Ornithology Commons^™

K-Means Clustering With Multiresolution Peak Detection, Guanshan Yu, Leen-Kiat Soh, Alan B. Bond

Avian Cognition Papers

Clustering is a practical data mining approach of pattern detection. Because of the sensitivity of initial conditions, k-means clustering often suffers from low clustering performance. We present a procedure to refine initial conditions of k-means clustering by analyzing density distributions of a data set before estimating the number of clusters k necessary for the data set, as well as the positions of the initial centroids of the clusters. We demonstrate that this approach indeed improves the accuracy and performance of k-means clustering measured by average intra to interclustering error ratio. This method is applied to the virtual ecology project to …

Seasonal Changes In Composition Of Lipid Stores In Migratory Birds: Causes And Consequences, Barbara J. Pierce, Scott R. Mcwilliams

Biology Faculty Publications

It is well established that birds use fat stores to primarily fuel migration; however, few studies have focused on the causes and consequences of observed seasonal changes in fatty acid composition of fat stores in birds. We propose and test two hypotheses that address the causes of these seasonal changes in composition of fat stores: (1) diet composition determines fatty acid composition of fat stores, and (2) birds selectively metabolize and store certain fatty acids during migration in lieu of changing their diet. When we offered Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceous) choices between diets that differed only in fatty acid composition, …

2004-05 Christmas Bird Counts In Nebraska

Nebraska Bird Review

The addition of a new count encompassing Ponca State Park brings our total reported Nebraska counts to twelve this year. A total of 199 field counters and 20 feeder watchers participated. Temperatures were average, DeSoto being the cold spot, and precipitation was minimal.

This was the first year Cackling Geese were reported, following the recent split of Canada and Cackling Geese; a total of 70 were counted in 6 circles. American Wigeon numbers have been rising steadily on Nebraska CBCs, and the trend continued this year with 819 counted, a 25-year high. Three White-winged Scoters were found at Lake Mcconaughy, …

The 2003-2004 Nebraska Nest Report, Wayne J. Mollhoff

Nebraska Bird Review

Due to the fact that I was recalled to active duty by the US Army, I have been out of the state for the past two years. Hence, the number of observations made will be much abbreviated, and the usual comments on climatic conditions will be more limited.

A brief visit to the western Panhandle in June 2003 revealed that at least the southwestern Panhandle received enough rain to grow a crop of wheat, and there was more grass on the hills than in the previous several years. Despite this, some other parts of the state, especially the western Republican …

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Treasurer’S Report 2004

Nebraska Bird Review

One-page spreadsheet constituting the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union treasurer's report at year end (December 31) of 2004. The grand total is $51,716.19.

New Westward Breeding Records For Eastern Towhees In Central Nebraska, William C. Scharf

Nebraska Bird Review

The current breeding range of Eastern Towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) in Nebraska is described as westward to a line from Cedar Co through Platte, Hall, and Harlan Cos (NBR 64: 124, Sharpe et al. 2001). Frequent recent sightings of Eastern Towhees during the breeding season have been made from more westward locations. A few reports are from Lincoln Co., 5 June 2004 by TJ Walker (NBR 72: 91), and Dawson Co., 13 May 2004 by Laurel Badura (NBR 72: 55). In contrast to the capture data presented here, none of the sightings is corroborated with breeding …

Subscription And Organization Information [March 2005]

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Bird Review is published quarterly by the Nebraska Ornithologists' Union, Inc., as its official journal and is sent to members not in arrears of dues. Annual subscription rates (on a calendar-year basis only): $15 in the United States, $18 in Canada and $30 in all other countries, payable in advance. Single copies are $4 each, postpaid, in the United States, $5 in Canada, and $8 elsewhere. Send orders for back issues to Mary Lou Pritchard, NOU Librarian, c/o University of Nebraska State Museum, W-436 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0514.

Memberships in the NOU (on a calendar-year basis only): …

In Memory Of Dr. Rushton G. Cortelyou

Nebraska Bird Review

The Nebraska Ornithologists' Union lost a longtime member and friend on May 2, 2004, when Dr. Rushton Cortelyou passed away just 16 days shy of his 98th birthday. He had been a member of the NOU for more than 50 years. He was preceded in death by Margaret, his wife of 68 years. Survivors include daughters Helen Linger and Carol Cortelyou, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Rusty’s membership in the NOU dates from 1953, and he contributed much to the organization. He served as president in 1962-64 and as editor of The Nebraska Bird Review from 1965 to 1990. As …

Habitat Associations Of Nebraska Birds, Paul A. Johnsgard, John Dinan

Nebraska Bird Review

In the fall of 2003 we set out to assign habitat associations to 363 species of birds that regularly occur in Nebraska for the purpose of evaluating the relative importance of each of Nebraska's major habitats to the state's breeding, migrating, and wintering birds. It is our hope that this information will (1) provide the first thorough investigation of Nebraska's birds and the habitats they use, and (2) provide a method for prioritizing the conservation of Nebraska's varied habitats for birds.

