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At least 901 records · Page 50Linked to original sources
USGS1970

Waterfowl breeding habitat in agricultural and nonagricultural land in Manitoba

Waterfowl populations and habitat characteristics were examined on 33 potholes in each of two 16-square-mile study areas of agricultural and nonagricultural land in southwestern Manitoba. The agricultural land potholes, lacking in or incompletely surrounded by trees, received greater use by lesser scaup ( Aythya affinis ), canvasback ( A. valisineria ), redhead ( A. americana ), coot ( Fulica americana ), and three species of grebes ( Podicipedidae ). The nonagricultural land potholes, completely surrounded by trees, were more attractive to blue-winged teal ( Anas discors ), and mallard ( A. platyrhynchos ), and over twice as many dabbler broods were censused there. Abundant, undisturbed nesting cover may have been the reason for greater dabbler use on the nonagricultural land potholes since chemical and biological properties suggest more fertile conditions in the agricultural land.

Manitoba↗
USGS1970

Correction of bias in belt transect studies of immotile objects

Unless a correction is made, population estimates derived from a sample of belt transects will be biased if a fraction of, the individuals on the sample transects are not counted. An approach, useful for correcting this bias when sampling immotile populations using transects of a fixed width, is presented. The method assumes that a searcher's ability to find objects near the center of the transect is nearly perfect. The method utilizes a mathematical equation, estimated from the data, to represent the searcher's inability to find all objects at increasing distances from the center of the transect. An example of the analysis of data, formation of the equation, and application is presented using waterfowl nesting data collected in Colorado.

Colorado↗
USGS1970

Soil-food chain-pesticide wildlife relationships in aldrin-treated fields

Soil-food-chain-pesticide wildlife relationships were investigated to learn the concentration of pesticide residues present in soils, macro-invertebrates, vertebrates, and seeds as a result of annual applications of aldrin at recommended rates for pest control. Two central Missouri cornfields treated with aldrin at 1 lb/acre, for 16 and 15 of the past 17 years, were selected for study during 1965-67. Primary samples collected for residue analyses included soils, earthworms (Lumbricidae), crickets (Gryllidae), and two kinds of ground beetles (Carabidae) obtained during early April, June, August, and October. Vertebrates and plant seeds collected during 1967 included white-footed mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus ), toads ( Bufo americanus ), snakes ( Thamnophis sirtalis and Pituophis sayi ), corn ( Zea Mays ), foxtail ( Setaria Faberii ), and annual sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ). Pesticide residues consisted primarily of dieldrin, the degradation product of aldrin. Combined aldrin and dieldrin residues, as two field all-season averages, wet weight basis, were: soils, 0.31 ppm; earthworms, 1.49 ppm; crickets, 0.23 ppm; Harpalus ground beetles, 1.10 ppm; Poecilus ground beetles, 9.67 ppm; white-footed mice, 0.98 ppm; toads, 3.53 ppm; garter snakes, 12.35 ppm; and corn, foxtail, and sunflower seeds less than 0.02 ppm each. Unusually high average residues (37.48 ppm) in Poecilus beetles during June, 1967, were attributed to abnormally high soil moisture and predacious feeding habits of these insects.

Missouri↗
USGS1968

Mortality among bobwhites confined to a heptachlor contaminated environment

The lethal effects of heptachlor on bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) were studied at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center during 1962 and 1963. A pair of adult birds was placed in each of 32 wire-covered field pens (20 x 50 x 61/2 ft) in May, 1962, and in 36 additional pens in May, 1963. Heptachlor (technical grade on clay granules) was spread in the pens at rates of1/8, 1/4, 1 1/4 and 2 lb/acre. In 1963 the treated pens were thoroughly soaked with a hose before birds were introduced to avoid the possibility of birds pecking granules. Heptachlor at 1 1/4 and 2 lb/acre caused severe mortality among birds introduced successively during the first 15 days after application. Mortality declined rapidly among birds placed in these same pens thereafter and was undetectable after 45 days. Mortality at 1/4 lb/acre was significant only during the first 15 days of the 1962 test. There was no detectable difference in mortality of the sexes. Water applied to the pens followed by fairly heavy rain did not significantly affect mortality.

