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Aspects Of The Nesting Ecology Of Least Terns And Piping Plovers In Central Nebraska, Craig A. Faanes

Papers in Ornithology

Breeding habitat of the least tern is made up primarily of coastal beaches and inland river sandbars. Populations of the interior (Sterna antillarum athalassos) and east coast (S. a. antillarum) subspecies are now declining (Marshall et al. 1975, Duffy 1977, Jernigan et al. 1978) and the western subspecies (S. a. browni) is endangered (Wilbur 1974). Although coastal populations have received considerable attention (Wolk 1974, Atwood et al. 1977, Blodgett 1978), little research has been conducted on the interior race (Hardy 1957, Downing 1975).

The piping plover inhabits river sandbars and sand beaches and, like …

A New Nesting Species For Nebraska, Gary Lingle

Nebraska Bird Review

The Chuck-will's widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis) is considered a highly local but regular migrant and presumed summer resident in Nebraska. Although it is known to breed in Kansas and Oklahoma, there were no nest records for Nebraska (Johnsgard, 1980). Egg dates for Kansas range from 21 April to 31 May (Johnsgard, 1979). On 4 June 1983 a Chuck-will's widow's nest with 2 eggs was discovered in a bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)–red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) woodland at Camp Merrill, Saunders Co. (Sec 29 T17N RSW), approximately 6 miles southeast of Linwood (Janett Waever, pers. comm.) The …

Whole Issue Nebraska Bird Review (December 1983) 51(4)

Nebraska Bird Review

A New Nesting Species for Nebraska ... 86
Book Reviews ... 87
A Second Black-shouldered Kite in Nebraska,
with Notes on Its Food Habits ... 88
Pine Siskin Nests at Wayne State College ... 89
1983 Fall Field Day ... 89
A Mississippi Kite in Hall County, Nebraska ... 90
Notes ... 91
Index of Volume ... 97

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (September 1983) 51(3)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent free to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on calendar year basis only) are $7.00 per year in the United States and $9.00 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $2.25 each, postpaid.

Memberships (on a calendar year basis only): Student, $3.00; Active, $7.00; Sustaining, $15.00; Family Active, $10.00; Family Sustaining, $20.00; Life, $100.00.

All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to the Treasurer, Mrs. Jack Shafer, RR2, Box 61, Wood …

Masthead From Nebraska Bird Review (June 1983) 51(2)

Nebraska Bird Review

Published quarterly in March, June, September, and December by the Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union, Inc., as its official journal and sent free to all members who are not in arrears for dues. Subscriptions (on calendar year basis only) are $7.00 per year in the United States and $9.00 per year in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $2.25 each, postpaid.

Memberships (on a calendar year basis only): Student, $3.00; Active, $7.00; Sustaining, $15.00); Family Active, $10.00; Family Sustaining, $20.00; Life, $100.00.

All dues and subscriptions should be remitted to the Treasurer, Mrs. Jack Shafer, RR2, Box 61, Wood …

Breeding Status Of Selected Bird Species In The Niobrara Valley Preserve Area, Nebraska, Michael J. Mossman, Mark A. Brogie

Nebraska Bird Review

INTRODUCTION

The Niobrara Valley Preserve is located in north-central Nebraska and includes a variety of relatively undisturbed grassland, woodland, and wetland habitats. The diversity of habitats, in conjunction with the area's central geographic location near the 100th meridian, results in a diverse avifauna with many species and subspecies occurring at or near the western, eastern, southern, or northern edge of their breeding ranges. Several pairs of sibling species and subspecies are found here within their narrow band of sympatry. The breeding list of the Preserve and environs includes at least 105 species (Brogie and Mossman 1983), several of which are …

Cranes Of The World [Complete Work], Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes are a group of birds that can lift the human spirit as few other wild animals can do; their great size, marvelous soaring abilities, humanoid traits such as "dancing," and penetrating voices, all strike deep into the human psyche and forcefully remind us of the beauty and mystery of the natural world around us. We cannot lose even a single species of crane without seriously rendering our own existence that much poorer. It is in that spirit that I decided to write the present book, which I hope will be of value to ecologists, ethologists, conservationists, aviculturalists, and anyone …

