Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Population Biology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Grus americana

1997

Articles 1 - 18 of 18

Full-Text Articles in Population Biology

Use Of Dredged Material To Construct Winter Whooping Crane Habitat, Darrell E. Evans, Thomas V. Stehn Jan 1997

Use Of Dredged Material To Construct Winter Whooping Crane Habitat, Darrell E. Evans, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and nearby coastal marshes serve as the winter home for the only natural flock of whooping cranes (Grus americana), In recent years shoreline erosion and the subsequent loss of wintering habitat have been observed on the refuge adjacent to the GulfIntracoastal Waterway (GIWW). In 1988 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) District, Galveston, Texas, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) entered into an informal agreement to attempt to slow shoreline/habitat loss on the refuge. Efforts to curtail habitat loss have included armoring the most erosive reaches with temporary concrete erosion control …


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.


Pair Formation By Color-Marked Whooping Cranes On The Wintering Grounds, Thomas V. Stehn Jan 1997

Pair Formation By Color-Marked Whooping Cranes On The Wintering Grounds, Thomas V. Stehn

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Observations were made of color-marked whooping cranes (Grus americana) at Aransas during the 1977-94 winters. Suhadult cranes wintered near their juvenile home ranges in flocks averaging 3.12 birds. One and 2 winters prior to nesting, subadults at Aransas tended to form duos apart from other subadults. Frequencies of association 1 year prior to nesting averaged 65.4%. However, 27.7 % of pair bonds (n = 18) formed during spring migration or on the breeding grounds without any observed prior association at Aransas. Sixty-eight banded cranes formed pairs. Pair members averaged 1.06 years difference in age. Winter territories of adults …


Food And Energy Intake Rates Of Wintering Whooping Cranes Foraging On Two Selected Food Items, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Jay T. Nelson, R. Douglas Slack Jan 1997

Food And Energy Intake Rates Of Wintering Whooping Cranes Foraging On Two Selected Food Items, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez, Jay T. Nelson, R. Douglas Slack

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Number, mass, and potential energy of food items consumed by wintering whooping cranes (Grus americana) foraging on blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and woltberry (Lycium carolinianum) fruit were estimated and compared between 2 consecutive winter periods. Mass consumed was determined through field observations by quantifying the number of items taken per unit time and the average, or modal, weight of each food item determined from collections. Gross energy intake was determined by calculating the product of mass consumed times gross energy (kJ/g) of each food item. Potential energy retained was calculated by determining metabolizable energy …


Use Of Ultralight Aircraft For Introducing Migratory Crane Populations, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis, David H. Ellis Jan 1997

Use Of Ultralight Aircraft For Introducing Migratory Crane Populations, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis, David H. Ellis

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were used as the research surrogate for whooping cranes (Grus americana) to determine if captive-reared cranes could be led by an ultralight aircraft (UL) along a migration route and if, after release on a wintering area, they would integrate with wild cranes and migrate north in spring to their natal area without assistance. In 1995, KRC raised 15 cranes to fledging and trained them to respond to his vocal imitation of a sandhill crane brood call. Chicks learned to follow him as he walked, drove an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) , …


Woody Vegetation Expansion And Continuing Declines In Open Channel Habitat On The Platte River In Nebraska, Paul J. Currier Jan 1997

Woody Vegetation Expansion And Continuing Declines In Open Channel Habitat On The Platte River In Nebraska, Paul J. Currier

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Aerial videography in 1988 and 1994 of the same selected segments of the Big Bend reach of the Platte River in central Nebraska was compared. During this 6-year period, channel area declined 4 to 41 % (median 26%). In river segments where the channel had already narrowed significantly and at sites where channel habitat is actively managed declines were less (17-18%). These substantial changes occurred during a time that included a relatively low flow period (1990-92). Flows during the summer gertttination and establishment period (mid-May through August) for cottonwood (Populus deltoides) and willow (Salix spp.), the …


