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At least 991 records · Page 55Linked to original sources
USGS1973

Mercury residues in pintails breeding in North Dakota

Livers of 42 pintail hens ( Anas acuta ) breeding in eastern North Dakota during the spring and early summer of 1969 and 1970 were analyzed for total mercury by the neutron activation technique. Mercury content on a wet weight basis ranged from 0.055 ppm to 9.512 ppm and averaged 0.888 ± 1.796 ppm (SD). Liver mercury levels of hens collected in early spring (prior to planting of crops) were significantly lower than those of hens taken late in the nesting season ( P < 0.01). Mercury residues among prelaying, laying, and postlaying groups collected following the onset of spring planting did not differ significantly ( P > 0.05). Albumen mercury residue was correlated with liver mercury content (r = 0.756, P < 0.05). Mercury content in livers of five wild juveniles averaged 0.123 ± 0.074 ppm.

North Dakota↗
USGS1973

Analysis of radiotracking data using digitized habitat maps

A method is described that provides a rapid and accurate analysis of habitat used by radio-equipped animals. The digitizer (basically an X-Y plotter in reverse) converts maps into digital form by describing each habitat unit as a polygon that closely approximates the actual shape of the unit. The coordinates of each polygon are then stored on magnetic tape. Habitat classification data and other information are coded and combined with the proper polygon coordinates. This results in one file containing all habitat data. A computer program with inputs of tracking data and habitat data provides a listing of the habitat used by the animals studied. Analysis of habitat used by radio-equipped ducks is demonstrated using this method.

Minnesota↗
USGS1976

A reward band study of mallards to estimate band reporting rates

Reward bands ($10) were placed on 2,122 hatching-year mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ), and an additional 11,490 received conventional bands (controls) to estimate band reporting rates. An analysis of band recoveries indicated that the reporting rate was dependent primarily upon three factors: (1) the distance banded birds were recovered from the banding site, (2) band collecting activities of conservation agencies (usually near banding sites), and ( 3) the intensity of banding effort in the region (frequency of banded birds in the population of the region). Reporting rates were uniformly depressed near the banding sites, but they showed an east-west cline at distances greater than 80 km from the banding sites. The reporting rate was highest in the west. Limited data on historical band reporting rates were compiled. Recommendations are given for adjusting band recoveries to account for the nonreporting of bands for 1957-73.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1976

Duck nesting in fields of undisturbed grass-legume cover

A study of dabbling duck ( Anatinae ) nesting was conducted during 1971-73 on nine 12- to 54-ha Cropland Adjustment Program fields in the prairie pothole region of north-central South Dakota. The tall, dense vegetation was comprised of introduced cool-season grasses and legumes, primarily smooth bromegrass ( Bromus inermis ), intermediate wheatgrass ( Agropyron intermedium ), and alfalfa. Complexes of temporary, seasonal, and semipermanent wetlands surrounded the fields at densities of 1.5-8.1 basins/km2 and areas of 9.4-17.2 ha/km2. Of the 620 nests studied, 38 percent were of blue-winged teal ( Anas discors ), 24 percent were of mallards ( A. platyrhynchos ), and 24 percent were of gadwalls ( A. strepera ). Densities of nests of all species averaged 67, 114, and 47 nests/km2 (3-yr av 77/km2). Calculated hatching rates were 69, 58, and 32 percent (av 56) for the 3 years. Hatchability of eggs in successful nests averaged 97.1 percent. Averages of 4.0, 6.2, and 1.2 ducklings were hatched per hectare in 1971, 1972, and 1973, respectively (3-yr av 3.7/ha).

