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Full-Text Articles in Population Biology
Safety Of West Nile Virus Vaccines In Sandhill Crane Chicks, Glenn H. Olsen, Kimberli J. Miller, Douglas E. Docherty, Valerie Bochsler
Safety Of West Nile Virus Vaccines In Sandhill Crane Chicks, Glenn H. Olsen, Kimberli J. Miller, Douglas E. Docherty, Valerie Bochsler
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
West Nile virus arrived in North America in 1999 and has spread across the continent in the ensuing years. The virus has proven deadly to a variety of native avian species including sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis). In order to provide safe and efficacious protection for captive and released populations of whooping cranes (G. americana), we have conducted a series of four research projects. The last of these was a study of the effects of two different West Nile virus vaccines on young Florida sandhill crane (G. c. pratensis) chicks and subsequent challenge with the virus. …
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.
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 …
A Fresh Look At The Taxonomy Of Midcontinental Sandhill Cranes, Douglas H. Johnson, Jane E. Autin, Jill A. Shaffer
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 …
Testing A West Nile Virus Vaccine In Sandhill Cranes (Grus Canadensis), Glenn H. Olsen, Kimberli Miller, Douglas Docherty, Louis Sileo
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, …
New Locations And Range Extension Of Wintering Sandhill Cranes In Central Northern Mexico, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez
New Locations And Range Extension Of Wintering Sandhill Cranes In Central Northern Mexico, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The overall distribution of wintering sandhill cranes in Mexico has been reported and summarized in several prior documents. However, most reports are associated with counts or surveys primarily conducted for wintering waterfowl. Recent (1999- 2002) reports compiled from local researchers show, that wintering sandhill cranes are distributed much more widely in northern Mexico than is currently reported in the literature. The new locations reported here are primarily in the eastern portion of the Mexican Altiplano, in the states of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, and in the southern portions of the Chihuahuan Desert Region in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Most …
Evidence Of A Decline In Fat Storage By Midcontinental Sandhill Cranes In Nebraska During Spring: A Preliminary Assessment, Gary L. Krapua, David A. Brandt, Deborah A. Buhl, Gary W. Lingle
Evidence Of A Decline In Fat Storage By Midcontinental Sandhill Cranes In Nebraska During Spring: A Preliminary Assessment, Gary L. Krapua, David A. Brandt, Deborah A. Buhl, Gary W. Lingle
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
When an ice storm killed an estimated 2,000 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) in Nebraska on 24 March 1996, we retrieved the fresh carcasses of 118 adults to test for a decline in the condition of spring-staging cranes from that date in 1978 and 1979. We first conducted a principle component analysis on 3 morphological variables (tarsus, exposed culmen, and wing chord [flattened]) and used the first principal component (PC1) as an index of body size. Then, to account for variation in body mass due to size, we regressed body mass on …
Morbidity And Mortality Factors In Pre-Fledged Florida Sandhill Crane (Grus Canadensis Pratensis) Chicks, Robert J. Dusek, Marilyn G. Spalding, Donald J. Forrester, Nicholas Komar, Jonathan F. Day
Morbidity And Mortality Factors In Pre-Fledged Florida Sandhill Crane (Grus Canadensis Pratensis) Chicks, Robert J. Dusek, Marilyn G. Spalding, Donald J. Forrester, Nicholas Komar, Jonathan F. Day
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