Alabama↗
USGS1971

A new stratification of mourning dove call-count routes

The mourning dove ( Zenaidura macroura ) call-count survey is a nationwide audio-census of breeding mourning doves. Recent analyses of the call-count routes have utilized a stratification based upon physiographic regions of the United States. An analysis of 5 years of call-count data, based upon stratification using potential natural vegetation, has demonstrated that this uew stratification results in strata with greater homogeneity than the physiographic strata, provides lower error variance, and hence generates greatet precision in the analysis without an increase in call-count routes. Error variance was reduced approximately 30 percent for the contiguous United States. This indicates that future analysis based upon the new stratification will result in an increased ability to detect significant year-to-year changes.

conterminous United States↗
USGS1969

Aging small Canada geese by neck plumage

The neck plumage method, a new technique for separating immature from adult Canada geese ( Branta canadensis ) in the hand, was evaluated by comparison with the notched tail feather and cloacal examination methods. Two (1.4 percent) of 141 geese examined were misaged, resulting in a 6 percent error in the immature-adult ratio obtained by the neck plumage method. The neck plumage method is a rapid aging method and reasonable accuracy (94 percent) can be obtained. It can also be used to differentiate immatures from adults on the ground at distances up to 175 yards, but was almost impossible to use when geese were in flight. As yet, the neck plumage method has only been tested on the subspecies ( B. c. hutchinsii-parvipes complex) in the Tall-Grass Prairie population of small Canada geese.

South Dakota↗
USGS1971

Disappearance and persistence of aldrin after five annual applications

Investigation was initiated in 1965 to ascertain the disappearance rate of aldrin applied on loam soils at the recommended level of 1.5 lb per acre from 1960 through 1964. There was no further application of pesticides. Sampling began in 1965 and extended into 1970. Data from gas chromatographic analyses of soil and earthworm samples, collected spring and fall, showed that more than 95 percent of the pesticide had disappeared before the study began. There was no significant (P > 0.05) reduction in aldrin plus dieldrin residues throughout 6 years of study. Similarly, residues in earthworms ( Allolobophora caligimosa ) failed to decline during the 6 years. Average combined residues for 11 semi-annual collection periods was 0.11 ppm in soils, 0.61 ppm in earthworms, wet-weight bases. Results showed that high levels of pesticide did not accumulate and remain in the soil as a result of annual applications and that a large part of applied aldrin had disappeared within 1 year. Earthworms contained 4 to 15 times (average 5.6) as much aldrin plus dieldrin as was found in soils.

Missouri↗
USGS1971

Eggshell thickness in mourning dove populations

Eggs ( n = 452) of the mourning dove ( Zenaidura macroura ) were collected from 9 states in 1969 and 11 states in 1970, and shell thickness was compared with that of eggs ( n = 97) collected from 24 states during the years 1861 to 1935. Mean shell thickness did not differ significantly in the test groups.

conterminous United States↗
USGS1973

Influence of radio packs on captive mallards and blue-winged teal

Back-mounted radio packs of three weights were attached to 30 captive mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 30 blue-winged teal (A. discors), and physical condition of the birds was evaluated for 12 weeks. All groups with radio packs lost more weight than did control groups. Feather wear often followed by skin irritation occurred in the axillary region of the wings on 90 percent of the treated birds within 1 week, and on the backs of 55 percent of the treated birds within 4 weeks after the radio packs were attached. The treated birds appeared preoccupied with the radio packs and exhibited a partial aversion to swimming.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1971

Waterfowl nesting on interstate highway right-of-way in North Dakota

We studied 630 acres of roadside along 23 miles of Interstate 94 in Stutsman County, North Dakota, to assess wildlife values of highway rights-of-way. We found 422 duck nests that had an overall success of 57 percent in 1968, 1969, and 1970. Mammalian predators were responsible for 85 percent of the destroyed nests. To test the effect of mowing on duck nest initiation and success, alternate 1-mile blocks of the study area were not mowed in the fall of 1968. In 1969 and 1970, significantly more ducks chose unmowed vegetation in preference to mowed vegetation for nest sites. Mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ), pintails ( A. acuta ), and gadwalls ( A. strepera ) were especially responsive to unmowed vegetation. Success of duck nests in unmowed vegetation was 62 percent compared with 51 percent in mowed vegetation. Sixteen percent of the nests were unhatched by July 5, the beginning mowing date previously recommended by the North Dakota Highway Department. Wildlife killed by traffic did not increase when half the mile blocks were unmowed, and no significant difference was observed in buildup of snow between mowed and unmowed blocks in the winter of 1968-69. Of 182 motorists interviewed in the study area, 82 percent had not noticed the unmowed rights-of-way. We strongly recommend no mowing of ditch bottoms or back slopes, minimal mowing of inslopes, and no mowing before July 20 to enhance waterfowl nesting and to reduce maintenance costs of highway rights-of-way in duck-producing regions.

