Ornithology Commons^™

Tragopan: Newsletter Of The Wpa/Birdlife/Species Survival Commission Pheasant Specialist Group 1-7 (1994-1997), World Pheasant Association, Birdlife International, Iucn Species Survival Commission Pheasant Specialist Group

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

Issue 1 (June 1994)

Message from the President of WPA, Cheng Tso-hsin

Tragopan, Philip McGowan and Peter Garson

From the Chairman, Peter Garson

Core Committee business,Peter Garson

Reviews

Pheasants in Asia 1992, edited by David Jenkins, review by Carol Inskipp

The Brown Eared Pheasants by Li Xiang-tao and Liu Ru-sun, review by Michael Rank

Other news

The Mishmi Hills, Rahul Kaul

Investigating pheasant diets, Steve Moreby

BirdLife Vietnam Programme, Jonathan Eames

New Congol peafowl project, Don Bruning

The Core Committee

Issue 2 (January 1995)

Editorial, Philip McGowan

A round up from the Chairman, Peter Garson

Other news

Protection in China …

Annual Review Of The World Pheasant Association 1993/1994, World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

Editor's preface, David Jenkins

President's foreword, Cheng Tso-hsin

Annual report of Council 1993/94

British Airways and the World Pheasant Association, Rod Hall

The Game Conservancy Trust, G. R. (Dick) Potts

The need for conservation action plans, Philip J. K. McGowan

Pheasant Specialist Group, Peter J. Garson

Pheasant surveys in Arunchal Pradesh, Rahul Kaul, Rashid Raza, and Rajiv Kalsi

Recent research on brown eared-pheasants at Dongling Mountain, Beijing, Li Xiangtao

Progress in research on Reeves's pheasant in China, Wu Zhikang, Li Xhumei, and Wang Jihuai

Survey and status of the Congo peafowl in eastern Zaire: Progress report (March-June 1994), John Hart …

Wpa News 42 (1993), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (November 1993), number 42

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Pqf News: Newsletter Of The Partridge, Quail, And Francolin Specialist Group 4 (1993), Iucn Species Survival Commission, Birdlife International, World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

In Focus: World Pheasant Association

Grant aid for researchers

Request for francolin samples

Quail hunting in Southern Africa

Progress report on the Action Plan

Perdix VI Proceedings

Diseases in captive populations of partridges in China

Around the regions: search for the Indian Mountain Quail requests for samples

Minutes of the last meeting

The next newsletter

Wpa News 41 (1993), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (August 1993), number 41

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Wpa News 40 (1993), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (May 1993), number 40

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Wpa News 39 (1993), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (February 1993), number 39

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Enteric Coccidia (Apicomplexa) In The Small Intestine Of The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix Occidentalis Caurina), Eric P. Hoberg, R. J. Cawthorn, O. R. Hedstrom

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Sporulated oocysts (mean dimensions = 13.0 x 10.8 μm) and sporocysts (11.3 x 5.5 μm) of a coccidian resembling Frenkelia sp. or Sarcocystis sp. were present in the lamina propria of the small intestine of a naturally-infected northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) collected near Medford, Oregon, USA. Dimensions of these oocysts and sporocysts appear to be considerably smaller than those from other sarcocystid species with avian definitive hosts. Additionally, numerous developmental stages and unsporulated oocysts (mean dimensions 22.8 x 17.8 μm) of a possible species of Isospora also were observed in the intestinal epithelium. This constitutes the …

Quail Iii: National Quail Symposium (Kansas City, Missouri, United States, July 14-17, 1992), Kevin E. Church, Thomas V. Dailey

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Conference Proceedings

General

The history of quail management with comments on pen-rearing, Edward L. Kozicky

Taxonomy and biogeography of New Norld quail, R. J. Gutierrez

Bobwhite and the "new" biology, John L. Roseberry

Quail methodology: Where are we and where do we need to be? Dean F. Stauffer

Attitudes of a select group of Illinois quail hunters, John L. Roseberry and W. D. Klimstra

Population biology

Population trends of quails in North America, Kevin E. Church, John R. Sauer, and Sam Droege