Cranes Of The World: 6. Aviculture And Hybridization, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

The keeping of cranes in captivity, either as pets or as animals to be fattened for the pot, is evidently a very old practice. Captive cranes are depicted on the walls of the Temple of Deir-el-Barari of the Nile Valley, where cranes are shown walking in stately fashion between slaves. Each crane's bill is tied down close to its neck, which would upset its balance and thus prevent it from flying away (Whymper, 1909). Armstrong (1979) noted that cranes were apparently domesticated in ancient Greece, and that Plutarch (c. A.D. 46-c. A.D. 120) mentions the nesting of tame cranes, presumably …

Cranes Of The World: Black-Necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
None in general English use; Grue á cour noir (French); Schwarzhals Kranich (German); Cheniozheuleu zhuravl (Russian); Grulla de cue110 negro (Spanish).

Range:
Breeds from Ladakh east through Tibet (Xizang Zizhiqu) to the Koko Nor Region in eastern Tsinghai (Qinghai), probably mostly between 4,300 and 4,600 meters elevation. Migratory, and reported on migration or during winter from central and eastern Sikang, Yunnan, and Tonkin (Vaurie, 1965). Also winters in small numbers in the southern Himalayas (Bhutan and Frontier Division of Subansiri Pradesh) at elevations of 1,500-3,000 meters (Ali, 1976).

Cranes Of The World: Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides Virgo), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
None in General English use; Shuai-yu-hao (Chinese); Grue demoisella, Demoiselle de Numidae (French); Jungfernkranich (German); Karkarra (Hindi); Aneha-zuru (Japanese); Krasavka zhuravl (Russian); Grulla damisela, Grulla moruria (Spanish).

Range:
Bred at least formerly in northwestern Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, possibly northern Morocco); currently breeds in Europe from the southern IJkraine and the Crimea through southeastern Russia (north to the region of Volgograd and south to the steppes to the east of the lower Volga), eastward through the steppes of the Kirghiz, western Siberia, southern Minusinsk, and the Altai, Lake Baikal, and of southern Transbaikalia, to the steppes of northwestern …

Cranes Of The World: 1. Classification And Evolution, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes and their relatives the limpkins and trumpeters are fairly closely related members of the order of birds (Gruiformes) that also includes rails, gallinules, coots, and other marsh-adapted birds. Cranes, limpkins, and trumpeters are usually included within a superfamily, Gruoidea, although at least one recent authority (Cracraft, 1973) has suggested that the three groups all be included within a single family, Gruidae. However, traditionally only the cranes have been included within the Gruidae, and only the cranes will be dealt with in detail in this book. Nevertheless, the limpkins and trumpeters must be considered if the evolution of cranes is …

Cranes Of The World: 0. Contents -- Foreword -- Preface, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

I. COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY OF CRANES
1. Classification and Evolution / 3
2. Individualistic and Social Behavior / 11
3. Vocalizations / 25
4. Ecology and Population Dynamics / 35
5. Comparative Reproductive Biology / 44
6. Aviculture and Hybridization / 51
7. Endangered Species and Conservation / 60
8. Cranes in Myth and Legend / 70

II. NATURAL HISTORIES OF INDIVIDUAL CRANE SPECIES
1. Crowned Cranes / 77
2. Blue Crane / 87
3. Demoiselle Crane / 95
4. Wattled Crane / 121
5. Siberian Crane / 131
6. Australian Crane / 141
7. Sarus Crane / 151
8. White-naped …

Cranes Of The World: Blue Crane (Anthropoides Paradises), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
Stanley crane; Bloukraan (Afrikaan); Grue bleue (French); Paradieskranich (German); Hagoromo zuru (Japanese); Chetyrekhkrydy zhuravl (Russian); Grulla azul (Spanish); Groote Sprinkhaan-vogel (Boers, Transvaal).

Range:
Resident in the upland interior of South Africa and possibly adjacent Mozambique north almost to the Zambezi, and with a small isolated population near the Etosha Pan of Namibia (South- West Africa).