One hundred and fifteen Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks were captured in Osceola and Lake Counties, Florida in 1998 - 2000 and examined for evidence of disease. Evidence of Eimeria gruis and/or E. reichenowi infection was found in 52% of chicks examined. Ten chicks were positive for antibodies to St. Louis encephalitis virus and 1 of these chicks was also positive for antibodies to eastern equine encephalitis virus. Predation was the most commonly identified cause of mortality. An unidentified microfilaria, and an unknown protozoan were detected in blood smears from crane chicks. A number of other …
Nesting Ecology And Productivity Of The Cuban Sandhill Crane On The Isle Of Youth, Cuba, Xiomara Galvez Aguilera, Vicente Berovides Alvarez, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez
Nesting Ecology And Productivity Of The Cuban Sandhill Crane On The Isle Of Youth, Cuba, Xiomara Galvez Aguilera, Vicente Berovides Alvarez, Felipe Chavez-Ramirez
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We studied nesting ecology and productivity of the Cuban sandhill crane in the Isle of Youth Cuba between 1997-2003. The nesting season extended from late march through June, but due to variable weather conditions could begin in February or extend through July. Overall, 71.1% of nests located produced eggs, while 84.1% of nests with eggs hatched at least one chick. Mean clutch size was 1.72 eggs. There were significant differences in hatching rates (G = 19.05, P < 0.01) and successful nests between years (G = 9.59, P < 0.10). Chicks/successful nest and rainfall during the breeding period (r = 0.6) were positively correlated. Percent successful nests was negatively correlated with total rainfall during the breeding season (r = -0.50). Causes of egg or nest failure included nest abandonment, predation, flooding, and infertility. In regards to breeding biology we recorded feather painting prior to nesting activity, false nests, and a re-nesting attempt after nest destruction. All nests were built on dry land. Cranes selected four of 11 habitat types present in the study area for nesting: open savannah (SNA) (24.2%), semi-closed natural savannah (SSC) (50.67%), open pine woodland (SPPA) (17.7%), and secondary savannah (SS) (7.7%). Palm density, seedlings, and forbs were lower at nest sites compared to random points, while ground cover of sand and litter was greater at nest sites. There were no significant differences in frequency of plant species among nest sites and random points (G = 3.78, P > 0.05). Tree species richness was less at nest sites, likely due to dominance of Tabebuia lepiodphylla and Byrsonima crassifolia species. Significant differences (G …
Capture Of Sandhill Cranes Using Alpha-Chloralose, Matthew A. Hayes, Barry K. Hartup, Jeanne Marie Pittman, Jeb A. Barzen
Capture Of Sandhill Cranes Using Alpha-Chloralose, Matthew A. Hayes, Barry K. Hartup, Jeanne Marie Pittman, Jeb A. Barzen
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
From 1990 – 2001, 188 captures of 166 different greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were made through the experimental use of alpha-chloralose (AC) in Wisconsin (Hayes et al., 2003). Captures occurred in August (n = 28, 15%), September (n = 136, 72%) and October (n = 24, 13%). Capture of all members in the target social group was relatively high (59%). Territorial pairs were captured more successfully (2 of 2 cranes were captured 69% of the time) than family groups (3 of 3 cranes were captured 50% of the time, and 4 of 4 cranes were captured …
Reintroduction Techniques: Post-Release Performance Of Sandhill Cranes (1) Released Into Wild Flocks And (2) Led On Migration By Ultralight Aircraft, Richard P. Urbanek, Joseph W. Duff, Scott R. Swengel, Lara E. A. Fondow
Reintroduction Techniques: Post-Release Performance Of Sandhill Cranes (1) Released Into Wild Flocks And (2) Led On Migration By Ultralight Aircraft, Richard P. Urbanek, Joseph W. Duff, Scott R. Swengel, Lara E. A. Fondow
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Two methods of reintroducing a migratory population of whooping cranes (Grus americana) were tested with costume/ isolation-reared juvenile greater sandhill cranes (G. canadensis tabida): (1) release into wild flocks during autumn staging and (2) leading on autumn migration by ultralight aircraft. Birds in the first group were released singly, and all integrated quickly into the wild flocks and adopted similar behavioral patterns. Birds in the second group were led to winter on an inland site on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Most of the birds led by ultralight aircraft remained in their juvenile cohort through the …
