Search USGS⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search USGS

Results for “The Journal of Wildlife Management”

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 973 records · Page 54Linked to original sources
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↗
USGS1974

Homing to nest baskets by wild female mallards

A high rate of homing to nest baskets by adult female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) was observed in prairie potholes of North Dakota. One hundred and thirteen female mallards were caught on nest baskets, banded, and marked with nasal saddles. Forty-six percent homed at least once to nest baskets in the marshes where they were previously captured. Two-thirds of the returnees were observed in the same baskets where they had been caught. The observed rate of homing by previously successful nesters (52 percent) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than by unsuccessful nesters (16 percent). Nesting success was 83 percent in the year of marking and 90 percent in subsequent years. Seven (5 percent) of an estimated 140 marked female 1-day-old ducklings that hatched in nest baskets were recaptured as nesting adults in baskets. Five of these hens returned to their natal marshes, and two others were found within 2 km of their natal marshes. Band recovery data indicated that 91 percent of the hunting mortality occurred within 10 km of the banding locations. Information on estimated rate of annual survival and the observed rate of homing suggests that nearly all surviving marked adults returned to within 10 km of the marshes where they were banded.

North Dakota↗
USGS1977

Dieldrin mortality of lesser snow geese in Missouri

In March and April 1974, 157 lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens) died from dieldrin poisoning during northward migration through western Missouri. Evidence strongly suggested that the mortality in Missouri resulted from delayed effects upon geese exposed to aldrin-treated rice seed on wintering areas in southeast Texas.

Missouri↗
USGS1977

Fall migration of woodcock at Cape May, New Jersey

From 1968 to 1973, 2,337 American woodcock ( Philohela minor ) were banded during late fall on the Cape May Peninsula of southern New Jersey. Direct recovery rates averaged 3.6 percent for hatching-year birds and 1.7 percent for adults. Distribution of recoveries indicated that Cape May migrants wintered on the coastal plain of Virginia and North Carolina. Indirect recoveries showed that Peninsula woodcock originated from as far north as New England and eastern Canada. The percentage of woodcock seen which were caught by night-lighting averaged 2.5 times greater from a truck than on foot. Age-sex structure of ban dings was similar each year with the overall composition as follows: immaturemales, 57 percent; immature females, 28 percent; adult males, 10 percent; and adult females, 5 percent. Compared to the continental population, there was an unusually high proportion of immature woodcock at Cape May during late fall.

New Jersey↗
USGS1973

Eggshell breakage by incubating black ducks fed DDE

Black duck ( Anas rubripes ) hens fed 10 ppm dry weight (approximately 3 ppm wet weight) of p,p'-DDE in the diet laid eggs with shells 22 percent thinner at the equator, 30 percent thinner at the cap, and 33 percent thinner at the apex than those of controls. Natural incubation increased shell cracking more than fourfold as compared with mechanical incubation. Hens removed cracked eggs from nests, and one hen terminated incubation. Hens fed DDE produced one-fifth as many ducklings as controls. DDE in eggs of dosed hens averaged 64.9 ppm wet weight.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