Population Biology Commons^™

Introduction Of Whooping Cranes In Eastern North America, James C. Lewis, F. Graham Cooch

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) historically occurred throughout most of North America. A migration route last used prior to 1857 crossed the Appalachians to Atlantic Coast wintering grounds in coastal areas of New Jersey, South Carolina and river deltas farther south. The species disappeared from most eastern North American locations in the late 1800's. The winter 1987 population consisted of 43 captive birds and 154 in 2 wild subpopulations. Pursuant to both Canadian and u.s. recovery plans, sites in Michigan-Ontario, Georgia and Rorida are being considered as potential release locations for establishing an eastern population. Cross-fostering, gentle release and …

Mortality In Fledged Whooping Cranes Of The Aransas/Wood Buffalo Population, James C. Lewis, Ernie Kuyt, Kenneth E. Schwindt, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

A total of 1,893 whooping cranes (Grus americana) overwintered at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge from 1950 through spring 1987. Winter losses (dead and disappeared) amounted to only 1.3% of the population, but 3.7% of the juveniles. About 19% of the annual losses occurred in the wintering area where birds spend 5 to 6 months of the year. Eighty-one percent of the losses occurred from April to November. Losses on the summering area appear to be low. The most significant losses seem to occur during migration and may comprise between 60 and 80% of the annual losses. Migration involves …

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.

Mate Recognition And Fidelity In Captive Sandhill Cranes, Peter W. Shannon

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Two pairs of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were maintained at Audubon Park Zoo in separate but adjacent exhibits. The male of pair #2 was killed and due to medical problems associated with the female of pair #1, male #1 and female #2 were placed together. These birds subsequently bonded but did not nest. Following a 17 month separation, female #1 was moved to an area where she could hear but not see male #1 and female #2 . Almost immediately, male #1 began attempting to move himself closer to female #1 . They were placed together, …

Crane Migration In Northern New Mexico, Dale W. Stahlecker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) and foster-reared whooping cranes (G. americana) were monitored on a 345 km migration between their traditional stopover in southcentral Colorado and their winter grounds in central New Mexico during 4 autumns (1984-87) and 1 spring (1985). Autumn sandhill crane counts totaled 17,363 in 1984, 9,317 in 1985, 29,053 in 1986, and 26,552 in 1987. Peak flights of over 7,000 cranes in 1 day were recorded in both 1986 and 1987. More than 50% of the cranes were counted on just 4 days in 1984, 1986 and 1987. At least 27% …

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.

Renesting Of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes In Jackson County, Mississippi 1965-1989, Jacob M. Valentine Jr.

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Among 118 active nests of Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) in Jackson County, Mississippi, 1%5-1989, 13 were renests. Three chicks from 19 wild and 3 from 3 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) switched eggs hatched in 13 first nests, but 5 died early and 1 after 2 weeks. Ten eggs were dead (infertile or the embryos died) in or at the nest. Two clutches (3 eggs) were destroyed by mammalian predators, 2 eggs were taken for captive propagation, and 1 was pecked and destroyed by the crane pair. Three chicks hatched from 22 wild eggs and 1 …

Sandhill Crane Collisions With Power Lines In Southcentral Nebraska, John P. Ward, Stanley H. Anderson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) collisions with power lines were studied in southcentral Nebraska in 1986 and 1987. Approximately 596 km of power lines were surveyed for dead cranes in 1986, and 210 km of power lines in 1987. A total of 135 dead cranes were located. Cranes collided 4 times more with transmission lines than distribution lines, although distribution lines were twice as abundant. We believe cranes collided with the static wires on the transmission lines. Juveniles and Canadian sandhill cranes (G.c. rowani) had a higher probability of colliding with power lines than other age groups …

Individual Identification And Sex Determination Of Whooping Cranes By Analysis Of Vocalizations, Glenn Carlson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

I analyzed 3 temporal and 2 frequency features of whooping crane (Grus americana) guard calls from 4 locations to determine if vocalizations could be used as a means of sex determination and individual identification in this species. Wild birds were recorded at Grays Lake, Idaho, and Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, and captive birds were recorded at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Maryland, and the International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin. Discriminant analysis provided an overall success rate of 98.8% in classifying individual calls to the appropriate sex of Whooping crane. This success rate is comparable to that of the current …