South Dakota↗
USGS1976

Feeding ecology of breeding gadwalls on saline wetlands

The feeding ecology of breeding gadwalls ( Anas strepera ) from saline wetlands in North Dakota was examined in relation to sex, pair mates, reproductive status, food availability, and wetland type during the spring and summer of 1971 and 1972. Esophagi of males and females contained 40.4 and 48.2 percent animal food, respectively, between 17 April and 25 August. Animal foods consumed by paired females varied with reproductive condition and were independent of their mates. Invertebrates increased from 47.7 i?? 17.4 percent in the diet during prelaying to 72.0 i?? 18.4 percent during laying and declined to 46.3 i?? 30.0 percent during postlaying. Aquatic insects dominated the diet during egg-laying and were selected disproportionately relative to their availability. Esophageal contents indicated that diversity of plant and animal foods in the diet varied inversely with specific conductance. Major factors influencing food selection of the breeding birds are discussed as interactions among their physiological status, their anatomical and behavioral characteristics, and the abundance and behavior of food organisms as influenced by chemical and physical features of the environment. The data suggested that these interrelated ecological factors act simultaneously to control the phenology of events and determine the foods utilized.

North Dakota↗
USGS1976

Methylmercury: Second-year feeding effects on mallard reproduction and duckling behavior

For 2 consecutive years mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) hens were fed a control diet or a diet that contained 0.5 or 3 ppm mercury as methylmercury (about 0.1 and 0.6 ppm mercury on the basis of a natural succulent diet). During the fifth egg-collection period, levels of mercury in eggs of hens fed 0.5 and 3 ppm mercury averaged 0.79 and 5.46 ppm, respectively; on a dry-weight basis, the concentration of mercury in eggs was 4.88 times as great as that in the feed of ducks fed 0.5 ppm mercury and 5.64 times as great for ducks fed 3 ppm mercury. There were no significant differences in egg production or hatching success among controls and groups fed mercury. Ducklings from hens fed 3 ppm mercury were less likely to survive to 1 week of age than were controls or ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury. There were no significant differences in approach behavior among the offspring of controls and groups fed mercury. In avoidance behavior, ducklings whose parents were fed 3 ppm mercury were hyper-responsive compared with controls and ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1976

Some characteristics of fall migration of female woodcock

Nine female woodcock ( Philohela minor ) were radio-tagged in central Pennsylvania before fall migration to monitor premigratory and migratory movements. Within 15 days of departure, 5 of the birds moved 0.8 to 8.0 km from their normally used area, but the remaining 4 did not move. In 1973 five marked woodcock began migration between 30 November and 8 December. In 1974, four birds departed between 18 and 29 November. Departures coincided with high pressure centers approaching from the north and west or low pressure centers retreating to the north and east, or both. Eight of the 9 woodcock departed 2.5 or more hours after sunset and at least 7 left before midnight. Two hatching-year birds were tracked for up to 201 km SSW of the study area during 2 nights. Their air speeds (mean + SD) were 36 + 2 and 45 + 3 km/h.

Pennsylvania↗
USGS1976

Delayed molt of primary feathers of mourning doves during winter

During a study of the ecology of mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ) in Jackson County, southwestern Oklahoma, we noted (Morrison and Lewis 1974) that the post juvenal molt of primary feathers progressed at a slower rate than is described in the literature (Jenkins 1955:23, Swank 1955, Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 1957:102, Allen 1963, Hanson and Kossack 1963:82). This paper documents the existence of delayed molt patterns and discusses the implications.

Oklahoma↗
USGS1975

Disproportionate sex ratios of wolf pups

Males comprised 66 percent of wild wolf ( Canis lupus ) pups from a saturated, high-density wolf range in northeastern Minnesota, possibly reflecting disproportionate conception of males. Packs from areas of lower wolf density in other areas of Minnesota had equal sex ratios of pups or a disproportionate number of female pups. Captive wolves showed a slight preponderance of male pups.

Minnesota↗
USGS1975

Survival of wood duck and mallard broods in north-central Minnesota

Duckling survival in wood duck ( Aix sponsa ) and mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) broods was estimated from data obtained from 71 radio-marked brood hens on a study area in north-central Minnesota. Radio-marked hens produced 30 broods during the study, and 41 hens already leading broods were captured and radio-marked. Production estimates based on brood size counts were inflated by about 38 percent for wood ducks and 30 percent for mallards if total-brood losses were not taken into account. Mortality during the first 2 weeks of life was most severe, accounting for 86 percent of total recorded mortality in wood ducks and 70 percent in mallards. Rearing success was about 41 percent for wood ducks and 44 percent for mallards. Duckling survival was negatively correlated with distance of overland travel by young broods. Wood ducks had a shorter hen-brood bond than mallards and presence of the hen appeared to affect duckling survival less in wood duck broods than in mallards.