Nebraska Bird Review (March 2005) 73(1), Whole Issue

Nebraska Bird Review

Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union Treasurer's Report 2004 ... 2

Winter Field Report, December 2004 to February 2005 ... 3

The 2003-2004 Nebraska Nest Report ... 15

Habitat Associations of Nebraska Birds ... 20

New Westward Breeding Records for Eastern Towhees in Central Nebraska ... 26

In Memory of Dr. Rushton G. Cortelyou ... 29

2004-05 Christmas Bird Counts in Nebraska ... 30

Subscription and Organization Information ... 43

Winter Field Report, December 2004 To February 2005, W. Ross Silcock

Nebraska Bird Review

This winter was generally unremarkable except for the occurrence of good numbers of several species at the western edge of the state, notably Clark's Nutcracker, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Bohemian Waxwing. There were a couple of sightings of Mountain Chickadee and one of Cassin's Finch for good measure. All of the winter finches on the Nebraska list (except for Hoary Redpoll) appeared, most notably Pine Grosbeak, represented by two birds. One of these was in the southwest (Kansas had several reports) but the other was in the east, suggesting either multiple points of origin, or, as suggested by some in Kansas, …

Kentucky Warbler (Vol. 81, No. 1), Kentucky Library Research Collections

The Kentucky Warbler

No abstract provided.

Lack Of Brown-Headed Cowbird Nest Parasitism In A Short Grass Region, Stephen L. Winter, Jack F. Cully Jr.

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

While conducting field work in Morton County, southwestern Kansas and Baca County, southeastern Colorado, during the period 27 May to 2 July 1997, we found 36 nests of seven bird species. Nests were not searched for systematically, but were found coincidentally as data were collected along transects during research investigating the breeding bird and plant communities of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies and noncolonized shortgrass prairie (Winter 1999).

Use Of Wading Birds As Indicators Of Potential Whooping Crane Wintering Habitat, Dawn A. Sherry, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

A search for suitable wintering sites on which to establish another migratory population of whooping crane (Grus americana) has been conducted and will continue. In addition to an evaluation of food availability for whooping cranes, wading birds that overlap highly in patterns of habitat utilization with whooping cranes may be useful as indirect indicators of suitable whooping crane habitat. We determined the extent to which several species of wading birds overlap in patterns of habitat utilization with whooping cranes on their current wintering grounds. We conducted aerial surveys of whooping cranes and wading birds at Aransas and Matagorda …

Patterns Of Relationships Among Whooping Crane Fitness, Blue Crab Abundance, And Freshwater Inflows: An Exploratory Assessment Of Available Data Sets, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

This paper evaluates the possible relationships of whooping crane (Grus americana) fitness parameters to blue crab abundance and freshwater inflows based on independently gathered data sets from several agencies between 1978 and 1999. I ordered all possible analysis models into two separate types based primarily on implied relationships. The 1st order exploratory relationship models were those where evaluated parameters were potentially affected by freshwater inflows, such as salinity and blue crab abundance. The 2nd order exploratory relationship models evaluated parameters that could, more directly, have potential affects on whooping crane fitness parameters for which there was data available. Freshwater inflow …

Do Arctic-Nesting Geese Compete With Sandhill Cranes For Waste Corn In The Central Platte River Valley, Nebraska?, Gary L. Krapu, David A. Brandt, Robert R. Cox Jr.

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Numbers of arctic-nesting geese staging in spring in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of southcentral Nebraska increased dramatically from the 1970s to the 1990s, raising concerns that geese may be competing with the mid-continental population of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) for waste corn. From late February to mid-April 1998-2001, we measured temporal patterns of cropland use, evaluated habitat preferences, and compared numbers of geese using the primary crane-occupied parts of the CPRV area with numbers of sandhill cranes. Numbers of Canada geese (Branta canadensis), lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens)/ Ross’ geese (Chen …

Greater Sandhill Crane: Research And Management In California Since 1978, Ronald W. Schlorff