Migration Chronology, Routes, And Distribution Of Pacific Flyway Population Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Michael J. Petrula, Thomas C. Rothe
Migration Chronology, Routes, And Distribution Of Pacific Flyway Population Lesser Sandhill Cranes, Michael J. Petrula, Thomas C. Rothe
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Managers of migratory game birds require accurate information about bird movements to delineate populations, protect important habitats, and regulate harvest. Data describing movements of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) belonging to the Pacific Flyway Population (PFP) are lacking. We used satellite telemetry to monitor movements of PFP lesser sandhill cranes (Grus c. canadensis) captured in the upper Cook Inlet and Bristol Bay regions of Alaska. Satellite transmitters were deployed on 19 flightless young (colts) and 3 adults over 3-years (2000-2002). Chronology, routes, and stopover or staging areas were identified for fall and spring migration periods. On average, …
Nocturnal Roost Site Selection And Diurnal Habitat Use By Sandhill Cranes During Spring In Central Nebraska, Craig A. Davis
Nocturnal Roost Site Selection And Diurnal Habitat Use By Sandhill Cranes During Spring In Central Nebraska, Craig A. Davis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
During spring 1998 and 1999, the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust conducted ground and aerial surveys of staging sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis; hereafter, cranes) to detennine roost site selection and habitat-use patterns along a l20-Ian stretch of the Platte River in south-central Nebraska. Cranes peaked at 232,023 during 22-28 March 1998 and 206,074 during 28 Februaty-6 March 1999 in the study area, a portion of the total crane staging area in the Platte River Valley. Diurnal observations showed that 48% of the cranes were in com fields, 34% in lowland grasslands, 13% in alfalfa fields, and 5% …
The One-By-One Method For Releasing Cranes, David H. Ellis, Daniel P. Mummert, Richard P. Urbanek, Matthew Kinloch, Carolee Mellon, Tressa Dolbeare, Damien P. Ossi
The One-By-One Method For Releasing Cranes, David H. Ellis, Daniel P. Mummert, Richard P. Urbanek, Matthew Kinloch, Carolee Mellon, Tressa Dolbeare, Damien P. Ossi
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Although the trend for the past 2 decades has been toward releasing naive groups of juveniles after a lengthy acclimation period, in 5 separate releases (1996-2000) we tested the idea that naive juvenile greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) would survive better if released singly into a wild flock of predator-wary birds than if left as a group, inexperienced at foraging and ill prepared to avoiding predators. We released 3 groups of hand-reared juveniles (n = 12 [1996]; n = 8 [1998], n = 12 [1999]) into a wild flock of sandhill cranes (ca 300 birds) on wintering …
The Use Of Radio Transmitters To Monitor Survival Of Sandhill Crane Chicks, Marilyn G. Spalding, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Stephen T. Schwikert, Robert J. Dusek
The Use Of Radio Transmitters To Monitor Survival Of Sandhill Crane Chicks, Marilyn G. Spalding, Stephen A. Nesbitt, Stephen T. Schwikert, Robert J. Dusek
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
To determine cause of death of Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis) chicks, in 1996-99 we glued shorttenn transmitters on newly hatched chicks. At about 10 days of age, these were replaced with surgically implanted subcutaneous transmitters in the field. Chicks were then recaptured at 55 to 65 days of age for more pennanent transmitters. This combination of transmitter configurations allowed us to track individuals through their rapid-growth period.
