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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
USGS2017

Movements and habitat use of White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) during the remigial molt in arctic Alaska, USA

Proposed oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska has raised questions about possible impacts of development on molting Greater White-fronted Geese ( Anser albifrons frontalis ) and their habitats. We used GPS transmitters to record fine-scale location data of molting and post-molt White-fronted Geese to assess patterns of movement and resource selection relative to vegetation class, year (2012, 2013), and body mass at capture. Molting White-fronted Geese were located an average of 63.3 ± 4.9 m (SE) from lakeshores. Estimated terrestrial home range size for flightless birds differed between years (2012 = 13.2 ± 2.6 km 2 ; 2013 = 6.5 ± 1.8 km 2 ), but did not vary among habitat strata or with body mass. Molting White-fronted Geese used sedge ( Carex aquatilus ) dominated low centered polygons and water more frequently than expected given proportional habitat availability, but avoided tussock tundra and wet sedge vegetation classes. Upon regaining flight, individuals tended to remain in the same general area, and the center of their home range only moved an average of 6.9 km. Greater White-fronted Geese that could fly tended to forage further from lakeshores ( = 245 m), and used a larger home range ( = 44.3 ± 9.5 km 2 ) than when flightless.

Alaska↗
USGS2017

Seasonal movements and multiscale habitat selection of Whooping Crane (Grus americana) in natural and agricultural wetlands

Eleven of 15 species of cranes (family: Gruidae) are considered vulnerable or endangered, and the increase of agriculture and aquaculture at the expense of natural wetlands and grasslands is a threat to Gruidae worldwide. A reintroduced population of Whooping Crane ( Grus americana ) was studied in coastal and agricultural wetlands of Louisiana and Texas, USA. The objectives were to compare Whooping Crane movements across seasons, quantify multiscale habitat selection, and identify seasonal shifts in selection. Whooping Cranes ( n = 53) were tracked with satellite transmitters to estimate seasonal core-use areas (50% home range contours) via Brownian bridge movement models and assess habitat selection. Whooping Crane core-use areas ( n = 283) ranged from 4.7 to 438.0 km 2 , and habitat selection changed seasonally as shallow water availability varied. Whooping Crane core-use areas were composed of more fresh marsh in spring/summer, but shifted towards rice and crawfish ( Procambarus spp.) aquaculture in the fall/winter. Within core-use areas, aquaculture was most strongly selected, particularly in fall when fresh marsh became unsuitable. Overall, the shifting of Whooping Crane habitat selection over seasons is likely to require large, heterogeneous areas. Whooping Crane use of agricultural and natural wetlands may depend on spatio-temporal dynamics of water depth.

Louisiana↗
USGS2017

Managing native predators: Evidence from a partial removal of raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA

Raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) are important predators of ground-nesting species in coastal systems. They have been identified as a primary cause of nest failure for the American Oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliatus ) throughout its range. Concerns over the long-term effects of raccoon predation and increased nest success following a hurricane inspired a mark-resight study of the raccoon population on a barrier island off North Carolina, USA. Approximately half of the raccoons were experimentally removed in 2008. Nests ( n = 700) were monitored on two adjacent barrier islands during 2004–2013. Daily nest survival estimates were highest for 2004 (0.974 ± 0.005) and lowest for 2007 and 2008 (0.925 ± 0.009 and 0.925 ± 0.010, respectively). The only model in our candidate set that received any support included island and time of season, along with a diminishing effect of the hurricane and a constant, 5-year effect of the raccoon removal. For both hurricane and raccoon removal, however, the support for island-specific effects was weak (β = -0.204 ± 0.116 and 0.146 ± 0.349, respectively). We conclude that either the raccoon reduction was inadequate, or factors other than predation cause more variation in nest success than previously recognized. A multi-faceted approach to management aimed at reducing nest losses to storm overwash, predation, and human disturbance is likely to yield the largest population level benefits.