Cranes Of The World: 5. Comparative Reproductive Biology, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

The reproductive biologies of cranes are surprisingly similar. All crane species are strictly monogamous, have long pair bonds and a prolonged period of juvenile dependency, and are highly territorial during the breeding season. All cranes also have an extremely limited reproductive potential, resulting from their deferred sexual maturity, low clutch size, and limited renesting tendencies following the loss of a clutch or hatched young.

Cranes Of The World: 4. Ecology And Population Dynamics, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Like other animals, cranes exist as natural populations that are dependent upon particular environmental conditions and that vary in population density between the absolute minimum numbers that have permitted survival to relatively dense populations that may approach or even temporarily exceed the carrying capacity of the habitat. Each species may also have an upper species-typical limit on population density, or "saturation point," which is independent of the carrying capacity of the habitat but which may be determined by such social adaptations as territorial requirements or individual distance characteristics. Within crane populations, individual birds or families remain within home ranges or …

Cranes Of The World: Index, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

This index is limited to the English vernacular and Latin names of crane species and subspecies, including fossil terms. Complete indexing is limited to entries for the English vernacular names of species as used in this book. The principal account of each species or genus is indicated by italics.

Cranes Of The World: Origins Of Scientific And Vernacular Names Of Cranes, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Origins of scientific and vernacular names of cranes

Cranes Of The World: Key To The Species And Subspecies Of Cranes Of The World, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Key to the Families of Gruoidea
Key to Cranes of the World

Cranes Of The World: Color Plates, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Color photographs:

1. South African crowned crane, adult. Photo by K. B. Newman.
2. West African crowned crane, adults. Photo by author.
3. South African crowned crane, adult at nest. Photo by W. R. Tarboton.
4. Blue crane, adult incubating. Photo by K. B. Newman.
5. Blue crane, adults at nest. Photo by K. B. Newman.
6. Demoiselle crane, adult. Photo by author.
7. Wattled crane, adult incubating. Photo by W. R. Tarboton.
8. Wattled crane, adult. Photo by author.
9. Siberian crane, adult. Photo by author.
10. Siberian crane, adult. Photo by author.
11. Australian crane, adult. Photo by …

Cranes Of The World: References, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

The following list of more than 400 references is by no means a complete bibliography of cranes, but does include a few titles that for various reasons were not specifically cited in the text. Walkinshaw's (1973) monograph contains a large number of citations not found in the present list, and he additionally has recently (1981c) updated and supplemented his earlier bibliography. All told, his two citation lists include nearly 2,500 citations. Nearly 40 percent of the 1973 list deals with the whooping crane, 20 percent with the sandhill crane, 15 percent with the Eurasian crane, and 8 percent with the …

Cranes Of The World: White-Naped Crane (Grus Vipio), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
Japanese white-necked crane; Ts-ang-kua (Chinese); Grue á cour blanc (French); Weissnacken-Kranich (German); Mana-zuru (Japanese); Dachkai zhuravl (Russian); Grulla de cuelle blanco (Spanish).

Range:
Breeds on the Transbaikalian steppes probably from the Onon and Argun rivers eastward through northwestern and central Manchuria to the southern Ussuri Valley, the basin of Lake Khanka, and in southwestern Ussuriland. Known recent breeding areas (Yamashina, 1978) include the marshlands around the central part of the Primorskiy Kraj (Maritime Territory), the middle drainage of the Amur River (from the upper Zeya to the Bureya and the Archara), and in northwestern Manchuria (Jaranton). Also …

Cranes Of The World: Crowned Crane (Balearica Pauonina), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
Blue-necked or gray crowned crane (regulorum and gibbericeps), Black-necked or dark crowned crane (pavonina and ceciliae); Ma-hem (Afrikaan); Grue couronnee, Grue ronnee du Cap (French); Konigskranich (German); Minima kanmuri-zuru (Japanese); Makoka zhuravl (Russian); Grulla corona (Spanish); I-hem (Xhosa); U-Nohemu (Zulu).

Range:
Resident in open country over most of Africa south of the Sahara, excepting the Congo Basin and the driest portions of southwestern Africa.