North Dakota↗
USGS1971

A starling-deterrent wood duck nest box

In many parts of the United States, the starling ( Sturnus vulgaris ) has I become a serious competitor for nest boxes erected for wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ). Research at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Rock Hall, Maryland, demonstrated that horizontal nest structures with semicircular entrance holes 11 inches in diameter were acceptable to nesting wood ducks but discouraged nesting by starlings. Starlings seemed to prefer boxes in open impoundments to those in wooded impoundments, whereas wood ducks seemed to show no preference.

Maryland↗
USGS1971

A device for monitoring radio-marked animals

A simple, portable, and economical recording system consisting of a receiver, signal conditioner, recorder, and power source is described. The system was designed to monitor the signal strength from a radio-marked animal at a particular location. Information is stored on recorder chart paper. Radio-marked ducks have been successfully monitored at nest sites, potholes, and other locations.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1971

Nesting by a yearling Canada goose

A free-flying Canada goose ( Branta canadensis interior ), known to be just under a year old, laid a clutch of four eggs at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. At least half of the 2-year-old females nest at Patuxent, and almost all of the 3-year-olds nest. As far as we know, this is the first record of nesting by a yearling Canada goose.

Maryland↗
USGS1971

Blood parasites of wood ducks

Examination of blood films from wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ) from several northeastern states revealed Haemoproteus , Leucocytozoon , Plasmodium and a typanosome. Haemoproteus occurred in all areas sampled and birds of the year from Massachusetts demonstrated the highest incidence during the last 2 weeks in August. Leucocytozoon was most prevalent in more northern areas. P. circumflexum and a trypanosome are reported for the first time from this host.

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Ve↗
USGS1975

Age determination of female redhead ducks

Eighty-seven fall-collected wings from female redhead ducks ( Aythya americana ) were assigned to the adult or juvenile group based on 'tertial' and 'tertial covert' shape and wear. To obtain spring age-related characters from these fall-collected groupings, we considered parameters of flight feathers retained until after the first breeding season. Parameters measured included: markings on and width of greater secondary coverts, and length, weight, and diameter of primary feathers. The best age categorization was obtained with discriminant analysis based on a combination of the most accurately measured parameters. This analysis, applied to 81 wings with complete measurements, resulted in only 1 being incorrectly aged and 3 placed in a questionable category. Discriminant functions used with covert markings and the three 5th primary parameters were applied to 30 known-age juvenile, hand-reared redhead females, 28 were correctly aged, none was incorrectly aged, and only 2 were placed in the questionable category.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1975

The toxicity of p,p'-DDT to the clapper rail

The LC50 (concentration of toxicant in the diet expected to kill half of the test birds in 5 days) for p,p' -DDT in clapper rails (Rallus longirostris) was found to be 1,612 ppm for males and 1,896 ppm for females. Amounts of DDT + DDD in the brains of birds that died were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those in the brains of survivors. Thirty ppm DDT + DDD approximated the lower limit of these compounds in the brains of rails diagnostic of death from DDT poisoning. Residues in livers and carcasses are reported. Considering the relatively high resistance of the clapper rail to DDT poisoning, we concluded that exposure to this pesticide in marshes is not likely to be a significant factor in mortality of adult rails. Effects other than direct mortality were not evaluated in this study.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1976

White-tailed deer migration and its role in wolf predation

Seventeen white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) were radio-tagged in winter yards and tracked for up to 17 months each (881 locations) from January 1973 through August 1974 in the central Superior National Forest of NE Minnesota following a drastic decline in deer numbers. Ten vyolves ( Canis lupus ) from 7 packs in the same area were radiotracked before and/or during the same period (703 locations). Deer had winter ranges averaging 26.4 ha. Spring migration took place from 26 March to 23 April and was related to loss of snow cover. Deer generally migrated ENE in straight-line distances of 10.0 to 38.0 km to summer ranges. Two fawns did not migrate. Arrival on summer ranges was between 19 April and 18 May, and summer ranges varied from 48.1 to 410.4 ha. Migration back to the same winter yards took place in early December, coincident with snow accumulation and low temperatures. Social grouping appeared strongest during migration and winter yarding. Survival of the radio-tagged deer was studied through 1 May 1975. Four deer were killed by wolves, one was poached, and one drowned. Mean age of the captured deer was 5.4 years and estimated minimum survival after capture was 2.6 years, giving an estimated total minimum survival of 8.0 years. This unusually high survival rate appeared to be related to the fact that both winter and summer ranges of these deer were situated along wolf-pack territory edges rather than in centers. In addition, most summer ranges of the radio-tagged deer were along major waterways where the deer could escape wolves.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1976

Aging immature mourning doves by primary feather molt

This study was undertaken to document the timing of primary feather molt for aging purposes and to examine variability in rate of molt between years and between sexes of immature wild mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ). We used capture records from a 7-year study on the Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North and South Carolina.

North Carolina, South Carolina↗