North Carolina↗
USGS2017

Managing American Oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliatus ) population qrowth by targeting nesting season vital rates

In populations of long-lived species, adult survival typically has a relatively high influence on population growth. From a management perspective, however, adult survival can be difficult to increase in some instances, so other component rates must be considered to reverse population declines. In North Carolina, USA, management to conserve the American Oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliatus ) targets component vital rates related to fecundity, specifically nest and chick survival. The effectiveness of such a management approach in North Carolina was assessed by creating a three-stage female-based deterministic matrix model. Isoclines were produced from the matrix model to evaluate minimum nest and chick survival rates necessary to reverse population decline, assuming all other vital rates remained stable at mean values. Assuming accurate vital rates, breeding populations within North Carolina appear to be declining. To reverse this decline, combined nest and chick survival would need to increase from 0.14 to ≤ 0.27, a rate that appears to be attainable based on historical estimates. Results are heavily dependent on assumptions of other vital rates, most notably adult survival, revealing the need for accurate estimates of all vital rates to inform management actions. This approach provides valuable insights for evaluating conservation goals for species of concern.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2018

Use of Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) burrows as shelter by Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) chicks

The availability of shelter to avoid predation and ameliorate physiologically stressful conditions is often important to the survival of avian hatchlings. However, as changes in habitat availability force birds to nest in nontraditional locations, young must quickly adapt to using novel sources of shelter. Two Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) colonies (one vegetated and one barren) were observed during the 2017 breeding season on a remote island habitat restoration project during data collection for a larger associated study. While chicks within the vegetated colony sought shade under vegetation, those in the barren colony were frequently found under anthropogenically constructed chick shelters. The first reported instance of Common Tern chicks using Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) burrows for shelter was also observed in the barren colony. This behavior, when paired with other similar reports, suggests that this species is able to recognize beneficial shelters, both natural and anthropogenic, and use them at a young age, an important ability if they are to successfully reproduce in atypical habitats

Maryland↗
USGS2018

California gull (Larus californicus) space use and timing of movements in relation to landfills and breeding colonies

Expanding gull (Laridae) populations throughout the world have been attributed to the availability of anthropogenic food subsidies. The influence of landfills on California Gull ( Larus californicus ) space use and the timing of their movements was evaluated in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Using radio telemetry, 108 California Gulls were tracked, > 7,000 locations were recorded, and > 1 million detections were obtained at automated logger systems placed at the two main landfills and three major breeding colonies. Population home range (31-35 km 2 ) and core use areas (2-3 km 2 ) overlapped landfills and colonies, and expanded after breeding. California Gull attendance at landfills (1.6-19.0 km from colonies) increased throughout breeding and post-breeding, whereas attendance at colonies was low during pre-breeding (20%-40% per day), increased during breeding (60%-80% per day), and declined into and during post-breeding (< 20% per day). California Gull attendance at landfills was greatest when garbage was delivered from 06:00 hr in the morning until 18:00 hr at night. In contrast, California Gull attendance at colonies during breeding was greater at night from 20:00 hr to 05:00 hr (50%-70% per hr) than during the day from 06:00 hr to 18:00 hr (30%-40% per hr). Landfills played a predominant role in California Gull space use and the timing of their movements in this highly urbanized estuary.

California↗
USGS2019

Evaluating tradeoffs in the response of Sora (Porzana carolina) and waterfowl to the timing of early autumn wetland inundation

Wetland loss has increased the importance of multi-species management in remaining wetlands, which provide habitat for a multitude of wetland-dependent species. Many public wetlands across the mid-latitude United States are managed as moist soil impoundments with emphasis on migratory waterfowl. However, how the timing of these water management decisions affects rails is still uncertain. Wetland managers identified this as an area of uncertainty regarding timing of alternative water management strategies to benefit waterfowl and rails, which was addressed through a 3-year management experiment. Sora ( Porzana carolina ) and waterfowl were surveyed on 10 public wetland properties in Missouri, USA from 2014-2016, and their responses to early autumn inundation of managed palustrine wetlands were compared. A total of 558 Sora surveys detected 5,755 birds (20.6 birds/survey ± 30.8 SD), and 1,304 waterfowl surveys detected 1,411,779 birds (15,686.4 birds/survey ± 23,933.9 SD). Sora responded positively (birds/ha) to inundation of moist soil impoundments earlier in autumn migration (August). The top model for Sora included treatment, year and region of Missouri. There was no difference in waterfowl abundance between early or late inundation. Inundating wetlands earlier in autumn migration can provide habitat for migrating Sora without negative effects on waterfowl use of those wetlands, and wetland managers can incorporate this into their decision-making framework.