Use Of Traditional Indian Trapping Methods To Capture Sandhill Cranes, Scott G. Hereford, Tracy E. Grazia, Meenaksid Nagendran,, Ali Hussain
Use Of Traditional Indian Trapping Methods To Capture Sandhill Cranes, Scott G. Hereford, Tracy E. Grazia, Meenaksid Nagendran,, Ali Hussain
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The Mississippi sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pulla) is an endangered, nonmigratory subspecies of sandhill crane located only in Jackson County, Mississippi, on and adjacent to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Maintaining a marked population is essential to long-term monitoring efforts. Past trapping techniques such as walk-in traps and coffin traps were useful but not effective in capturing many cranes, wary of such obvious manmade devices. In 1998, refuge personnel recruited Master Bird Trapper, Ali Hussain from India, to demonstrate his low-tech, time-tested techniques. Hussain's traps such as the clap trap and nooses were highly portable, inexpensive, …
Models For The Adaptive Harvest Management Of Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes: Problems And Potential, William L. Kendall, Roderick C. Drewien
Models For The Adaptive Harvest Management Of Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes: Problems And Potential, William L. Kendall, Roderick C. Drewien
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The migratory Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of the greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) breeds primarily in river valleys, marshes, and meadows of western Montana and Wyoming, southeastern Idaho, northern Utah, and northwestern Colorado. The RMP winters primarily in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, with smaller concentrations in the southwestern parts of that state, southeastern Arizona, and the northern highlands of Mexico. The San Luis Valley of Colorado is used as a stopover in both the spring and fall migrations. The RMP has been hunted on a permit basis since 1981, and currently these cranes …
A Reintroduction Experiment Involving Mated Pairs Of Parent-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes In Northern Arizona, Daniel P. Mummert, David H. Ellis, Carol L. Chambers
A Reintroduction Experiment Involving Mated Pairs Of Parent-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes In Northern Arizona, Daniel P. Mummert, David H. Ellis, Carol L. Chambers
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
In April 1997, 4 mated pairs of adult greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were abrupt-released at Monnon Lake, Arizona. Five of 8 adult cranes died within 10 days of release. One crane flew from the release area within 10 days after release and was never relocated. One pair of cranes, with 1 pair member sustaining a broken wing 4 days after release, survived for 4 months and demonstrated the importance of maintaining pair bonds after release. The cause of death of at least 5 birds was predation. The high immediate mortality and complete long-term mortality experienced in …
Minimum Survival Rates For Mississippi Sandhill Cranes: A Comparison Of Hand-Rearing And Parent-Rearing, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Glenn H. Olsen, Scott G. Hereford, Jane M. Nicolich, Nancy J. Thomas, Meenakshi Nagendran
Minimum Survival Rates For Mississippi Sandhill Cranes: A Comparison Of Hand-Rearing And Parent-Rearing, David H. Ellis, George F. Gee, Glenn H. Olsen, Scott G. Hereford, Jane M. Nicolich, Nancy J. Thomas, Meenakshi Nagendran
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Hand-reared (56) and parent-reared (76) juvenile Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) were produced at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (patuxent), Laurel, Maryland over a 4-year period (1989-92) and released at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), Gautier, Mississippi in a controlled experiment. Hand-reared survival rates proved higher than for parent-reared survival for each time category: 6 months, 86% versus 75%; 1 year, 77% versus 68%; 2 years, 66% versus 53%; 3 years, 55% versus 43%: partial data for fourth and fifth years were 57% versus 31 % and 48% versus 37%.
Developing A Migratory Whooping Crane Flock, Robert H. Horwich
Developing A Migratory Whooping Crane Flock, Robert H. Horwich
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Research on crane reintroductions within the last 15 years has produced information necessary to effect a successful reintroduction of a migratory whooping crane (Grus americana) flock. There are 4 main problems to solve for such a reintroduction: (1) inducing a high survival rate of the reintroduced cranes, (2) encouraging normal reproduction with conspecifics, (3) teaching the reintroduced cranes the migration route, and (4) inducing fear of humans in the reintroduced cranes. Use of an isolation-rearing method by the author, using puppets, sounds, and costumes, has led to a consistent, over 80%, survival rate for the reintroduced young cranes …
Continuing Studies Of Ultralight Aircraft Applications For Introducing Migratory Populations Of Endangered Cranes, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis
Continuing Studies Of Ultralight Aircraft Applications For Introducing Migratory Populations Of Endangered Cranes, Kent R. Clegg, James C. Lewis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
This research tested whether captive-reared cranes led by an ultralight aircraft (UL) along a migration route, would, after release on a wintering area, integrate with wild cranes and migrate in spring to their natal area without human assistance. This was the historical first motorized migration involving an endangered species. In 1997, whooping cranes (Grus americana) and greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were group-reared in species-specific pens and 80% fledged. Beginning 13 October, 4 whooping cranes and 8 sandhill cranes were led along a 1, 133-km migration route from Grace, Idaho, to Bosque del Apache National …
Promoting Wildness In Sandhill Cranes Conditioned To Follow An Ultralight Aircraft, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, Daniel T. Sprague, David H. Ellis
Promoting Wildness In Sandhill Cranes Conditioned To Follow An Ultralight Aircraft, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, Daniel T. Sprague, David H. Ellis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
During the 1998 field season, we developed and tested a new protocol to teach sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) to follow ultralight aircraft yet avoid humans. Although successful in teaching the cranes a migration route, our previous migration (1997) resulted in birds that were overly tame and sought association with humans. For this study, 16 sandhill cranes were costume-reared at USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and transported to Ontario shortly before fledging. After the birds learned to follow the aircraft, 14 were transported to an isolated wintering site in South Carolina, 1300 km south of the training area. Twelve …
Status Of Sandhill Cranes In Indiana, John S. Castrale, James Bergens
Status Of Sandhill Cranes In Indiana, John S. Castrale, James Bergens
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Historically, the sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) was considered a common migrant throughout Indiana and a locally abundant breeding bird in northwestern Indiana until 1929. Most of the Eastern Population of greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida) is thought to congregate each fall at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area before migrating to Florida and Georgia. Systematic weekly fall counts began in 1967 and annual peak numbers have increased from 2,500 in 1967 to 27,600 in 1997, with a record count of 32,600 in 1991. Fall migrants are noticeable by late September, peak in mid-October through mid-November, and …
Tracking Sandhill Crane Migration From Saskatchewan To The Gulf Coast, Dale G. Hjertaas, David H. Ellis, Brian W. Johns, Stacie L. Moon
Tracking Sandhill Crane Migration From Saskatchewan To The Gulf Coast, Dale G. Hjertaas, David H. Ellis, Brian W. Johns, Stacie L. Moon
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Four adult sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis rowani) were captured in east-central Saskatchewan, equipped with transmitters, and tracked by satellite to detennine if their migration routes and wintering areas would allow their use as guide birds to establish a new migratory flock of whooping cranes (G. americana). Two birds captured near Yorkton died or their transmitters were lost before migration. Two adults from the Overflowing River moved to staging areas in southern Saskatchewan in September. By 29 September, Crane A left Saskatchewan and moved to North Dakota where it remained until late October. By 21 December, it …
Fate Of The Survivors Of The 1995 And 1996 Arizona Trucking Migrations Of Costume-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes, Daniel P. Mummert, David H. Ellis, Carol L. Chambers
Fate Of The Survivors Of The 1995 And 1996 Arizona Trucking Migrations Of Costume-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes, Daniel P. Mummert, David H. Ellis, Carol L. Chambers
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
In 1995 and 1996, we trained 2 groups of costume-reared greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) (10 in 1995, 14 in 1996) to follow a truck. Thereafter we led 10 in 1995 and 12 in 1996 from Garland Prairie, northern Arizona, to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona (ca. 620 km). These techniques were being developed to create additional, disjunct populations of the whooping crane (G. americana). The cranes taught the migration route in 1995 did not follow the desired migration route in 1996 but did travel north 140 km along the route in …
Results Of The First Ultralight-Led Sandhill Crane Migration In Eastern North America, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, David H. Ellis
Results Of The First Ultralight-Led Sandhill Crane Migration In Eastern North America, Joseph W. Duff, William A. Lishman, Dewitt A. Clark, George F. Gee, David H. Ellis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
