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Geology topics

J.M. Meyers

Publications and source records attributed to J.M. Meyers.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
USGS1996

Surveys of Puerto Rican screech-owl populations in large-tract and fragmented forest habitats

We conducted road surveys of Puerto Rican Screech-Owls (Otus nudipes) by playing conspecific vocalizations in secondary wet forest and fragmented secondary moist forest in rural areas of eastern Puerto Rico. Six paired surveys were conducted bi-weekly beginning in April. We recorded number of owl responses, cloud cover, wind speed, moon phase, and number of passing cars during 5-min stops at 60 locations. Owls responded in similar numbers (P > 0.05) in both habitat types. Also, we detected no association with cloud cover, wind speed, moon phase, or passing cars.

The Wilson Bulletin↗
USGS1995

A colored leg banding technique for Amazona parrots

A technique for individual identification of Amazona was developed using plastic leg bands. Bands were made from 5- and 7-mm-wide strips of laminated PVC coiled 2.5 times with an inside diameter 4-5 mm gt the maximum diameter of the parrot's leg. Seventeen parrots were captured in Puerto Rico, marked with individual plastic leg bands, and observed for 204-658 d with only one lost or damaged plastic band. Plastic leg bands did not cause injury to or calluses on parrots' legs. The plastic material used for making leg bands was available in 18 colors in 1994, which would allow unique marking of 306 individuals using one plastic leg band on each leg.

Journal of Field Ornithology↗
USGS1994

In my experience: Improved capture techniques for psittacines

Four methods for capturing psittacines were developed and tested in Puerto Rico from 1991-1993. Elevated mist nets at canopy height in scrub-forest or mangrove habitat captured fewer nontarget birds and possibly more parakeets than mist nets at ground level. Playback of conspecific calls may have attracted parakeets to the net area and reduced the need to erect more than six 12-m long nets. Using 6 nets instead of 12 also reduced the capture rate and captures of nontarget birds. This reduced disturbance at the netting site.....Mist nets, 7.3 m high, surrounding a tree with live decoys within the circle of nets captured parrots effectively when conspecific vocalizations of foraging parrots were played. More parrot captures occurred when the birds were frightened as they approached the decoy inside and below the circle of nets during the early morning. Nets at lower heights (5.8 m) and nets centered perpendicularly on a tree with picture and live decoys failed to capture parrots.

Wildlife Society Bulletin↗
USGS1993

Evaluation of three elevated mist-net systems for sampling birds

Three light-weight, low-canopy mist-net systems were developed and tested in dry tropical scrub, mangrove and forest habitats. One plastic (polyvinyl chloride) and two aluminum pole systems (with and without pulleys) were used to support mist nets to heights of up to 7.3 m. Although the aluminum telescoping-pole system (without pulleys) was expensive initially ( 79-141/unit (US)), its use reduced capture of nontarget species and may have increased capture of target species when compared with ground-level netting. In one year, its use also reduced labor costs by 756, which completely offset the higher cost of the aluminum telescoping-pole system when compared to the plastic-pole system ( 19/unit). Unlike the plastic-pole system, the aluminum telescoping-pole system was adjustable to any height within its range of 1.8 to 7.3 m, was 1.5 m higher, was more efficient to operate in the field, and was easily moved to new locations. For capture of psittacines, the pulleys of the aluminum telescoping-pole system were not necessary, but their use may assist in efficiently retrieving large numbers of birds from the nets. The aluminum telescoping-pole system was efficient in capturing psittacines, columbids, passerines and possibly chiropterans in habitats with canopies lt 10 m or in the forest subcanopy.

Journal of Field Ornithology↗