Missouri↗
USGS2019

Nest survival of Black-necked Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus) on the upper Texas coast, USA

The Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus ) is a migratory shorebird of temperate and tropical America. Declining wetland quality and associated declines in hydrological integrity may contribute to widespread habitat loss for stilts nesting on the upper Texas Gulf of Mexico coast of the USA, as both fresh and brackish marshes are converting to open water and saline marsh. Nests ( n = 356) were monitored in three wetland types on the upper Texas coast from 21 April-30 June 2011-2012. Of these 356 nests, 151 were located in managed freshwater wetlands (16 in 2011 and 135 in 2012), 128 were located in managed intermediate wetlands (75 in 2011 and 53 in 2012), and 77 were located in rice fields (all in 2012). Collectively, nest success was 0.2% (0 in rice fields and as high as 4.3% in freshwater wetlands in 2012), among the lowest ever reported for the species. The most frequent cause of nest failure was predation by mammalian and avian predators (∼50%). Daily nest survival rate was positively related to mudflat nesting substrates and negatively related to colony size, rice field, and brackish coastal wetland habitats. Future efforts to minimize edge effects in managed wetlands may prove valuable to improve nest success of stilts and other species that nest in similar wetland types.

Texas↗
USGS2019

DNA Sequencing confirms Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris serrirostris) occurrence in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley in Arkansas, USA

—First sighting records of rare occurrences may become increasingly important for recognizing changes in distribution, changes in migratory strategies, or increases in hybridization. We focumented the first record of a Tundra Bean Goose in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, the outlet and historic floodplain for much of North America and one of the most important waterfowl wintering areas on the continent. We also document the first genetically confirmed record in the contiguous USA. Bean Goose (Anser fabalis and A. serrirostris) occurrences in North America are rare, especially outside of Alaska. On 24 January 2018, a Tundra Bean Goose (A. s. serrirostris) was harvested by a hunter in a winter-flooded rice field in Desha County, Arkansas, USA, near Dumas. The goose was mixed with a flock of 50 Greater White-Fronted Geese (A. albifrons). Because this individual was legally, albeit accidentally shot, we had the rare and exciting opportunity to obtain morphometric measurements and biological samples. As a result, we were able to verify the species and subspecies through genetic and morphological analysis. We determined the goose was an adult female Tundra Bean Goose, and mitochondrial DNA control region sequence data indicated this specimen was the subspecies A. s. serrirostris.

Arkansas↗
USGS2021

Foraging movements and colony attendance of Least Terns (Sternula antillarum) on the central Platte River, Nebraska, USA

Least Terns ( Sternula antillarum ) are known to forage away from nesting colonies, yet little information is available about movement rates and distances. We used VHF transmitters and a network of datalogging receivers to monitor movements of 23 Least Terns on the central Platte River, Nebraska, USA. We typically detected incubating and brood-rearing birds within 8 km of colonies during daylight hours, and up to 17.5 km away at night. Movement distances were even longer during post-fledging (up to 20 km) and nonbreeding (up to 31 km) periods. Colony attendance differed notably by reproductive stage, being highest for incubating and lowest for post-fledging birds. Birds were most frequently detected on the study area during brood-rearing and nonbreeding periods, and most likely to go undetected during incubation and after fledging a brood. Frequency and success of foraging behaviors were lowest on sandpit sites, intermediate on riverine sites, and highest at the Kearney Diversion Dam on the Platte River, where flow patterns likely enhanced forage fish availability. Foraging movements of Least Terns were temporally and spatially variable, with time of day, reproductive stage, and availability of prey hotspots appearing to be key factors. Management of habitat complexes for breeding Least Terns may benefit from emphasizing the availability of profitable foraging habitat within 8 km of nesting areas, and considering foraging habitat within 8 - 30 km as available.

