Behavior and Ethology Commons^™

Use Of Freshwater Ponds By Whooping Cranes During A Drought Period, Karis Ritenour, Elizabeth Smith, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) spend nearly half their annual cycle in coastal habitats within and around the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Complex (ANWRC) located in the central portion of the Texas Coast. When drought conditions prevail in their winter range and salinities in the local bays exceed 23 parts per thousand (ppt), whooping cranes must seek alternate sources of dietary drinking water (Stehn 2008, Chavez- Ramirez and Wehtje 2012). They begin frequent (often daily) trips to freshwater sources in upland areas. These trips may result in extra energy expenditures that can impact their overall health and ability to …

Proceedings Of The Thirteenth North American Crane Workshop, Abstracts, David A. Aborn, Richard P. Urbanek

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

AGE-SPECIFIC SURVIVAL OF GREATER SANDHILL CRANE COLTS IN NEVADA. Chad August, Jim Sedinger, and Chris Nicolai 111

WHOOPING CRANE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE? Jane Austin, Matthew Hayes, and Jeb Barzen 111

BEHAVIORAL MOVEMENTS OF ARANSAS-WOOD BUFFALO WHOOPING CRANES: ANOMALIES OR INDICATIONS OF WAYS TO FURTHER ENHANCE SPECIES RECOVERY. David Baasch, Mark Bidwell, Wade Harrell, Kris Metzger, Aaron Pearse, and Mary Harner 112

INFLUENCES ON NEST SUCCESS IN A REINTRODUCED POPULATION OF WHOOPING CRANES. Jeb Barzen, Sarah Converse, Peter Adler, Elmer Gray, Anne Lacy, Eva Szyszkoski, and Andrew Gossens 113

DETERMINING DIET COMPOSITION AND INGESTION RATE OF …

Size Difference In Whooping Cranes Reared For Two Reintroduction Methods, Richard P. Urbanek, Marianne M. Wellington, Sabrina Servanty

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We investigated a possible size difference in whooping cranes (Grus americana) captive-reared for 2 reintroduction methods to establish a migratory population in eastern North America. Cranes reared for ultralight aircraft-led migration (UL) to Florida were significantly larger than cranes reared for direct autumn release (DAR) on the natal area in central Wisconsin. Mean tarsal length was 315.5 ± 0.98 (1 SE) and 308.1 ± 1.87 mm, respectively, for UL and DAR males and 296.9 ± 1.03 and 290.8 ± 2.60 mm, respectively, for UL and DAR females. Because of the different rearing schedules, eggs for the DAR method …

Effects Of Wind Farms On Sand Hill Crane Play An Occupancy On The Texas High Plains, Laura Navarrete, Kerry L. Griffis-Kyle

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Wind energy is essential for a shift to carbon-emission free energy, however there has been very little research investigating the disturbance caused by wind farms on the landscape. Texas is a leading state in wind power capacity, and the High Plains of Texas support over 80% of the midcontinent population of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) every winter. Historically, cranes used saline lakes for fresh water and predator protection, but recent hydrological changes due to agricultural practices have reduced the availability of the lakes for wintering birds. Playa wetlands currently represent the main source of water and roosting habitat in the …

High Nest Density Of Sandhill Cranes In Central Wisconsin, Jeb A. Barzen, Liying Su, Anne E. Lacy, Andrew P. Gossens, Dorn M. Moore

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We conducted aerial surveys to determine nest locations of greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) in central Wisconsin, 2001-2003. Helicopter flights covered 8.90 km2 of wetlands in each year, and we found 41 nests in 2001, 50 nests in 2002, and 48 nests in 2003 from 11 wetlands. Our best estimate of nest density (n = 14) included wetlands containing 5 or more nests and averaged 5.25 ± 0.36 (1 SE) nests/km² of wetland. Maximum nest density of larger wetlands in any 1 year was 7.80 nests/km². As some nests had likely failed by …

Evaluation Of A Nutraceutical Joint Supplement In Cranes, Kendra L. Bauer, Ellen S. Dierenfeld, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Osteoarthritis is a problem that threatens the reproductive capabilities of captive populations of endangered cranes. In our pilot study, we used 5 cranes with a history of unilateral, chronic tarsal pathology in a cross-over design to gauge the effects of the primary ingredient (NEM®, ESM Technologies LLC, Carthage, MO) of the nutraceutical Steadfast® (Novus Nutrition Brands, LLC, St. Charles, MO). We evaluated the ingredient for acceptance, safety, and short-term efficacy. To evaluate efficacy, we collected goniometric measures to determine range of motion in each tarsal joint before and after a 5-week experimental period where NEM® was offered in pelleted feed. …