Use Of Cross-Fostered Whooping Cranes As Guide Birds, Roderick C. Drewien, Wendy L. Munroe, Kent R. Clegg, Wendy M. Brown Jan 1997

Use Of Cross-Fostered Whooping Cranes As Guide Birds, Roderick C. Drewien, Wendy L. Munroe, Kent R. Clegg, Wendy M. Brown

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We tested the use of wild, cross-fostered, adult whooping cranes (Grus americana) as guide birds to adopt and lead young whooping cranes on a predetermined migration route in the Rocky Mountains. We captured 3 wild adults (1 male and 1 female in 1993, 1 male in 1994) during winter at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (Bosque NWR), New Mexico, and moved them to captive facilities 80 kIn from Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Grays Lake), Idaho, where they had originally been raised by sandhill crane (G. canadensis) foster parents. Adults were held for 6.75-7 …


Habitat Use By Migrant Whooping Cranes In Saskatchewan, Brian W. Johns, Eric J. Woodsworth, Ed A. Driver Jan 1997

Habitat Use By Migrant Whooping Cranes In Saskatchewan, Brian W. Johns, Eric J. Woodsworth, Ed A. Driver

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We investigated habitat use by migrating whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Saskatchewan between 1986 and 1990. At foraging and roosting sites and a sample of randomly selected sites we measured various habitat parameters. Palustrine and lacustrine wetlands were the most frequently used wetlands. Temporary and seasonal wetlands were the primary roost habitat during spring migration, and semi-permanent and permanent wetlands were frequently used during the fall. Cranes were attracted to areas of higher than average wetland density. Land use within 2 km of roost sites was intensively modified by man. Cereal crops were the most used feeding areas. …


Microsatellite Dna Loci For Genetic Studies Of Cranes, Travis C. Glenn, Ryan S. Ojerio, Wolfgang Stephan, Michael J. Braun Jan 1997

Microsatellite Dna Loci For Genetic Studies Of Cranes, Travis C. Glenn, Ryan S. Ojerio, Wolfgang Stephan, Michael J. Braun

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

MicrosateIIites are short tandem arrays of simple DNA sequences (e.g., [AC]n, where n ~ 10), which are often highly polymorphic among individuals. These repetitive elements are rapidly becoming the molecular genetic marker of choice for genetic mapping, parentage analyses, and fundamental popUlation genetics. We have isolated more than 50 microsatellite loci from the whooping crane (Grus americana). The microsatellites cloned from whooping cranes are unusually short and infrequent in comparison to other birds and especially so in comparison to mammals or reptiles. However, at least 13 of the 20 primer pairs developed amplify polymorphic loci. Paternity for …


A Reintroduction Technique For Migratory Birds: Leading Canada Geese And Isolation-Reared Sandhill Cranes With Ultralight Aircraft, William A. Lishman, Tighe L. Teets, Joseph W. Duff, William J. L. Sladen, Galvin G. Shire, Kirk M. Goolsby, Wayne A. Bezner Kerr, Richard Urbanek Jan 1997

A Reintroduction Technique For Migratory Birds: Leading Canada Geese And Isolation-Reared Sandhill Cranes With Ultralight Aircraft, William A. Lishman, Tighe L. Teets, Joseph W. Duff, William J. L. Sladen, Galvin G. Shire, Kirk M. Goolsby, Wayne A. Bezner Kerr, Richard Urbanek

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

No successful method for establishing self-sustaining populations of whooping cranes (Grus americana), particularly in a migration situation, has been proven. This research initiated development of a reintroduction technique using ultralight aircraft to lead cranes from a natal area along a desired route to a predetermined wintering site. Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were used in initial migration efforts. Ultralight aircraft and pilots successfully led 86 juvenile geese on 3 southbound migrations from Ontario to winter sites 640-1,312 kIn from the natal area. Of 16 1993-hatched geese that survived their first winter in Virginia and 35 1994- hatched …


