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A Statistical Model Of Expansion In A Colony Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, R. P. Cincotta, D. W. Uresk, R. M. Hansen

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

To predict prairie dog establishment in areas adjacent to a colony we sampled: (1) VISIBILITY through the vegetation using a target, (2) POPULATION DENSITY at the colony edge, (3) DISTANCE from the edge to the potential site of settlement, and (4) % FORB COVER. Step-wise regression analysis indicated that establishment of prairie dogs in adjacent prairie was most likely to occur when an area was near a densely populated colony edge with high visibility through the vegetation.

Prairie Dog Control—A Regulatory Viewpoint, Dennis C. Clarke

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Prairie dogs and their control are complex issues. At this conference we've heard numerous speakers discuss a wide variety of topics concerning the organism's effect on range and man's attempts to deal with those effects. It appears one could make a case for or against the prairie dog depending on his own particular situation and experience. While the organism is a natural part of the prairie ecosystem, it may not be a desirable inhabitant of a livestock producers range when its population goes unchecked.

This leads to conflict. The prairie dog becomes a biopolitical issue. On one hand it evolved …

Control Methods For Objectional Roosts Of Purple Martins, Albert E. Bivings Iv

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Multi-thousand bird roosts of Purple Martins (Progne subis) occasionally form in the South during the early summer (June-July). Nightly depositions of fecal material create considerable nuisance and potential health problems. Since they are federally protected migratory birds and have legions of bird-lovers trying to increase their populations, lethal controls are unlikely to be popular or even permitted. Control techniques including plastic netting (partial or complete exclusion), active scaring and modification of building schedules are discussed and evaluated. Plastic netting was observed to be the most successful long-term solution.

Field Study—Steel Versus Lead In Aerial Hunting, Duane Bernstein, David Nelson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The purpose of this study is to get an objective measure of the comparative performance of steel and lead when used in aerial hunting. Comparisons will be made by patterning lead and steel from 35 and 45 yards using improved cylinder and modified shotgun barrels. Tests will be conducted from the ground and air to compare penetration by lead and steel.

Historical And Present Status Of The Black-Footed Ferret, Dean E. Biggins, Max H. Schroeder

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was once widely distributed in the Great Plains and intermountain valleys of North America, its range overlapping the combined ranges of several species of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Most life history information has been obtained from studies of ferrets in southwestern South Dakota (1964-1974) and studies near Meeteetse, Wyoming (1981-present). The ferret's nearly complete dependence on prairie dogs was documented in both study areas. The recent collapse of the Meeteetse population of ferrets due to an outbreak of canine distemper underscores the threat posed by this disease, but reductions of prairie dogs …

Rodent Damage To Various Annual And Perennial Crops Of India And Its Management, Ranjan Advani

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The results of about 12 years' study deals with rodent damage to several annual and perennial crops of India including cereal, vegetable, fruit, plantation and other cash crops. The rodent species composition in order of predominance infesting different crops and cropping patterns percent damages and cost effectiveness of rodent control operations in each crop and status of rodent management by predators are analysed.

Diving Birds Of North America: 5 Comparative Pair-Forming And Copulatory Behaviors, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

All species of loons, grebes, and auks are monogamous, with adults forming strong pair bonds that are established or reestablished each year, probably during the spring prenesting period. The extent of remating by birds mated the previous year in these groups is still largely undocumented, though at least in alcids it is fairly high, given the relatively long life-spans and the tendencies of the birds to return year after year to essentially the same territory and sometimes to the same nest site. Such conditions would promote reestablishment of contracts between previously paired birds, since it is not believed that in …

Diving Birds Of North America: Literature Cited, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

14 pages, with more than 500 references.

Cougar Predation On Livestock In New Mexico, January 1983 Through June 1984, Gary A. Littauer, Ronald J. White

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A telephone survey was conducted in which the objective was to obtain information from the entire population of livestock producers in New Mexico who had losses to cougars (Felis concolor) in 1983 and the first six months of 1984. A total of 103 ranchers reported losses in 1983 and 60 reported losses in the first six months of 1984. Verified (by examination of kills) losses of sheep and lambs to cougars totaled 1,202 in 1983 and 525 in the first half of 1984. Verified losses of cattle and calves totaled 230 in 1983 and 102 in the first half of …

An Overview Of The South Dakota Animal Damage Control Program, Alvin L. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Animal Damage Control in South Dakota is a very comprehensive program. The program's objective is to reduce agricultural loss caused by predators, nuisance animals, rodents, migratory birds and waterfowl. It involves the cooperation of several federal, state and county agencies as well as landowners and In turn requires very close coordination of these various entities in order to successfully achieve our objective. Operational control, extension services, research and educational programs are alI important facets of such a comprehensive program.