Capturing Whooping Cranes And Sandhill Cranes By Night-Lighting, Roderick C. Drewien, Kent R. Clegg

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We caught 19 adult (> 1.5 years old) whooping craoes (Grus americana) in 84 capture attempts (23 % success) by nightlighting during 1981-91 in Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico, including 17 for experimental purposes and 2 that were debilitated (aviao cholera aod lead poisoning). We also captured 250 greater saodhill craoes (G. canadensis tabida), including 157 adults aod 93 juveniles, on summer areas at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Idaho, to color-mark them for behavioral and movement studies. Night-lighting equipment included an 8.5-kg portable generator mounted on an aluminum back-pack frame and a 12- or 28-V …

Black-Necked Cranes Nesting In Tibet Autonomous Region, China, Nancy C. Dwyer, Mary Anne Bishop, Jim S. Harkness, Zhang Yao Zhong

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Between 7 May and 5 August 1991 we counted 298 black-necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) on breeding grounds in central and southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). We confirmed breeding for 32 pairs: we found 17 nests at 8 wetland sites and 15 broods of 25 chicks, including 5 transitional fledglings. Mean altitude of nest wetlands was 4694 m. Nest height averaged 21.3 em above water, and water depth averaged 14.8 em. Black-necked cranes nested a mean of 140.5 m from uplands and 803 m from potential disturbance such as a road or dwelling. Mean nest initiation date was 28 …

Population Recovery Of The Whooping Crane With Emphasis On Reintroduction Efforts: Past And Future, David H. Ellis, James C. Lewis, George F. Gee, Dwight G. Smith

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began building a captive whooping crane (Grus americana) colony at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (patuxent), Maryland, in 1966. From 1976 to 1984, 73 eggs from this colony and 216 eggs from Wood Buffalo National Park (Wood Buffalo), Canada, nests were placed in sandhill crane (G. canadensis) nests at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Grays Lake), Idaho, the site of the first whooping crane reintroduction attempt. Although 84 chicks fledged from the 289 eggs, the egg transfer program has been discontinued because of inordinately high mortality (only ca. 13 birds remain …

Satellite Telemetry Reveals Winter Home Of Eurasian Crane From Northwestern Siberia, David H. Ellis, Yuri M. Markin, Charles H. Vermillion, Charles M. Hoisington, Alexander G. Sorokin, Grey W. Pendleton

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Satellite telemetry is a developing technology for the study of crane migration. A greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) was tracked by satellite from Florida to Michigan in March 1989 (Nagendran 1992). This note reports the second attempt to use satellite telemetry to follow crane migration. In 1989 -90, tests of various harness and backpack designs for satellite telemetry transmitters (PTT's) with free-flying and confined sandhill cranes led to a 4-strap design (see Olsen et al. 1992) that was accepted for field testing. Through a cooperative effort between the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (USFWS) , International Crane Foundation, …

Techniques For Rearing And Releasing Nonmigratory Cranes: Lessons From The Mississippi Sandhill Crane Program, David H. Ellis, Glenn H. Olsen, George F. Gee, Jane M. Nicolich, Kathleen E. O'Malley, Meenakshi Nagendran, Scott G. Hereford, Peter Range, W. Thomas Harper, Richard P. Ingram, Dwight G. Smith

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Captive-reared Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) reared at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (patuxent) have been released at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge (MSCNWR) since 1981. Of 131 birds released through December 1990, 103 were reared by foster parents. The remaining 28 were experimentally hand-reared in 1989 and 1990. After refining release procedures, parent-reared birds have integrated into the wild flock, many have survived, and some have bred. Releases of hand-reared cranes elsewhere in the 1970's were largely unsuccessful. at least in part due to the lack of a lengthy acclimation period. A new hand-rearing …

Characteristics Of Whooping Crane Roost Sites In The Platte River, Craig A. Faanes, Douglas H. Johnson, Gary R. Lingle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The Big Bend of the Platte River in centraJ Nebraska provides important migration habitat for whooping cranes (Grus americana). River profiles were obtained at 23 confumed nocturnal roost sites occupied by whooping cranes during 1983 -90. Whooping cranes selected roost sites that had shallower water depths than at unused sites. All but 4 roosts were located in channels wider than 150 m; roost sites were an average of 27.8 % of the channel width from the nearer shore. Nearly 90% of the roost sites had a trench of deeper water on both sides. Proper management of the Platte …