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 …

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. …

Differential Detection Of Territorial And Non-Territorial Greater Sandhill Cranes In Summer, Lindsey F. Mckinney, Jeb A. Barzen, Jason D. Riddle, Shelli A. Dubay, Tim F. Ginnett

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Abundance estimates allow wildlife managers to make informed management decisions, but differential detectability of individuals can lead to biased estimates of abundance. Our objective was to quantify detectability for non-territorial and territorial sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) during summer. We hypothesized that territorial sandhill cranes would be detected more often than non-territorial cranes. In 2009, 3 wetland areas were surveyed 2 days per week during the nesting season near Briggsville, Wisconsin. We created capture histories for color-marked territorial (n = 52) and color-marked nonterritorial cranes (n = 23) and used the Huggins closed capture model in …

Serum Chemistry, Blood Gas, And Physiological Measures Of Sandhill Cranes Sedated With Alpha-Chloralose, Richard R. Sim, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Capture techniques that lessen handling stress may also lessen pathologic influences on physiologic measures, improving the validity of these measures for use in individual health assessment of freeranging wildlife. Since 1990, the International Crane Foundation (ICF) has successfully used chemical immobilization with alpha-chloralose (AC; C₆H₁₁Cl₃O₆), a chloral derivative of glucose, to facilitate captures of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) for ecological studies (Hayes et al. 2003). Although this chemical has been used orally for the immobilization of many species, the physiologic effects of AC are not well understood in cranes. …

Tylosin Tartrate Promotes Resolution Of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity Reactions In Captive Cranes, Alina Kelman, Barry K. Hartup

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Previous research has described significant serum protein electrophoretic changes associated with intense periocular swelling in several crane species, typical of Type I hypersensitivity reactions, and thought to be the result of insect bites (Hartup and Schroeder 2006). We reviewed medical records for treatment plans and outcomes from 58 cases of insect hypersensitivity reactions observed in a diverse collection of captive cranes at the International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin. The purpose of this study was to fully describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of these cases, and determine the efficacy of treatment of these cases with tylosin tartrate, a macrolide antibiotic. …

Timing Of Family Dissociation Does Not Affect Long-Term Survival Estimates Of Sandhill Crane Chicks, Matthew A. Hayes, Jeb A. Barzen

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Sandhill crane (Grus canadensis) chicks depend on their parents beyond fledging, but timing of chick separation from their parents has rarely been quantified and reported. We color-banded and radio-tagged sandhill crane chicks on known natal territories in south-central Wisconsin and monitored family groups to determine age of chick independence. Using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber open population model in program MARK, we estimated survival for chicks that dissociated from their parents prior to fall migration, over winter (including migration), and following spring migration. Of 96 chicks with a known timing of dissociation from their parents, 11 (12%) became independent from their …

Distribution, Densities, And Ecology Of Siberian Cranes In The Khroma River Region Of Northern Yakutia In Northeastern Russia, Inga P. Bysykatova, Gary L. Krapu, Nicolai I. Germogenov, Deborah A. Buhl

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

The Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus) is the third rarest crane species in the world with a breeding range now centered on 3 core areas and a buffer zone in the arctic of northern Yakutia in northeastern Russia. During 16 July-2 August 2009, we undertook ground surveys within the Khroma River core breeding area, surrounding buffer zone, and lands lying to the west of the known breeding range to estimate densities and determine habitat use and social status of Siberian cranes. A total of 142 Siberian cranes were sighted (including 55 pairs) at 54 locations with 32 cranes (including 13 pairs) …

Proceedings Of The 13th North American Crane Workshop Abstracts

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

AGE-SPECIFIC SURVIVAL OF GREATER SANDHILL CRANE COLTS IN NEVADA Chad August, Jim Sedinger, and Chris Nicolai 111

WHOOPING CRANE DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE? Jane Austin, Matthew Hayes, and Jeb Barzen 111

BEHAVIORAL MOVEMENTS OF ARANSAS-WOOD BUFFALO WHOOPING CRANES: ANOMALIES OR INDICATIONS OF WAYS TO FURTHER ENHANCE SPECIES RECOVERY. David Baasch, Mark Bidwell, Wade Harrell, Kris Metzger, Aaron Pearse, and Mary Harner 112

ON NEST SUCCESS IN A REINTRODUCED POPULATION OF WHOOPING CRANES .Jeb Barzen, Sarah Converse, Peter Adler, Elmer Gray, Anne Lacy, Eva Szyszkoski, and Andrew Gossens 113