Efficacy Of Aluminum Phosphide For Black-Tailed Prairie Dog And Yellow-Faced Pocket Gopher Control, P. Rodger Moline, Stephen Demarais

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The efficacy of aluminum phosphide was tested on a total of 300 active black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) mounds and 68 active yellow-faced pocket gopher (Pappogeomys castanops) tunnels during June-August, 1986 on the southern Great Plains in Lubbock County, Texas. Efficacy of aluminum phosphide was higher than controls (P < 0.001) for both species. Efficacy was higher for black-tailed prairie dogs (94.7 - 96.0%) than for pocket gophers (61.5 - 85.7%). Soil porosity and moisture appeared to influence efficacy for yellow—faced pocket gophers.

Diving Birds Of North America: Frontmatter, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Contents
List of Illustrations and Tables
Preface

Diving Birds Of North America: Species Accounts — Loons (Gaviidae), Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Loons are large diving birds having long, straight, and acutely pointed bills, with feathers covering the lores (region between eye and bill) and extending to the linear nostrils. There are 10 functional primaries and 22–23 secondaries, the inner secondaries shorter than the primaries. Molting of the remiges (flight feathers) is simultaneous, and the wings are not used for underwater propulsion. The 16–20 rectrices (tail feathers) are short and stiff. The body feathers are shiny and water-resistant; aftershafts and adult down feathers are present. The legs are set extremely far back on the body, making standing very difficult and walking or …

Diving Birds Of North America: Species Accounts — Grebes (Podicipedidae), Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds having bills that vary from short and rather blunt tipped to long and acutely pointed, with bare lores and head feathers not extending to the linear or oval nostrils. There are 11 functional primaries and 17–22 secondaries, the inner secondaries longer than the primaries. Molting of the primaries is simultaneous; the wings are not used for underwater propulsion, which is provided by the feet. The rectrices are soft, rudimentary, and hidden. The body feathers are small, water-resistant, and shiny. Aftershafts and adult down feathers are present. The legs are set extremely far back …

A Novel Strategy For Pocket Gopher Control, Michael E.R. Godfrey

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Current techniques for the control of pocket gophers use traps, fumigants or toxic baits. Trapping and fumigation are labor intensive and seldom effective in giving more than short-term relief. Toxic baiting usually uses baits that are rapidly degraded and although the resident gopher may be killed the burrow system is frequently reoccupied very rapidly and little long-term control is achieved. The use of persistent baits that remain toxic and acceptable to the gophers for an extended period may result in more effective long-term control.

Demography And Population Dynamics Of Prairie Dogs, John L. Hoogland, Diane Kay Angell, James G. Daley, Matthew C. Radcliffe

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

For the last 14 years, we have been studying the sociobiology, demography, and population dynamics of blacktailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Our study colony covers 6.6 hectares (16 acres) and has not expanded during the period of research; in late spring of each year the colony contains a mean ± SD of 133 ± 29 adults and yearlings and 81 ± 33 juveniles. We have discovered four surprising aspects of the demography and populations dynamics of prairie dogs. (1) Mortality during the first year is approximately 50% for both sexes. Those males that …

Control Of One Native Animal Species To Benefit Another Native Species, John T. Lokemoen

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This paper expresses my feelings on the topic of controlling one native animal species (small carnivores) for the benefit of another native species (waterfowl). The relationship between the predator and prey has always been an interesting one. During much of man's experience with wildlife, predators were generally feared and persecuted. It was almost universally agreed that killing predators resulted in larger game populations, which man wanted for food or sport.

Small Mammals: Pests Or Vital Components Of The Ecosystem, Carolyn Hull Sieg

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Small mammals regarded as "pests" should not be viewed separately from other components in the ecosystem. Small mammals have significant influences on vegetation and soils, exert predatory pressure on other animals, and provide food for predators. Future management efforts should include consideration of these diverse influences.

Consider Using Electric Powered Fences For Controlling Animal Damage, Robert E. Steger

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The use of electronics in animal damage control is not new. The use of amplified frequencies or sound has been widely used for controlling insects, rats, and other kinds of animals. Recent innovations for uses of electric powered fences are being recognized. Animals heretofore managed by expensive predacides or physical barriers are being managed with electric powered barriers. For example, caterpillars are being economically managed in New Zealand with the use of one electrical wire slightly above ground level. This application is being made possible because electric powered fences are 1) economical; 2)effective; 3) provide flexibility; and 4) are relatively …

South Dakota—Its History, Land, And Wildlife, Chuck Post

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

South Dakota, duh KOH tuh, was named for the Dakota, or Sioux Indians who lived in this region before the white man came. In addition to the Sioux, two other tribes lived in the area before the white man. The Arikara built permanent homes and raised crops while the Cheyenne lived mostly by hunting. The wandering Sioux were hunters and warriors who moved from place to place following the great herds of bison.

Diving Birds Of North America: 3 Comparative Egocentric And Locomotory Behaviors, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

As used here, "egocentric behavior" means those categories of individual survival and maintenance behaviors that are exclusive of such social interactions as aggressive, sexual, and parental behaviors, which will be considered in detail in the individual species accounts and also will be separately summarized in chapter 5. A discussion of the ecological aspects of foraging behavior will also be deferred until chapter 4, though behavioral aspects of underwater locomotion and prey catching will be considered here.