Whooping Cranes In Southwest Louisiana: History And Human Attitudes, Gay M. Gomez

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

When whooping cranes (Grus americana) inhabited southwest Louisiana's coastal marshes, residents viewed them as a food source and a crop pest, and shooting was commonplace. Local attitudes have changed as a result of education, stricter law enforcement, and decreased dependence on wildlife for subsistence, but hunting remains widespread. A 1977 proposal to reintroduce whooping cranes to southwest Louisiana generated strong opposition from the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission (now Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries), based on concerns about critical habitat and its likely impact on waterfowl hunting and other traditional marsh uses. These concerns remain, though …

Managing Nature Reserves For Cranes In China, James Harris

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

During the past 15 years, China has established more than 300 nature reserves. Many of the wetland reserves have been created primarily to protect endangered cranes. This paper summarizes the status of 22 nature reserves, 13 for breeding cranes and 9 for wintering cranes. The nature reserves have often been established in areas heavily populated or intensively used for economic purposes. Many reserves have been effective in stopping hunting of cranes. Taking of eggs or young has also been greatly reduced, but general human disturbances threaten successful nesting. Reserve authorities have also taken steps to prevent destruction or degradation of …

Whooping Crane Response To Disturbances At The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Thomas E. Lewis, R. Douglas Slack

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Many forms of disturbance on and near the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge cause disruptions to wintering whooping cranes (Grus americana). Known forms of disturbance include various boating, aircraft, and automobile traffic. Natural disturbance from other wildlife also occurs. Behavioral observations and disturbance documentation have shown that Whooping cranes respond differently to various disturbances. Although airplane overflights, recreational boating, barge traffic. and workboat activity represent the most frequent disturbances to whooping cranes (22, 19, 14, and 13 %, respectively, of total disturbances), it appears that frequency of occurrence is less important than the disturbance class and distance from the …

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 …

Behavior Of Sandhill Cranes Near Power Lines Marked With Yellow Aviation Balls, Anne E. Morkill, Stanley H. Anderson

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The principal known cause of mortality for wild whooping cranes (Grus americana) is collision with powerlines. Methods to minimize powerline collisions will contribute to the species' long term recovery. We studied the flight behavior of sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) near powerlines marked with yellow aviation balls near the Platte River, Nebraska, in 1988-90. An age ratio of 24 juveniles:76 adults of 84 carcasses found under powerlines was significantly different from typical population ratios of 12: 88 for this species. Two-way contingency table analysis of crane flight behavior data indicated that cranes avoided markers (P < 0.(01), reducing the potential for collision. Proximity ofpowerlines to habitats used by cranes (P < 0.001), wind speed (P < 0.05), and age of bird (P < 0.(01) were important factors contributing to crane collisions with powerlines in Nebraska. Details are available in Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19(4):442-449.

Satellite Tracking Of A Greater Sandhill Crane, Meenakshi Nagendran

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The first satellite transmitter (PTT) to be used on a wild crane was deployed on an isolation-reared greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) colt in south Texas on 6 November 1988. The 160-g transmitter required more than 8 hours of direct sunlight for the solar cells to recharge the NiCad battery power supply. Signal repetition rate was once every 60 seconds. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency satellites in polar orbits, equipped with Argos instruments, received PIT signals via a doppler shift mechanism. Information included location of PTT (bird), long-term activity, short-term activity, and ambient temperature. The crane colt …

Sandhill Crane Habitat Use In Northeastern Utah And Southwestern Wyoming, Donald E. Mcivor, Michael R. Conover

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Patterns of habitat use by greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were examined during April-July 1991 when crop damage attributed to cranes normally occurs. We conducted surveys weekJy along 37-km transects in Cache Valley, Utah, and bi-weekly in the Bear River Valley in Rich County, Utah, and Lincoln County. Wyoming. During the surveys, we sighted 1,235 cranes in 165 separate groups in pasture (55%), small grains (19%), riparian (8%), alfalfa (6%), corn (3%), and miscellaneous (9%) habitats. Cranes did not use habitats in proportion to their availability (P < 0.0005); they fed more in small grain fields and pasture-hay habitats. Depredations attributed to cranes have been reported in Cache Valley corn crops in spring and in Bear River Valley small grain crops in fall. Farmers with chronic depredation problems in small grains and corn may wish to cultivate crops less preferred by cranes.