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) was added to the California list of threatened species in 1983, and the subspecies has been the subject of research and management actions instituted by the California Department of Fish and Game (hereafter Department). Since 1978, the Department has conducted research and recovery actions including periodic breeding ground and wintering area studies, population monitoring, participated in developing Pacific Flyway crane management plans, acquisition and management of key habitats on breeding and wintering grounds, and developed a draft greater sandhill crane recovery strategy. These tasks were accomplished with the assistance of crane …

Historical Notes On Whooping Cranes At White Lake, Louisiana: The John J. Lynch Interviews, 1947–1948, Gay M. Gomez, Roderick C. Drewien, Mary Lynch Courville

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In May 1939 biologist John J. Lynch of the U.S. Bureau of Biological Survey conducted an aerial survey that documented the existence of a non-migratory population of whooping cranes (Grus americana) near White Lake in southwest Louisiana. Lynch found 13 cranes, including 2 pre-fledged young, confirming breeding. Lynch’s survey occurred, in part, because fur trappers and alligator hunters working in the White Lake marshes had informed the biologist of the cranes’ presence and habits. Lynch continued his contacts with these knowledgeable marsh users, and in 1947 and 1948 interviewed at least 7 individuals. In 2001, M. L. Courville, …

Whooping Crane Titers To Eastern Equine Encephalitis Vaccinations, Glenn H. Olsen, Erin Kolski, Jeff S. Hatfield, Douglas E. Docherty

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In 1984 an epizootic of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus killed 7 of 39 (18%) whooping cranes in captivity at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, USA. Since that time whooping cranes have been vaccinated with a human EEE vaccine. This vaccine was unavailable for several years, necessitating use of an equine vaccine in the cranes. This study compared the antibody titers measured for three years using the human vaccine with those measured for two years using the equine form. Whooping cranes developed similarly elevated titers in one year using the human vaccine and both years using the …

Age, Sex, And Aggression In Florida Sandhill Cranes, Stephen A. Nesbitt

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Individually directed aggressive interactions were recorded for sandhill cranes in Florida over a 9-year period. Charges and stabs were the most frequently observed aggressive behaviors. Paired adults initiated most of the encounters. Males directed 67% of aggressive interactions toward other males and 84% of female aggressive interactions were directed toward other females. The sex of initiator was significantly correlated with the sex of the receiver (P = 0.001). Paired adults directed most aggression (64.7%) toward other paired adults. Aggression initiated by subadult cranes was directed toward adults and subadults with equal frequency. The aggressiveness in males as an indicator of …

The Status Of The Common Crane (Grus Grus) In Europe: Breeding, Resting, Migration, Wintering, And Protection, Hartwig Prange

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

At present, about 160,000 and 100,000 cranes are migrating on the West-European and on the Baltic-Hungarian routes, respectively, from the northern, middle, and northeastern parts of Europe. On both routes, the resting maxima, simultaneously determined since the 1980’s, has increased three-fold. This increase in migratory cranes is the result of shorter migration routes with higher return rates, a growing passage from the northwestern part of Russia beginning in the 1990’s, and a protected status in the European Union at breeding as well as at many resting and wintering sites. Hence, the cranes learn to find and use new breeding and …

Proceedings Of The Ninth North American Crane Workshop: Preface, Dedications, And Awards

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

These proceedings include papers presented at the Ninth North American Crane Workshop in Sacramento, California in 2003. In addition, there are a few other papers included in this volume of the proceedings that were not presented at the workshop but were appropriate to include here. I would like to thank previous editors of the proceedings Dave and Cathy Ellis and Richard Urbanek for providing advice and suggestions for dealing with the current proceedings. Others provided input and suggestions and they were all well received and appreciated. I want to thank the associate editors of this issue of the proceedings and …

Crop Depredations By Cranes At Daursky State Biosphere Reserve, Siberia, Stephen H. Bouffard, John E. Cornely, Oleg A. Goroshko

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Crop depredations by staging cranes have been an annual problem at Daursky State Biosphere Reserve in southern Siberia. In September 2001 we met at Daursky when crane populations peaked to investigate the problem and suggest methods to reduce damages. Peak of crane staging coincided with grain harvest. We counted ≈ 30,000 cranes of 5 species, primarily demoiselles (Anthropoides virgo), in the area. Poor grain yields and cooperative farming systems discouraged efforts to reduce damage. Moving crops further from roost areas may be the most reasonable short term control method, but it’s effectiveness is yet untested. Hazing, lure crops …

First Cohort Of Migratory Whooping Cranes Reintroduced To Eastern North America: The First Year After Release, Richard P. Urbanek, Lara E. A. Fondow, Colleen D. Satyshur, Anne E. Lacy, Sara E. Zimorski, Marianne Wellington