Diving Birds Of North America: 1 General Attributes And Evolutionary Relationships, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Loons, grebes, and auks comprise a rather large number of species of aquatic diving birds that are fairly unfamiliar to most people, inasmuch as they tend to spend much of their time well away from shore and, when approached on the water, usually dive inconspicuously and reappear a considerable distance away. Thus in many areas grebes, simply called "helldivers," are often confused with coots or even diving ducks. Many people know loons only by their wild, penetrating cries and romantically associate them with northern woods and lakes, while auks are symbolic of arctic coastal cliffs. But ornithologists can find fascinating …

Diving Birds Of North America: 4 Comparative Diets And Foraging Ecologies, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Auks, loons, and grebes are birds whose anatomies and behaviors have been sharply influenced by their foraging niche adaptations. In each species these have evolved through natural selection over extended periods of geologic time as a reflection of available food resources, the presence of competing species, and the limitations on innate variations in anatomy, physiology, and behavior imposed by available genetic mutations and recombinations. To a very considerable degree the auks, loons, and grebes seem to have adjusted to the effects of interspecific competition by evolving differences in bill shape and body size that sometimes open specific new foraging niche …

Diving Birds Of North America: Index, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

This index is limited to the English vernacular and Latin names of species and subspecies of loons, grebes, and auks discussed individually in this book. Complete indexing is confined to entries for the English vernacular names of species as used in this book. The principal account of each species is indicated by italic page numbers.

[Publisher’s note: The PDF files of the complete book and all chapters have been converted to text via optical character recognition, and may be word-searched from Adobe Reader or Acrobat.]

Diving Birds Of North America: Appendices, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Sources of Scientific and Vernacular Names
Keys to Identification of Loons, Grebes, and Auks
Key to Families of Loons, Grebes, and Auks
Key to Species of North American Loons
Key to Species of North American Grebes
Key to Species of North American Auks
Major North American Auk Colonies
Summer Abundance and Breeding Status of Grebes at Selected National Wildlife Refuges

Diving Birds Of North America: Species Accounts — Auks (Alcidae), Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Auks are small to medium-sized diving birds having bills that are variably pointed and compressed but never acuminate and are sometimes covered with colorful horny sheaths in breeding adults. Feathering densely covers the lores and often extends to the nostrils, which vary from linear to oval. There are 10 functional primaries and 15–19 secondaries; the greater secondary and primary coverts are usually lengthened. Molting of the primaries is usually simultaneous but is gradual in some species; the wings are used for underwater propulsion, and the feet are then used mainly for steering. The 12–18 rectrices are short and normal in …

Diving Birds Of North America: 2 Comparative Distributions And Structural Adaptations, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

The geographic distributions of the loons, auks, and grebes are primarily reflections of the evolutionary histories of each of the groups, past climatic and geologic phenomena, and present-day climatic and ecological conditions. Thus all the loons and auks are Northern Hemisphere birds, which presumably have never been able to bridge the tropical barrier into the Southern Hemisphere, where seemingly suitable breeding habitat might exist in, for example, southern South America and Tierra del Fuego. Indeed, the breeding distribution of the Northern American loons is distinctly arctic oriented, with the greatest species density north of the boundaries of arctic tundra in …

Diving Birds Of North America: Color Plates, Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

1. Arctic loon, adult in breeding plumage. Photo by author.
2. Red-throated loon, nesting adult. Photo by Kenneth W. Fink.
3. Yellow-billed loon, adult in breeding plumage. Photo by Kenneth W. Fink.
4. Common loon, nesting adult. Photo by Kenneth W. Fink.
5. Pied-billed grebe, adult in breeding plumage. Photo by author.
6. Least grebe, adult and young. Painting by Mark E. Marcuson.
7. Red-necked grebe, nesting adult. Photo by author.
8. Eared grebe, adults with young. Photo by Kenneth W. Fink.
9. Horned grebe, nesting adult. Photo by Kenneth W. Fink.
10. Western grebe, adult with young. Photo by …

White-Tailed Prairie Dog Ecology In Wyoming, George E. Menkens Jr., Brian J. Miller, Stanley H. Anderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

White-tailed prairie dog populations and habitats were studied on six towns in Wyoming. Habitats and habitat structure varied greatly both within and between towns. Prairie dog populations on each town were found to fluctuate by more than 50% between consecutive years. Prairie dog density was not significantly related to burrow density indicating that burrow density was not a useful predictor of population density.

Diving Birds Of North America [Complete Book], Paul A. Johnsgard

Diving Birds of North America by Paul A. Johnsgard

Considering the great nostalgic attraction of such birds as the common loon for people who have lived at least part of their lives around the lakes of Canada and the northern United States, and given the endearing visual appeal of species like puffins and auklets, it is rather surprising that there are so few books on these groups of aquatic birds. During my childhood summers at our Minnesota lake cottage I used to spend hours watching loons and red-necked grebes, and I marveled at their wonderful diving ability and powerful voices. Much later, the wild puffins and massed breeding colonies …