Potential polygamous breeding behavior in northern bobwhite, Paul D. Curtis, Brad S. Mueller, Phillip D. Doerr, Charles F. Robinette, and …

Wpa News 38 (1992), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (November 1992), number 38

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Wpa News 37 (1992), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (August 1992), number 37

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Wpa News 36 (1992), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (May 1992), number 36

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Wpa News 35 (1992), World Pheasant Association

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Newsletters

WPA News (February 1992), number 35

Published by the World Pheasant Association

Status, Production And Migration Of Greater Sandhill Cranes On Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota, Jon J. Dimatteo

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) nesting at Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in northwestern Minnesota were studied from 20 April 1984 to 10 December 1985. Local birds were monitored to determine population size and age structure, reproductive success, and migration routes and wintering grounds. Forty-two pairs were identified. Thirty-four were breeding pairs and 3 were subadult (nonbreeding) pairs. Twenty nests were found; pairs at 13 of these hatched at least 1 young. Forty-three pairs hatched a minimum of 62 young, and 28 pairs fledged 42 of 47 young. Fifteen birds were colormarked, 8 of which were radio-tagged …

An Evaluation Of Three Areas For Potential Populations Of Whooping Cranes, Janet L. Mcmillen, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Mary A. Bishop, Alan J. Bennett, Laurel A. Bennett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) populations were evaluated on the Seney NWR, Michigan, the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, and in southcentral Florida to evaluate their suitability to support introduced whooping cranes (G. americana). This paper compares data collected at these sites and additional data collected in northcentral Florida. The length of the egg-laying period varied from 4.5 months in central Florida to 1 month at Seney, but egg-laying ceased at all sites from mid-May to early June. Mean clutch sizes were similar 0.7-1.9). Renesting ranged from 79% in northcentral Florida to <=5% at Seney. These dates and values are consistent with nesting successes that ranged from 48% in northcentral Florida to 80% at Seney. Average annual recruitment, 12.3 juveniles/lOa adults, was highest on the Kissimmee Prairie in southcentral Florida. Average annual horne range size for the non-migratory populations were 1 km2 on the Okefenokee and 6.6 km2 on the Kissimmee. Nesting season horne range sizes ranged from 0.5 km2 on the Okefenokee to 1.8 km2 at Seney. All candidate populations successfully satisfied most of the guidelines for potential whooping crane populations as established by the Whooping Crane Recovery Team. Once reintroduction techniques have been refined, any or all of the study sites have the capacity to accommodate a flock of whooping cranes commensurate with Whooping Crane Recovery Team recommendations.

A Microcomputer Data Base For Managing Whooping Crane Observation Records, Duane A. Asherin, David B. Hamilton, Wendy M. Brown, Roderick C. Drewien

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

A database called WHOOPER contains whooping crane (Grus americana) observations for the Rocky Mountain foster-parent population and currently consists of 1,438 observations covering the period 1975-1987. The dBase III Plus database management system for microcomputers is used for the application. This description of the data base and its capabilities updates the prototype database described in the 1985 Crane Workshop.

Unobstructed Visibility At Whooping Crane Roost Sites On The Platte River, Nebraska, Craig A. Faanes

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Unobstructed visibility is an important component of whooping crane (Grus americana) roosting habitat. Recent habitat modeling efforts suggest that unobstructed horizontal visibility is suitable at a minimum of 335 m. Unobstructed upstream and downstream visibility is also an important part of whooping crane roosting habitat, but quantification of that parameter has not been reported previously, or incorporated into species models. Data from the Platte River suggest that a minimum of 732 m of unobstructed upstream and downstream visibility is needed at whooping crane roost sites.

Crane Propagation At Miami Metro Zoo, 1983–1987, Carol G. Hesch

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Five species of cranes are bred at Miami Metrozoo. Few health problems have been encountered in raising a large number of chicks. Rearing cranes in close confinement, with limited resources, requires sound management and careful observation.

