similar areas, two in Decatur County, Georgia, and one in Escambia County, Alabama, from February, 1958, to March, 1962. Heptachlor in granules was applied by aircraft on the Georgia areas for eradication of the imported fire ant ( Solenopsis saevissima ). Applications were directed by personnel of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Plant Pest Control Division. The Alabama area remained untreated. Transects where whistling cocks were counted were superimposed on areas where coveys were counted. Size of areas varied from 14,000 to 20,000 acres. Each area had six transects, totaling 11,000 acres. Whistling cock bobwhites and coveys averaged 28 and 20 per 1,000 acres, respectively, the year before treatment on a Georgia area, and cocks and coveys averaged 25 per 1,000 acres for the duration of the study on the untreated Alabama area. Where portions of an area were treated at 2 pounds of heptachlor per acre, whistling cocks and coveys were reduced significantly, with a greater reduction where a greater amount of land was treated on the area or its transects. A decline of cocks and coveys also followed 1/2-pound applications (approaching statistical significance for coveys). Three years after treatment, cock and covey numbers were below those recorded before treatment. Whistling cocks and coveys also declined on adjoining land which remained untreated (significant for cocks, approaching significance for coveys). This decline was attributed to movements of bobwhites from untreated land to repopulate treated land. There is evidence that some loss occurred in bobwhites after they moved from untreated to treated land; the decrease in each instance was ascribed to the application of heptachlor. Songbirds were listed on the two Georgia areas. The first summer, eight more species and 458 more individuals of permanent resident birds were listed on the untreated area than on the treated area. After half of the originally untreated area was treated with heptachlor at 2 pounds per acre the following winter, the number of resident birds declined 37 percent. Some species of summer resident birds could not be found on treated land after heptachlor was applied. A small plot of 4 acres was intensively searched for dead and dying animals, and observations were made on living animals. Forty-seven days after treatment, no live animals were seen or heard on the plot, and a total of 38 dead animals had been found. Soils were sampled twice after treatment, and residues had declined in the second lot of samples. Twice animals also were obtained for analysis, and residues declined in the second group. Numbers of birds increased in the same period.

Alabama, Georgia↗
USGS1965

Adverse effects on birds of Phosphamidon applied to a Montana forest

A field trial of Phosphamidon applied by aircraft in Montana against spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana ) had immediate adverse effects on birds. A 5,000-acre block of forested land was sprayed at the rate of 1 pound per acre. Some birds, including blue grouse ( Dendragapus obscurus ), were killed by the insecticide. Bird activity on the sprayed plot dropped to about one-quarter of the prespray level of activity while it increased on an unsprayed plot. Two sick blue grouse were caught by hand and held in captivity; one died and the other recovered. Analysis of grouse blood samples showed a marked inhibition of cholinesterase activity in the sick birds, followed by return of cholinesterase to normal in the surviving bird.

Montana↗