DETERMINING DIET COMPOSITION AND INGESTION RATE OF CRANES …

Proceedings Of The Thirteenth North American Crane Workshop, 14–17 April 2014, Lafayette, Louisiana, Usa, David A. Aborn, Richard P. Urbanek

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

RESEARCH PAPERS

HABITAT SELECTION BY BREEDING SANDHILL CRANES IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN. Tamara P. Miller and Jeb A. Barzen 1

HIGH NEST DENSITY OF SANDHILL CRANES IN CENTRAL WISCONSIN.Jeb A. Barzen, Liying Su, Anne E. Lacy, Andrew P. Gossens, and Dorn M. Moore 13

DIFFERENTIAL DETECTION OF TERRITORIAL AND NON-TERRITORIAL GREATER SANDHILL CRANES IN SUMMER. Lindsey F. McKinney, Jeb A. Barzen, Jason D. Riddle, Shelli A. Dubay, and Tim F. Ginnett 25

TIMING OF FAMILY DISSOCIATION DOES NOT AFFECT LONG-TERM SURVIVAL ESTIMATES OF SANDHILL CRANE CHICKS Matthew A. Hayes and Jeb A. Barzen 33

A REVIEW OF FALL SANDHILL CRANE MIGRATION …

Nesting Activity Budgets And Antipredator Behaviors Of Mississippi Sandhill Cranes, Jerome J. Howard, Rose Butler Wall, Lauren Billodeaux Mowbray, Scott G. Hereford

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We studied activity budgets and antipredator behaviors of Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) to determine if parental behavior influenced nest outcomes. We used infrared motion-activated cameras to capture behavioral sequences from 21 nests over a 2-year period. Overall activity budgets were similar among crane pairs regardless of nest outcome. Specific activity patterns did predict nest outcomes; pairs at unsuccessful nests spent more time away from the nest and more time manipulating nest contents than successful pairs, while pairs at nests that were lost to predation cooperated poorly and started the nest a month later on average than …

Voluntary Food Sharing In Pinyon Jays: The Role Of Reciprocity And Dominance, Juan F. Duque, Jeffrey R. Stevens

Jeffrey Stevens Publications

Food sharing offers a clear example of prosocial behavior, in which one individual’s actions benefit another. Researchers have proposed a range of hypotheses that explain why food sharing may occur among unrelated individuals. Two such hypotheses, reciprocity and dominance, have been tested in many species, including fish, corvids, rats, bats, and primates, showing that (1) recipients sometimes reciprocate sharing back to previous donors and (2) dominant individuals share more than subordinates. Although primates dominate the study of prosocial behavior, active donation of food is actually quite rare in primates. In contrast, several corvid species spontaneously share food much more frequently. …

The Domain Specificity Of Intertemporal Choice In Pinyon Jays, Jeffrey R. Stevens, Bryce Kennedy, Dina Morales, Marianna Burks

Jeffrey Stevens Publications

When choosing between a piece of cake now versus a slimmer waistline in the future, many of us have difficulty with self-control. Food-caching species, however, regularly hide food for later recovery, sometimes waiting months before retrieving their caches. It remains unclear whether these long-term choices generalize outside of the caching domain. We hypothesized that the ability to save for the future is a general tendency that cuts across different situations. To test this hypothesis, we measured and experimentally manipulated caching to evaluate its relationship with operant measures of self-control in pinyon jays (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus). We found no correlation …

Measuring The Robustness Of Network Community Structure Using Assortativity, Daizaburo Shizuka, Damien R. Farine

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The existence of discrete social clusters, or ‘communities’, is a common feature of social networks in human and nonhuman animals. The level of such community structure in networks is typically measured using an index of modularity, Q. While modularity quantifies the degree to which individuals associate within versus between social communities and provides a useful measure of structure in the social network, it assumes that the network has been well sampled. However, animal social network data is typically subject to sampling errors. In particular, the associations among individuals are often not sampled equally, and animal social network studies are often …

The Behavioral Ecology Of Amblypygids, Kenneth J. Chapin, Eileen A. Hebets

Eileen Hebets Publications

Arachnologists have uncovered tantalizing details about amblypygid behavioral ecology—the study of the fitness consequences of their behavior. Thus, it is the aim of this review to position Amblypygi as a useful system in which to investigate the principles of animal behavioral ecology. We synthesize amblypygid habitat preference and navigation modalities; predator, prey, parasite, parasitoid, cannibal, and commensal interactions; resource contests and territoriality; mating systems and mate choice; parental investment and sociality; and genetics and genomics as they relate to behavioral ecology. We present ideas for future research in each of these areas and discuss future directions for Amblypygi behavioral ecology …