Sandhill Crane Surveys In The Northern Interior Highlands Of Mexico, Roderick C. Drewien, Wendy M. Brown, Elwood G. Bizeau

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Most sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) wintering in Mexico are found in the northern Interior Highlands of Chihuahua. We surveyed sandhill cranes in the states of Chihuahua and occasionally Durango, Mexico, in winters 1972-90. The population averaged 23,106 (SD = 10,369) in 11 counts at 5-6 areas in Chihuahua. Laguna de Babicora, the most important wetland for cranes wintering in Mexico, had the largest numbers (X = 16,012), followed by Ascension (x = 2,405) and Laguna de los Mexicanos (x = 1,468). All 3 migratory subspecies were present. The lesser subspecies (G. c. canadensis) comprised 85.7% of …

Preliminary Identification Of Whooping Crane Staging Areas In Prairie Canada, Brian W. Johns

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

For 60 years a passive program has been in effect to monitor the migration of whooping cranes (Grus americana) through Saskatchewan, and currently the Canadian Wildlife Service coordinates a triprovincial reporting network and operates a telephone Hot Line to receive reports of sightings of migrating cranes. Analyses of historical data reported through those efforts have identified the chronology of migration, the migration corridor through Canada, and major staging/ stopover areas in Saskatchewan. Investigations are continuing to identify specific roost sites, feeding areas and the availability of suitable habitat within the staging/ stopover area.

Isolation-Rearing Of Siberian Crane Chicks At The International Crane Foundation, Meenakshi Nagendran, Robert H. Horwich

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Three Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) chicks hatched in the summer of 1987 at the International Crane Foundation (lCF); Baraboo, Wisconsin, were raised in near-complete isolation from humans. The chicks were exposed to species-specific models, vocalizations, a costumed "parent" and a role-model adult Siberian crane housed in an adjacent pen. Attachment to costumed "parent," interchick interaction, and reactions to humans were measured and compared with those aspects of sandhill crane behavior under similar rearing conditions.

Re-Pairing Of Whooping Cranes At Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Adult whooping cranes (Grus americana) on the winter range at Aransas NWR without mates may re-pair over a period of several months, while others remain un-paired throughout the winter. However, 1 association formed during the winter did not result in a pair bond.

Habitat Use By Florida Sandhill Cranes On The Kissimmee Prairie In Central Florida, Mary Anne Bishop

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Radio-tagged Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) were monitored for habitat use during 1985 and 1986 on the Kissimmee Prairie in central Florida. For both breeding and nonbreeding cranes, 93 % of the daytime locations were in 3 habitat types: cropland and plowed pasture, improved pasture, and palustrine emergent wetlands. Improved pasture was the most frequently used daytime habitat for both social classes. Radio locations were divided among 4 time blocks (3 diurnal, 1 nocturnal) and 4 3-month seasons. Time-of-day effects for use of wetlands and improved pasture were only marginally significant (1' < 0.08 and l' < 0.09, respectively) for breeders and not significant (1' < 0.30 and l' < 0.43, respectively) for nonbreeders. There was no significant difference in habitat use by breeders among seasons. Chi-square analyses of diurnal locations indicated that 4 of the 6 breeding cranes monitored used palustrine emergent wetlands more than their availability. The selection for wetlands reflects not only the rich food sources available, but also their use as midday loafing and drinking sites and as a source of cover that the upland habitats do not offer.

Cranes And Power Lines: An Analysis Of The Issue, Craig A. Faanes, Douglas H. Johnson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

As part of a 1980-82 study, the flight behavior and mortality of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) was studied at 4 alkaline lake sites in central North Dakota. We analyzed the behavioral response of sandhill cranes in flight at powerline sites and examined factors associated with collisions with a power line structure. Several methods that can be used to reduce crane mortality at power line sites are discussed. Findings of several other research efforts that address crane mortality at power lines are summarized.