An Experimental Release Of Whooping Cranes In Florida - The First Three Years, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Martin J. Folk, Marilyn G. Spalding, James A. Schmidt, Stephen T. Schwikert, Jane M. Nicolich, Marianne Wellington, James C. Lewis, Tom H. Logan Jan 1997

An Experimental Release Of Whooping Cranes In Florida - The First Three Years, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Martin J. Folk, Marilyn G. Spalding, James A. Schmidt, Stephen T. Schwikert, Jane M. Nicolich, Marianne Wellington, James C. Lewis, Tom H. Logan

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Fifty-two juvenile whooping cranes (Grus americana) were soft-released in Florida from February 1993 to April 1995. The birds were released in groups ranging in size from 5 to 14 individuals. The first-year survival rate was 0.42 for all years combined. First-year rates for each year were 0.36 for 1993, 0.32 for 1994, and 0.47 for 1995. Most mortality (62%) occurred during the first 3 months following release. The survival rate of 0.81 the second year after release was similar to that of Florida sandhill cranes (G. canadensis pratensis) (0.87). Predation by bobcats (Lynx rufus) …


Computer Simulations Of Possible Futures For Two Flocks Of Whooping Cranes, Claire M. Mirande, John R. Cannon, Kimberly Agzigian, Rozanne E. Bogart, Sarah Christiansen, Jason Dubow, A. Katya Fernandez, Dustin K. Howarth, Claudia Jones, Katherine G. Munson, Sonal I. Pandya, Gina Sedaghatkish, Kevin L. Skerl, Susan A. Stenquist, Jennifer Wheeler Jan 1997

Computer Simulations Of Possible Futures For Two Flocks Of Whooping Cranes, Claire M. Mirande, John R. Cannon, Kimberly Agzigian, Rozanne E. Bogart, Sarah Christiansen, Jason Dubow, A. Katya Fernandez, Dustin K. Howarth, Claudia Jones, Katherine G. Munson, Sonal I. Pandya, Gina Sedaghatkish, Kevin L. Skerl, Susan A. Stenquist, Jennifer Wheeler

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We conducted computer simulations using the program VORTEX (version 7) to project population sizes, growth rates, genetic diversity, and probabilities of extinction over the next 100 years for 2 flocks of whooping cranes (Grus americana), the Aransas/Wood Buffalo population and the experimental Florida population. Standard runs based on best estimates of demographic. genetic, and environmental parameter values were used as a baseline to which several alternative scenarios were compared. Results generally supported the conclusion of the earlier Population Viability Assessment (Mirande et al. 1991) that the AransaslWood Buffalo population will continue to grow steadily with less than a …


Harts Basin, Colorado: A Spring Migration Stopover Area For Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes And Whooping Cranes, Melvin K. Peterson, Roderick C. Drewien Jan 1997

Harts Basin, Colorado: A Spring Migration Stopover Area For Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes And Whooping Cranes, Melvin K. Peterson, Roderick C. Drewien

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) from the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) and whooping cranes (G. americana) reared by RMP foster parents were monitored during 1980-95 at a traditional spring migration stopover at Harts Basin in western Colorado. Counts during March and April 1986-93 showed that a mean of 10,656 RMP sandhill cranes stopped annually for 1 or more nights en route from their spring staging area in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, to summer grounds. More than 96% stopped between 11 March and 10 April. Count data indicated that > 50 % of the RMP stopped …


Avian Tuberculosis In A Whooping Crane: Treatment And Outcome, S. Bret Snyder, Michael J. Richard, Carol U. Meteyer Jan 1997

Avian Tuberculosis In A Whooping Crane: Treatment And Outcome, S. Bret Snyder, Michael J. Richard, Carol U. Meteyer

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

A whooping crane (Grus americana) confirmed as suffering from Mycobacterium avium infection was treated for 1 year with daily doses of rifampin (45 mg/kg) and ethambutol (30 mg/kg) and 2 doses of M. vaccae antigen. Remission of disease occurred during therapy; however, recrudescence to active infection was suspected by 10 months after the antitubercular drugs were discontinued when the crane exhibited weight loss and had thickening of bowel wall as seen on radiographs. A second therapeutic regimen using azithromycin was then initiated (40 mg/kg fed daily) and was accompanied by a second remission within 6 weeks. After 16 …