Minnesota↗
USGS1975

Habitat use and home range of mallards breeding in Minnesota

Telemetry techniques were used to study habitat use and home range of 12 drake and 12 hen mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) in the forested region of north-central Minnesota during the 1968-72 breeding seasons. Circumneutral bogs and seasonal wetlands were the most frequently used communities; the lakeshore communities most used were sand-gravel, overhanging brush, and bog mat. Based on the availability of habitat, the highest preference shown was for the seasonal community and the least for the softwood swamp; however, all communities were used to some extent during the breeding season. Lakeshore was always among the habitats most frequently used by pairs. Twelve nest were found, nine in nonpermanent wetlands and three in upland forest sites. Mean home range was 210 ha for hens and 240 ha for drakes. The long axis of the home ranges of drakes and hens averaged 2.8 and 2.7 km, respectively. Hens had smaller home ranges during the laying period ( x̄ = 70 ha) than during prenesting ( x̄ = 135 ha).

Minnesota↗
USGS1975

Long-term effects of 4-aminopyridine exposure to birds and fish

The avian frightening agent, 4-aminopyridine (4AP), was tested on five avian and two fish species to assess the effects of long-term 4AP exposure to nontarget vertebrates. Adult bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ), mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ), and ring-necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) were fed diets containing 3 percent 4AP-treated cracked corn diluted with various ratios of untreated corn for 7 to 35 days. Minimum dilution ratios that produced more than 50 percent mortality were 1:29 for bobwhites and 1:99 for doves. Mortality caused by 4AP could not be determined for pheasants because of their inability to subsist only on corn during the test periods. LCso's were determined for doves (316 ppm) and coturnix quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) (479 ppm) fed exclusively on uniformly treated laboratory rations for 28 to 40 days. Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) treated by gavage daily for 25 days with 1.78 mg/kg 4AP showed no intoxication symptoms. Mortality in all avian species appeared to be the result of acute poisoning, and no evidence of cumulative toxicity was noted in species fed uniformly-treated rations. In 96-hour static tests, channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) showed increasing sensitivity to 4AP with time in test waters ranging from very soft to very hard and from 12 to 22 C. The 96-hour LC 50 's for both species ranged from 2.43 to 7.56 mg/liter (ppm). Toxicity appeared to decrease with increasing water temperatures but was generally unaffected by water hardness. On the basis of the data presented, and the currently registered application rate for 4AP in agricultural crops (0.34 g/ha), long-term hazards to nontarget wildlife were judged to be minimal.

Colorado↗
USGS1978

Petroleum: Effects on mallard egg hatchability

Effect on mallard embryos of eggshell applications of varying amounts of No. 2 fuel oil, South Louisiana crude oil, Kuwait crude oil, and a paraffin mixture. Measured survival and hatching weight.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1973

Summer behavior of immature radio-equipped woodcock in central Maine

The behavior of 15 immature American woodcock ( Philohela minor ) was studied in central Maine during the summers of 1969 and 1970 using radiotelemetry. The monitored birds used a variety of nocturnal sites including old fields, bogs, powerlines, highway medians, woods roads, and fore clearings. Old fields were occupied more often than any other type of opening. Second growth-hardwoods, alders, hardwood-conifers, and conifers were utilized as diurnal cover. Diurnal locations of radio-equipped woodcock averaged 15 m from major breaks in the forest canopy. Four birds were monitored continuously during the day and night to determine periods of activity. Although the birds were active throughout the day, very little activity was recorded after they moved to nocturnal sites. No apparent difference was found in the daily patterns of movement between immature male and female woodcock. Crepuscular movements between diurnal covers and nocturnal areas averaged 332 m. A composite summer range for the 15 woodcock during 183 woodcock-days was 1060 hectares. The data suggest that immature woodcock are quite mobile during the summer and utilize most of the forest openings occurring within 1-3 km of good nesting habitat. Most of these openings are also used for singing grounds by males in the spring.

Maine↗