Population Status, Hunting Regulations, Hunting Activity, And Harvests Of Mid-Continent Sandhill Cranes, David E. Sharp, William D. Vogel

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The mid·continent population of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) was protected from 1916 until 1961, when hunting resumed on a limited basis. Areas open to hunting were experimentally expanded during 1961-72, but during the subsequent 1975-90 period only minor changes were made in the 8 Central Flyway states that established hunting seasons. Annual spring surveys conducted during 1982-90 indicated the population was stable at objective levels, with spring populations estimated at about 540,000 and fall flights near 590,000. Special federal hunting permits have been required for all bunters participating in regular seasons in the Central Flyway since 1975, where …

Contaminants In Habitat, Tissues, And Eggs Of Whooping Cranes, James C. Lewis, Roderick C. Drewien, Ernie Kuyt, Charles Sanchez Jr.

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sampling of contaminants in the principal habitat areas of whooping cranes (Grus americana) of both the Rocky Mountain and the Aransas/Wood Buffalo National Park whooping crane populations began in the mid-1980's. Contaminants in eggs and tissues of whooping cranes were sampled opportunistically since the 1960's. Chlorinated hydrocarbons existed in low levels in the environment. Some trace elements including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper. mercury, selenium, and zinc are of sufficient abundance to justify continued monitoring. Declines over time in residues of DDT and mercury in tissues and eggs reflected the prohibition in use of these as pesticides or …

Progress In Satellite Tracking Cranes, David H. Ellis, Dwight G. Smith, Glenn H. Olsen, Mark R. Fuller, Steven E. Landfried, Hiroyoshi Higuchi, Charles H. Vermillion

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We review the history of tracking cranes with satellite telemetry and identify some of the difficulties in designing satellite transmitters and harnesses for cranes. Miniaturization of these transmitters and a plethora of harnessing experiments since 1989 allow us to recommend limited application of this technology to all species of cranes. We are still uncertain, however, if cranes harnessed with satellite telemetry devices are able to reproduce after migration. Because of this uncertainty, we urge caution in the use of this technology, especially with breeding adults in severely endangered popUlations. This manuscript also describes continuing research needs.

Proceedings Of The Sixth North American Crane Workshop

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In 1975 a group of North American crane researchers and managers convened a workshop at the fledgling International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. At the end they agreed to publish the proceedings of the workshop and to reconvene in 3 years to continue to share information, ideas, and support. Workshops followed in 1978 (Rockport, Texas), 1981 (Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming), 1985 (Grand Island, Nebraska), and 1988 (Kissimmee Prairie, Florida). At the Florida meeting this loose-knit group agreed to form the North American Crane Working Group (NACWG), an organization of "professional biologists, aviculturists, land managers, and other interested individuals dedicated …

Sexual Size Dimorphism And Size Indices Of Six Species Of Captive Cranes At The International Crane Foundation, Scott R. Swengel

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sexual size dimorphism and size indices in captive cranes were studied to learn dimorphism patterns and size relationships that could be used in the management of captive cranes. In 6 species of captive cranes. Siberian (Grus leucogeranus), eastern sarus (G. antigone sharpir), white-naped (G. vipio), common (G. grus), hooded (G. monacha), and red-crowned (G. japonensis), maIes averaged 14.5-28.5% heavier than femaIes (P < 0.05) in all species. MaIes had longer culmens, tarsi, and wing chords in all species. MaIes had significantly longer culmens (P < 0.05) in 4 of 6 species and had significantly longer tarsi than females (P < 0.05) in 3 of 6 species. Culmen and tarsus lengths both averaged 7% longer in males than females when the 6 species were combined. Wing chord length was not significantly dimorphic (P > 0.05) in any of the 4 species measured (Siberian, white-naped, hooded, and red-crowned cranes), averaging only 1.3 -3.3 % longer in males than in females. Body …

Dispersal Of Pen-Reared Mississippi Sandhill Cranes, Phillip J. Zwank, Donna A. Dewhurst

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Dispersal patterns of juvenile parent-reared, captive produced Mississippi sandhill cranes (grus canadensis pulla) were monitored using radiotelemetry. Dispersal chronology and distance traveled by cranes differed among 4 releases and seemed to be influenced by rearing methods. Most cranes that had been placed in communal pens before release formed flocks when released. Cranes released without communal pen experience did not flock, but individually associated with native cranes. Nonflocking released cranes dispersed more rapidly and to a greater distance, but had lower survival.