Summary Of Sandhill Crane Hunting Seasons In North Dakota, 1968-94, David E. Sharp, John E. Cornely Jan 1997

Summary Of Sandhill Crane Hunting Seasons In North Dakota, 1968-94, David E. Sharp, John E. Cornely

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The migratory Mid-continent Population (MCP), containing 3 subspecies, is the most numerous of all sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) populations. During fall the MCP uses major staging areas in the Canadian prairie provinces and northcentral United States. In North Dakota, sport hunting of the MCP resumed in 1968, after being closed during 1916-67. The resumption and expansion of crane hunting in North Dakota during 1968-94 followed a gradual panern of implementation. Subspecies considerations, the presence of whooping cranes (G. americana), crop depredation complaints. and public reaction influenced the geographic and temporal expansion of seasons. Harvests gradually increased …


Availability Of Stopover Habitat For Migrant Whooping Cranes In Nebraska, Dale W. Stahlecker Jan 1997

Availability Of Stopover Habitat For Migrant Whooping Cranes In Nebraska, Dale W. Stahlecker

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Four stratified random samples of 512 National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps within the central Nebraska portion of the Wood Buffalo-Aransas whooping crane (Grus americana) migration corridor were used to evaluate the availability of wetland roost sites. Wetlands were eliminated as potential roosts if visibility was obscured by vegetation or slope, if certain human activities occurred within 100-800 ro, or if water < 30 em deep was not available. Seasonal emergent wetlands, available as roosts primarily in spring, dominated all samples, particularly in the nortb. Sixty-five percent of all wetlands >0.04 ha passed map review and 52 % passed when ground-truthed. NWI map review was a good predictor of both suitability (63 % correct) and unsuitability (73 % correct). More than one-half of all open and emergent …


Metal Consumption By Whooping Cranes And Possible Zinc Toxicosis, Marilyn G. Spalding, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Martin J. Folk, Lee R. Mcdowell, Maria S. Sepulveda Jan 1997

Metal Consumption By Whooping Cranes And Possible Zinc Toxicosis, Marilyn G. Spalding, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Martin J. Folk, Lee R. Mcdowell, Maria S. Sepulveda

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Fourteen captive-reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) were transferred to a pen for soft-release in Florida. Nine were killed by predators within 6 months. We found metal objects in the stomachs of 6 of these 9 either by radiography or at necropsy. All 6 had elevated serum zinc (Zn) concentrations (x = 10.3 ± 2.7 flg/ml, range 7.2-14 .ug/ml) when compared to 3 without metal in their stomachs (X = 2.4 ± 0.92 flg/ml, range 1.6-3.4 J1.g/ml). We observed lethargy, abnormal posture, anemia, and elevated white blood cell counts in 2 cranes at or near the time of elevated …


Identification Of Potential Reintroduction Sites For Whooping Cranes In The Prairie Provinces Of Canada, Dale G. Hjertaas, Brian W. Johns, Wendy J. Lyon Jan 1997

Identification Of Potential Reintroduction Sites For Whooping Cranes In The Prairie Provinces Of Canada, Dale G. Hjertaas, Brian W. Johns, Wendy J. Lyon

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Action 2.3.3.2.2.1 of the national recovery plan for the whooping crane (Grus americana) calls for the establishment of an independent flock of whooping cranes in Canada, separate from the Wood Buffalo-Aransas flock, that attains a minimum of 25 breeding pairs by 2020 A. D. Potential reintroduction sites include the Prairie Provinces and possibly parts of western Ontario (Edwards et al. 1994). The first step in completing this action is to identify potential reintroduction sites in the 3 Prairie Provinces. We initially screened areas suggested to us by government and Ducks Unlimited biologists. The most important screening criteria were …