Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Do Movement Patterns And Habitat Use Differ Between Optimal- And Suboptimal-Sized Northern Bobwhite Coveys?, Christopher K. Williams, Roger Applegate, Anthony R. Ives

National Quail Symposium Proceedings

The group size of social animals and spatial structure of the environment can affect group behavior and movement decisions. Our objective was to investigate movement patterns and habitat use of northern bobwhite coveys (Colinus virginianus) of different size. Using radiotelemetry, we continuously monitored covey group size, daily movement, and habitat use on 12 independent 259-ha study areas in eastern Kansas, USA, during the winters between 1997 and 2000. We used correlated random walk models and fractal dimension models to determine if covey size affected movement characteristics or habitat selection. Intermediate-sized coveys (9–12 individuals, close to optimal covey size) …