In 1997, we led 8 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) south from Ontario, Canada by ultralight aircraft to a wintering area near Warrenton, Virginia, an area without a wild population. Six others were transported south in a trailer in hopes they would return north with those that flew. The migration was 863 kIn long, included 14 stops, and took 21 days to complete. A1l13 SUIViving birds were wintered together. In March 1998, the surviving 7 "aircraft-led" birds departed the wintering site. The following day, 6 of the 7 were reported on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The flock …
Sandhill Crane Abundance At Grays Lake, Idaho, L J. Ball, Jane E. Austin, Adonia R. Henry
Sandhill Crane Abundance At Grays Lake, Idaho, L J. Ball, Jane E. Austin, Adonia R. Henry
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We initiated a study on the breeding ecology of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) in the Grays Lake basin ofIdaho in 1997. Interest in the status of crane populations at Grays Lake is high; consequently, we present preliminary information on estimated size of the population, changes since the 1970s, and potential environmental factors involved. Drewien (1973) counted an average of549 cranes in the spring and estimated 250 nesting pairs in 1970-71. Number of nesting pairs reportedly increased 33% (to 332) by 1982 in response to intensive management, then declined 40-60% by 1996 (Drewien 1997, and Homocker Wildlife …
Nesting Ecology Of Sandhill Cranes At Grays Lake, Idaho, Jane E. Austin, L. J. Ball, Adonia R. Henry
Nesting Ecology Of Sandhill Cranes At Grays Lake, Idaho, Jane E. Austin, L. J. Ball, Adonia R. Henry
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
We examined the nesting ecology of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) at Grays Lake, Idaho during 1997-99 to detennine the effects of nest-site characteristics and land use on crane nest success. These are preliminary results from 3 years of a 4-year study. Crane nests were located in portions of the Grays Lake basin from early May through late June each year (n = 131 in 1997; n = 131 in 1998; n = 143 in 1999). Apparent nest success varied among years (54% in 1997, 71% in 1998, and 53% in 1999; overall average of 59%). We …
Results Of The Second (1996) Experiment To Lead Cranes On Migration Behind A Motorized Ground Vehicle, David H. Ellis, Brian Clauss, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, R. Curt Mykut, Matt Shawkey, Daniel P. Mummert, Daniel T. Sprague, Catherine H. Ellis, F. Benjamin Trahan
Results Of The Second (1996) Experiment To Lead Cranes On Migration Behind A Motorized Ground Vehicle, David H. Ellis, Brian Clauss, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, R. Curt Mykut, Matt Shawkey, Daniel P. Mummert, Daniel T. Sprague, Catherine H. Ellis, F. Benjamin Trahan
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
Fourteen greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were trained to follow a specially-equipped truck and 12 were led along a ca 620-Ian route from Camp Navajo in northern Arizona to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge near the ArizonalMexico border. Ten survived the trek, 380 Ian of which were flown, although only a few cranes flew every stage of the route. Major problems during the migration were powerline collisions (ca 15, 2 fatal) and overheating (when air temperatures exceeded ca 25° C). The tenacity of the cranes in following both in 1995 and 1996 under unfavorable conditions (e.g., …
Population Genetics Of Midcontinent Sandhill Cranes, Jessica L. Petersen, Richard Bischof, Allen L. Szalanski
Population Genetics Of Midcontinent Sandhill Cranes, Jessica L. Petersen, Richard Bischof, Allen L. Szalanski
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
The Midcontinent Sandhill Crane Population is comprised of 3 subspecies, lesser (Grus canadensis canadensis), Canadian (G. c. rowani), and greater (G. c. tabida) sandhill cranes. In conjunction with the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, we studied the extent of genetic variation between and within each race of the Midcontinent Sandhill Crane Population. DNA was extracted from 150 feather and dried blood samples collected from 1995-99 from sandhill cranes in the Platte River Valley, central Nebraska. Parsimony and maximwn likelihood analysis of the mtDNA D-loop sequences (ca 675 bp amplified using PCR) from 29 …
A Comparison Of Behavior For Two Cohorts Of Captive-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes Released In Northern Arizona, Daniel P. Mummert, Carol L. Chambers, David H. Ellis
A Comparison Of Behavior For Two Cohorts Of Captive-Reared Greater Sandhill Cranes Released In Northern Arizona, Daniel P. Mummert, Carol L. Chambers, David H. Ellis
Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop
To determine how the behavior of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) changes according to time of year, time of day, and number of days after release, we observed the activities of 2 groups of captive-reared greater sandhill cranes at Mormon Lake, northern Arizona. The behaviors we compared were alert, loafing, sleeping, foraging, preening, locomotion, and other. We found costume-reared subadult greater sandhill cranes that were established at the study site for a year spent more time foraging and being alert towards predators than parent -reared juvenile greater sandhill cranes that were recently released from captivity. We also …