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Behavior and Ethology

Crane

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Photoperiod And Nesting Phenology Of Whooping Cranes At Two Captive Sites, Glenn H. Olsen Jan 2016

Photoperiod And Nesting Phenology Of Whooping Cranes At Two Captive Sites, Glenn H. Olsen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Increasing day length is considered to be a stimulus to breeding in many avian species in northern latitudes (Welty 1975). Crane species that breed in high latitudes include Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus), lesser sandhill crane (Grus canadensis canadensis), hooded crane (G. monacha), and whooping crane (G. americana). The first captive breeding records for hooded and Siberian cranes were induced with the use of artificially extended photoperiods (Mirande et al. 1996). Most likely, cranes that breed in mid-latitudes also respond to increasing daylight. In 1 study, captive greater sandhill cranes (G. c. …


Hematology Results From Experimental Exposure Of Sandhill Cranes To West Nile Virus, Glenn H. Olsen Jan 2016

Hematology Results From Experimental Exposure Of Sandhill Cranes To West Nile Virus, Glenn H. Olsen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

West Nile virus (WNV), a Flavivirus, was introduced into New York City in 1999 (Centers for Disease Control 1999, Enserink 1999). In the past decade the virus has spread across the continental United States and southern Canada, resulting in large numbers of deaths among native bird species (Anderson et al. 1999, Calle et al. 2000). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, is home to the world’s largest collection of cranes. These cranes are used for research and for reintroduction programs. As of 20 October 2016, this collection included 77 of the highly endangered whooping …


Past, Present, And Hypothetical Methods For Crane Reintroduction And Migration, David H. Ellis Jan 2005

Past, Present, And Hypothetical Methods For Crane Reintroduction And Migration, David H. Ellis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

In the early 1980’s the technique of releasing yearling parent-reared cranes was perfected with the Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla). In the late 1980’s, we discovered that hand-reared yearlings could also be released with good expectation of survival in both migratory and nonmigratory situations. In the mid-1990’s, efforts expanded in many directions including (1) the use of various types of motorized vehicles to lead migrations, (2) the release of juveniles one by one into wild flocks in autumn or winter, and (3) the release of adult pairs. Here I outline new and proven techniques and those likely …


Initial Training Of Cranes For An Airship Migration, David H. Ellis, Glenn H. Olsen, Jared Kwitowski Jan 2005

Initial Training Of Cranes For An Airship Migration, David H. Ellis, Glenn H. Olsen, Jared Kwitowski

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We describe the first year of our efforts to train cranes to accept the unnatural stimuli associated with being transported south in cages suspended beneath an airship. All 4 experimental cranes readily acclimated to entering a suspended cage and were trained to accept being jostled while in the cage, even when the cage was transported in the back of a pickup truck. With minor changes, the training protocol is ready for use in an actual airship migration.


Lessons From The Motorized Migrations, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Kent R. Clegg, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, William J. L. Sladen Jan 2001

Lessons From The Motorized Migrations, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Kent R. Clegg, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, William J. L. Sladen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Ten experiments have been conducted to determine if cranes can be led on migration and if those so trained will repeat migrations on their own. Results have been mixed as we have experienced the mishaps common to pilot studies. Nevertheless, we have learned many valuable lessons. Chief among these are that cranes can be led long distances behind motorized craft (air and ground), and those led over most or the entire route will return north come spring and south in fall to and from the general area of training. However, they will follow their own route. Groups transported south and …


Counting Cranes: How Much Effort Is Enough?, Douglas H. Johnson, Roderick C. Drewien, Douglas S. Benning Jan 2001

Counting Cranes: How Much Effort Is Enough?, Douglas H. Johnson, Roderick C. Drewien, Douglas S. Benning

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Accurate population estimates of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) are important because management decisions, such as establishing hunting regulations, are based on those estimates. Counts often are made during aerial surveys when the cranes are congregated. A complete census may be feasible if the area to be surveyed is small and adequate resources are available. For large areas, resources may be inadequate for a census so partial counts (sample surveys) are made. Because cranes are gregarious, the counts in a sample of units may contain either a disproportionately large, or a disproportionately small, fraction of the total, leading to …


Recommendations For The Attachment Of Satellite Transmitters To Cranes, David H. Ellis, Paul W. Howey, Gary L. Krapu Jan 2001

Recommendations For The Attachment Of Satellite Transmitters To Cranes, David H. Ellis, Paul W. Howey, Gary L. Krapu

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Recent advances in miniaturization of satellite transmitters have resulted in thumb-sized packages weighing less than 30 g. These are smaller than VHF radios routinely mounted on crane leg bands. With this development and with favorable signal reception results, there is no need for, and much to recommend against, the continued use of back-pack mounts. We provide details for leg-mount attachments.


Whooping Crane Mortality At Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1982-95, Glenn H. Olsen, Joanna A. Taylor, George F. Gee Jan 1997

Whooping Crane Mortality At Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1982-95, Glenn H. Olsen, Joanna A. Taylor, George F. Gee

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) have been reared at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center since 1966. During 1982-95 there were 103 mortalities caused by infectious and parasitic diseases (46%), trauma (21 %), anatomic abnormalities (17%), miscellaneous conditions (12 %) I and open or no diagnoses (5 %). The implications that disease may have on new whooping crane flocks in Florida and Canada are discussed, based on these mortality factors in captivity.


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 Jan 1992

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.


History And Economic Impact Of Crane-Watching In Central Nebraska, Gary R. Lingle Jan 1992

History And Economic Impact Of Crane-Watching In Central Nebraska, Gary R. Lingle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The first documentation of the Platte and North Platte rivers' importance to sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) dates from the late 1800's. Except for a few ornithologists, it was not until the mid-1970's that crane-watching became popular. During the last 10 years, this interest has become a multi-million dollar tourist industry that attracts people from around the globe who seek to witness this vernal spectacle of half a million cranes. More than half of the former riverine habitat has been abandoned by the cranes, largely because of irrigation and hydropower projects that drain the river and enable forests to …


Social Preference Of Four Cross-Foster Reared Sandhill Cranes, Thomas A. Mahan, Brenda S. Simmers Jan 1992

Social Preference Of Four Cross-Foster Reared Sandhill Cranes, Thomas A. Mahan, Brenda S. Simmers

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Four greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were hatched and reared individually by 4 non-sandhill crane pairs: 2 by white-naped crane (G. vipio) pairs, 1 by a Siberian crane (G. leucogeranus) pair, and 1 by a red-crowned crane (G. japonensis) pair. After 1 year the sandhill cranes (2 male and 2 female) were placed in enclosed pens adjacent to an oppositesexed, same-age bird of the foster species on 1 side and an opposite-sexed, same-age conspecific on the other side. Data were collected throughout 1 year and included proximity between test and choice …


Sexual Size Dimorphism And Size Indices Of Six Species Of Captive Cranes At The International Crane Foundation, Scott R. Swengel Jan 1992

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 …