Optimal Foraging Theory And The Psychology Of Learning, Alan Kamil

Avian Cognition Papers

The development of optimization theory has made important contributions to the study of animal behavior. But the optimization approach needs to be integrated with other methods of ethology and psychology. For example, the ability to learn is an important component of efficient foraging behavior in many species, and the psychology of animal learning could contribute substantially to testing and extending the predictions of optimal foraging theory.

Hybridization & Zoogeographic Patterns In Pheasants, Paul A. Johnsgard

Paul Johnsgard Collection

A review of interspecific pheasant hybrids as reported in the literature reveals a relatively high rate of hybridization in captivity but a low rate of hybridization in the wild. All of the 91 known hybrid combinations have been reported from captivity, and three of these combinations have also been reported from the wild. All of the latter involve species pairs of known close relationships (red and gray junglefowl, kalij and silver pheasant, and white and blue eared pheasant), suggesting that reproductive isolating mechanisms in the pheasants are much more effective under natural conditions than are those of grouse, a group …

Scaring Of Carrion Crows (Corvus Corone Corone) By Species-Specific Distress Calls And Suspended Bodies Of Dead Crows, Luzia Naef-Daenzer

Bird Control Seminars Proceedings

In Switzerland, carrion crows can cause considerable damage to sprouting corn fields when feeding on the germinated corn. I tried to evaluate a method to prevent these damages. The use of species-specific distress calls, for the first time described by Frings and Jumber (1954), seemed to be the most promising method. Agronomes and biologists have applied it in field studies to several different bird species causing damage in agriculture and on airports (e.g., Gramet, 1962; Brough, 1968). However, the literature either describes single actions or several different scaring devices being used together. To be able to judge the method, quantitative …

Cranes Of The World: Australian Crane (Grus Rubicundus), Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Other Vernacular Names:
Brolga, Native companion (Australia); Grue d'Australie (French); Australischer Kranich (German); Goshu zuru (Japanese); Australiyka zhuravl (Russian); Grulla Australiana (Spanish).

Range:
Resident in grassland habitats in lowland New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia, more rarely to southern and southeastern Australia.

Cranes Of The World: Black And White Plates, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Black and white Photographs

1. West African crowned crane, adult. Photo by L. H. Walkinshaw.
2. South African crowned crane, adult at nest. Photo by W. Tarboton.
3. South African crowned crane, adult at nest. Photo by W. Tarboton.
4. Blue crane, adult at nest. Photo by W. Tarboton.
5. Demoiselle crane, adult. Photo by author.
6. Wattled crane, adult incubating. Photo by W. Tarboton.
7. Wattled crane, adults at nest. Photo by W. Tarboton.
8. Siberian cranes, adults taking off. Photo by G. W. Archibald.
9. White-naped cranes, adults in flight. Photo by Eizi Takabayashi, courtesy International Crane Foundation. …

Cranes Of The World: 8. Cranes In Myth And Legend, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Wherever cranes occur in the world, their stature, intelligence, wariness, and sociality have captured the human imagination and have given rise to a variety of legends, myths, and folktales. Among the best sources of such information for England and southern Europe are the manuscript writings of Edward Topsell (1572-1625), which have been edited and recently republished (1972). Topsell reported that "when fables ruled the world" it was believed that a proud queen of Pygmies named Oenoe or Gerania was turned into a crane by Juno and Diana, because she taught her people to neglect other gods and worship her. Gerania …

Cranes Of The World: 7. Endangered Species And Conservation, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

Few families of birds, other than some associated with small island archipelagos, have such a large proportion of their species in danger of extinction as does the crane family. Of the 14 extant species of cranes, King (1979) regards two full species (whooping crane and Siberian crane) as endangered, three more (Japanese, hooded, and white-naped) as vulnerable, and the black-necked crane as of indeterminate status. Additionally, one race (the Mississippi) of the sandhill crane is classified as endangered, and the Cuban race is regarded as rare and local. Thus, more than a third of the world's crane species are currently …

Cranes Of The World: Epilogue, Paul A. Johnsgard

Cranes of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard

And as wee see strange Crane are won’t to doe
First stalke a while ere they their wings can finde,
Then soare from ground not past a yard or two,
Till in their wings they gathered have the winde;
At last they mount the very cloudes unto,
Trianglewise according to their kind.
-Topsell, 1972