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At least 1,243 records · Page 69Linked to original sources
USGS1983

Effects of heptachlor on American kestrels in the Columbia Basin, Oregon

Wheat seeds treated with heptachlor to control wireworms (Ctenicara pruinina) resulted in American kestrels (Falco sparverius) in the Columbia Basin accumulating residues of heptachlor epoxide (HE) that reduced productivity and caused some adult mortality. The kestrel is more sensitive to HE residues in eggs than the Canada goose (Branta canadensis moffitti), i.e., reduced productivity occurs at > 1.5 ppm in kestrel eggs vs. > 10 ppm in Canada goose eggs. Neither kestrel eggshells nor Canada goose eggshells were thinned by HE. The reduced use of heptachlor in 1979, because of a partial ban, resulted in an immediate lowering of HE concentrations in kestrel eggs the following year.

Oregon↗
USGS1983

Response of American black ducks to dietary uranium: A proposed substitute for lead shot

Lead (Pb) shot has been associated with mortality in waterfowl (Trainer and Hunt 1965, Anderson 1975, Stout and Cornwell 1976) and other avian species (Benson et al. 1974, Kaiser et al. 1980, Pattee et al. 1981). Bellrose (1959) indicated that between 2 and 3% of waterfowl populations may be lost yearly to lead poisoning. Incidence of lead shot in waterfowl and estimates of mortality from lead poisoning have decreased slightly (Trost 1980) or not at all (Longcore et al 1982) in local areas since 1976, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated certain wetland areas in 32 states as steel shot zones. Studies in specific areas do not give a complete national picture, but do point to remaining problems. Steel shotshells are more expensive than Pb shotshells when purchased in a retail outlet; they cannot be used in all guns and have not been well received by some hunters who question their performance on ducks and geese (Humburg et al 1982).

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1982

Behavioral interactions of penned red and arctic foxes

Expansion of the geographical distribution of red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) into the far north tundra region may lead to competition between arctic ( Alopex lagopus ) and red foxes for space and resources. Behavioral interactions between red and arctic foxes were evaluated during 9 trials conducted in a 4.05-ha enclosure near Woodworth, North Dakota. Each trial consisted of introducing a male-female pair of arctic foxes into the enclosure and allowing them to acclimate for approximately a week before releasing a female red fox into the enclosure, followed by her mate a few days later. In 8 of 9 trials, red foxes were dominant over arctic foxes during encounters. Activity of the arctic foxes decreased upon addition of red foxes. Arctic foxes tried unsuccessfully to defend preferred den, resting, and feeding areas. Even though the outcome of competition between red and arctic foxes in the Arctic is uncertain, the more aggressive red fox can dominate arctic foxes in direct competition for den sites and other limited resources.

North Dakota↗
USGS1982

Age-class determination of canvasbacks

A technique was developed to distinguish yearling from adult canvasbacks ( Aythya valisineria ) in the field during spring on the basis of white flecking on the distal ends of selected wing feathers. Covert feathers from adults had well-defined vermiculation patterns whereas feathers from yearlings lacked such markings. These age-related characters were confirmed by paired comparisons of feathers from the same captive birds in consecutive years and by discriminant analysis of feathers using densitometric measurements from known-age wild birds. Reflective densitometric measurements of greater secondary coverts for females and males were significantly different between 1- and 2-year-old and between 2- and 3-year-old canvasbacks. Greater secondary coverts were the best feathers for recognizing age-classes of males and females. Densitometric values indicate low variability among different observers and within samples.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1982

Additional comments on the assumption of homogeneous survival rates in modern bird banding estimation models

We examined the problem of heterogeneous survival and recovery rates in bird banding estimation models. We suggest that positively correlated subgroup survival and recovery probabilities may result from winter banding operations and that this situation will produce positively biased survival rate estimates. The magnitude of the survival estimate bias depends on the proportion of the population in each subgroup. Power of the suggested goodness-of-fit test to reject the inappropriate model for heterogeneous data sets was low for all situations examined and was poorest for positively related subgroup survival and recovery rates. Despite the magnitude of some of the biases reported and the relative inability to detect heterogeneity, we suggest that levels of heterogeneity normally encountered in real data sets will produce relatively small biases of average survival rates.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1979

Robust estimation from line transect data

Line transect sampling often provides a practical way to approach estimation of wildlife population density (Seber 1973, Eberhardt 1978). Burnham and Anderson (1976) provided a general framework for the estimation of animal density from line transect data, and many specific analytical methods have been proposed in the literature. Numerous persons are researching methods of statistical analysis for line transect data; however, little consideration has been given to specifying criteria for "good" methods of line transect estimation. We present here some criteria which we believe line transect estimators should satisfy. We do not deal with the case where objects may move from their initial location before being detected.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1980

Wildlife hazards from Furadan 3G applications to rice in Texas

Mortality of birds, fish, frogs, crayfish, earthworms, and nontarget insects occurred in rice fields after treatments of Furadan 3G granules in 3 Texas counties in 1970 and 1973-75. Three western sandpipers ( Ereunetes mauri ), 1 pectoral sandpiper ( Erolia melanotos ), and 2 red-winged blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) were found dead or moribund between 17 and 24 hours after treatment. Cricket frogs ( Acris crepitans blanchardi ) were intoxicated 15 minutes post-treatment, and mosquito fish ( Gambusia affinis ) showed effects 1 hour post-treatment. Mortality of mosquito fish, Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus), and European carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) usually occurred between 24 and 28 hours after treatment. Mortality of frogs, crayfish, and nontarget insects generally occurred in rice field water between 1 and 45 hours after treatment. Mortality of earthworms in soil persisted for 52 hours. As a replacement for aldrin in Texas rice fields, Furadan 3G appeared to cause less mortality of birds than aldrin, but Furadan 3G was toxic to birds, fish, and invertebrates.

Texas↗
USGS1982

Breeding-ground habitat conditions and the survival of mallards

The relationship between habitat conditions in prairie breeding areas of North America and mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) survival rates was investigated. Annual survival-rate estimates for mallards generally were higher during years of high May pond numbers and low mallards-per-pond ratios than during years of low pond numbers and high ratios. This tendency was most pronounced among males. These results suggest that mallard survival probabilities may be affected by breeding-ground habitat conditions.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS1984

Current impact of DDE on black-crowned night-herons in the intermountain west

Organochlorine contamination was studied in eight black-crowned night-heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) populations nesting in Washington, Oregon, and Nevada in 1978-80. DDE was detected in 220 eggs sampled; eggshell thickness was negatively correlated with residues of DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). Other contaminants were detected in 35% or fewer of the eggs. Except for the two Columbia River colonies in which local DDE contamination was a probable compounding factor, a strong north-south clinal pattern of DDE residues among colonies existed. Southern colonies were most contaminated, and observed productivity was below population maintenance in one colony (Ruby Lake). At DDE levels in eggs above 8 ppm, clutch size and productivity decreased, and the incidence of cracked eggs increased. No evidence of breeding-ground DDE-DDT contamination was found except along the Columbia River.

Nevada, Oregon, Washington↗