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 …

Behavior Of Sandhill Cranes Harnessed With Different Satellite Transmitters, Glenn H. Olsen, David H. Ellis, Steven E. Landfried, Linda M. Miller, Susan S. Klugman, Charles H. Vermillion

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The effectiveness of various attachment methods and designs of platform transmitting terminals (PIT's) was tested on captive sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, during 1989-91. Combinations of attachment and transmitter designs included neoprene cord harness with batteries separate from the transmitter (2 harness designs), Teflon ribbon harness with batteries incorporated into the transmitter package (4 transmitter models), and a package attached directly to the bird with epoxy glue only. Physical effects seen on cranes wearing PTT's ranged from skin lacerations (caused by rubbing of harness material) to no observed effects (other than …

Resolutions Passed By The North American Crane Working Group Sixth North American Crane Workshop, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

ACCELERATED RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR MIGRATORY SHORE AND UPLAND GAME BIRDS

Whereas, the Accelerated Research Program for Migratory Shore and Upland Game Birds supported substantial research on cranes in North America prior to the early 1980's, and Whereas, population and habitat management techniques require additional research, and Whereas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service retains a mandate to properly manage migratory shore and upland game birds, Therefore, be it resolved that the North American Crane Working Group supports the reinstatement of the Accelerated Research Program for Migratory Shore and Upland Game Birds by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with annual …

Food And Feeding Habits Of Released Florida Sandhill Cranes, Christine R. Rucker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Food habits of 4 pairs of free-ranging Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, were studied from May to October 1990. Food items were identified and quantified at close range « 10 m). The 4 pairs varied in how they used plant and animal resources (P < 0.0001). Animal material in the diets averaged 19.1 % and ranged from 13.4 to 36.7%. Plant material averaged 80.9% in the pairs' diets. Major foods included subsurface bulbs, roots, and tubers of yellow star grass (Hypoxis micrantha), catbrier (Smilax glauca), and false garlic (Allium bivalva), longleaf pine seeds (Pinus palustris), and insects. Food habits shifted seasonally for all pairs (P < 0.(001). In July and August the percent occurrences of yellow star grass and false garlic in the diets were > 50 %. During September and October pine seed occurrence was > 75 % in the diets of …

Unusual Movements And Behaviors Of Color-Banded Whooping Cranes During Winter, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Color-banding of whooping cranes (Grus americana) has allowed individual recognition of >45% of the population between 1985 and 1990 and has provided the opportunity to monitor individual movements and behaviors. Unusual occurrences have included: 5 whooping crane juveniles that separated from their parents prior to reaching the wintering grounds, a sandhill crane (G. canadensis) juvenile wintering with a whooping crane pair, whooping cranes that oversummered at Aransas, a widowed crane that paired with a new mate within 48 hours, 2 cranes that did not reach the wintering grounds until 3 years of age, a known nesting …

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 …

Autumn Sandhill Crane Migration In Southeastern Oregon, Carroll D. Littlefield

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Each autumn, from 2,000 to 3,000 greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) of the Central Valley Population congregate on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Migratory behavIor, flock SIzes and arrivals and departures from this important autumn use area were observed for 13 years (1970-1986). Average size of flocks arriving from the north was 15.7, with those arriving from the southwest averaging 7.4. Flocks departing for California wintering areas averaged 9.2, but as smaller groups merged, flock , sizes increased to 24.8 (35 km southwest from the departure area). Most flIghts were at speeds ra~?mg from 56 to 88 kmh-l, …

Prevention Of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus In Captive Cranes, James W. Carpenter, Douglas M. Watts, C. L. Crabbs, Gary G. Clark, Thomas W. Scott, Douglas Docherty, Benedict B. Pagac, Jeannine M. Dorothy, James G. Olson, F. Joshua Dein

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

An epizootic of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus infection in 1984 resulted in death for 7 of 39 captive whooping cranes (Grus americana) at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. This represented the first known whooping crane deaths associated with this arboviral disease and posed a serious risk to the continued propagation of this endangered species. Subsequent research and surveillance procedures initiated to prevent EEE viral infections in captive whooping cranes included vector surveillance and control, virus surveillance through use of sentinel birds, immunoassays for rapid detection of EEE virus antigen in bird sera and in mosquitoes, and testing …