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We describe the post-release movements and survival of the first cohort in the eastern migratory whooping crane (Grus americana) reintroduction from release the first winter through return the second winter. Six cranes were led behind ultralight aircraft from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Central Wisconsin, to Chassahowitzka NWR, Gulf Coast of Florida. After release in Florida, 1 of these cranes and another transported there by truck were killed by bobcats (Lynx rufus). The winter management protocol was modified and no further predation occurred. The 5 remaining cranes migrated unassisted back to Necedah NWR in spring, left …

Sandhill Crane Mortality During Fall Migration Stopover In North-Central New Mexico, Fall 2001, William Deragon, Wendy Brown, Gail Garber, Mike Richard

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Seventy-three Rocky Mountain greater sandhill cranes died after being mired in mud at a traditional migration stopover site during a fall migration 2001. Drawdown of the Jemez Canyon Dam reservoir in New Mexico resulted in over 200 acres of deep saturated silt and clay into which sandhill cranes became entrapped. Harassment to discourage birds from landing in the area was implemented immediately and partially successful. Rescue efforts were delayed because of an inability to safely access the cranes in these conditions. After 9 days, the use of a specialized 20-horsepower motor mounted on a small aluminum boat was employed. Seventeen …

Impact Of Management Changes At An Autumn Greater Sandhill Crane Staging Area In Oregon, Carrol D. Littlefield

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon was the most important autumn staging area for greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) in the northwest Pacific coastal states. During 1983-88, changes in management including increases in human disturbance and habitat alterations resulted in significant declines in autumn crane use. Compared with the period 1975-82, mean annual autumn crane peak numbers declined from 2,454 to 1,352, whereas mean biweekly numbers declined from 791 to 353. Management changes included roost site drying and flooding of a primary feeding area; disturbance factors included cattle herding through a loafing site and dump trucks traveling through …

A Fresh Look At The Taxonomy Of Midcontinental Sandhill Cranes, Douglas H. Johnson, Jane E. Autin, Jill A. Shaffer

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The midcontinental population of sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) includes about 500,000 birds and provides valuable recreational crane-watching and hunting opportunities in Canada and the United States. It comprises three subspecies, one of which (G. c. rowani) was of uncertain taxonomic status and another of which (G. c. tabida) merited protection from excessive harvest due to its small population size. We obtained measurements of cranes used by Johnson and Stewart (1973) and additional crane specimens to 1) evaluate the subspecies designation of midcontinental sandhill cranes and 2) to seek improved methods for classifying cranes from …

Breeding Biology Of Re-Introduced Non-Migratory Whooping Cranes In Florida, Martin J. Folk, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Stephen T. Schwikert, James A. Schmidt, Kathleen A. Sullivan, Thomas J. Miller, Stephen B. Baynes, Jeannette M. Parker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In the face of record-setting drought, the re-introduced flock of non-migratory whooping cranes in Florida has shown slow but steady progress toward achieving the first natural recruitment to the flock. Fourteen nests were initiated between 1999 and 2002. Two clutches have hatched a total of 4 chicks and 1 chick was raised to fledging. Captive-raised, soft-released whooping cranes have shown that they are capable of forming pair bonds, defending territories, building nests, laying fertile eggs, and hatching and rearing young. The key to the success of the project will be to have enough pairs producing enough young to offset annual …

Resolutions Passed By The North American Crane Working Group

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

FRESHWATER INFLOWS FOR CONSERVATION OF BLUE CRABS AND WHOOPING CRANES Research has shown that whooping cranes require abundant blue crab populations on which to forage to meet their energy needs. The NACWG urges the Texas Council of Environmental Quality to grant a water right to the San Marcos River Foundation at the maximum level requested (1.15 million acre-feet) to provide freshwater inflows for conservation purposes as identified in a study conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. These inflows would increase blue crab populations, keep the bays and marshes productive in whooping crane critical habitat at Aransas, and help …

Testing A West Nile Virus Vaccine In Sandhill Cranes (Grus Canadensis), Glenn H. Olsen, Kimberli Miller, Douglas Docherty, Louis Sileo

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Eight sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) were vaccinated with a commercial equine West Nile virus vaccine (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA) at the USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA. Three doses of the vaccine were given, the first dose (day 0) was followed by a second 21 days later and the third dose 7 days after the second day 28 after the first dose). All doses were 0.50 ml. In addition, 5 sandhill cranes were given injections of similar amounts of sterile water on the same schedule. Blood for complete blood counts, serum chemistries, …