Nebraska↗
USGS2021

Effects of diet and provisioning behavior on chick growth in Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae)

When provisioning chicks, parents trade-off their time, energy, and other resources to maximize reproductive success. As parents adjust investment to maximize their fitness, impacts on offspring growth can occur. We investigated provisioning and chick growth of Adélie Penguins ( Pygoscelis adeliae ) at one of the largest colonies (∼175,000 pairs), during one year of normal chick growth and survival and in a year which, by chance, was characterized by low chick growth and survival (“difficult” year). We measured daily average amount and quality of food delivered, as well as foraging-trip duration, and compared them to chick mass and skeletal growth during two years of contrasting conditions. We used mixed-effects models to test the prediction that increased parental investment would lead to increased growth rates, while accounting for confounding effects. There was no evidence of an effect of parent age. All provisioning measures predicted growth of at least one morphological character but, especially during the year of normal reproductive success, no provisioning measure strongly predicted growth across most morphological characters. However, during the difficult year parental investment positively affected growth rates, especially for males that were fed relatively more fish. The observed variation in growth rates between males and females, and between years of contrasting apparent resource availability, was large enough to lead to size differences that may subsequently affect post-fledging survival and ultimately population processes.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2021

Fine-scale weather patterns drive reproductive success in the Brown Pelican

In the northern Gulf of Mexico, island restoration and creation have been used to mitigate potential negative effects of anthropogenic and environmental stressors to breeding seabirds. The long-term success of such projects can be enhanced when data are available to elucidate how site-specific and larger-scale factors may contribute to reproductive success. Nest-specific daily survival rate (DSR) of Eastern Brown Pelicans ( Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis ) during incubation (i.e., pre-hatch; n = 245) and brood-rearing (i.e., post-hatch; n = 185) were measured at two breeding islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico USA in 2017 and 2018 in relation to macro- and micro- scale habitat and environmental measurements. DSR of nests during incubation ranged from 91-99%, and the DSR during brood-rearing exceeded 99% each year. Regional weather variables occurred in top-performing models more often and with more significance compared to microhabitat variables. Results suggest that reproductive success of Brown Pelicans may respond at least in part to weather factors that occur outside of the scope of habitat structure as it is typically incorporated into the restoration or creation of breeding habitat, indicating that climate conditions are likely an important factor in the success of restoration efforts.

Alabama↗
USGS2021

Mapping habitat quality and threats for eastern Black Rails (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis)

Documenting the spatial distribution of high-quality habitat patches, the distributions of threats and protected areas, and the vulnerability of habitat patches to changes in environmental conditions is vital for conservation of rare species. Range-wide species distribution models were developed for Black Rails ( Laterallus jamaicensis ) to predict the distribution of high-quality habitat patches for breeding Eastern Black Rails ( L. j. jamaicensis ). Overlay analyses were conducted to quantify the distribution of habitat relative to human development and existing protected areas, as well as the vulnerability of the best habitat to future sea level rise. The amount of high-quality habitat varied among states (0.4-7.6% of area) and was relatively rare throughout the subspecies' range (3.3% of area). Human development was common but the amount varied spatially among states (2.2-15.3% of area). Higher-quality breeding habitat was more common on federal lands (9.4% of area) and protected areas (6.4% of area), yet 33-42% of the highest-quality habitat patches were vulnerable to sea level rise of 0.61-1.83 m. Our results imply that even though many of the highest-quality habitat patches may be less likely sites for development they are often vulnerable to rising seas, and thus maintenance of existing high-quality habitat patches may be difficult without management that takes into account the likelihood of future inundation.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2022

Interspecific and local variation in Tern chick diets across nesting colonies in the Gulf of Maine

The Gulf of Maine, USA is home to four colonial co-nesting tern species: Least Tern ( Sternula antillarum ), Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo ), Arctic Tern ( Sterna paradisaea ), and the federally endangered Roseate Tern ( Sterna dougallii ). Over three decades of visual observations of chick provisioning were compiled for a comparative dietary study in the region, including the first detailed descriptions of Least and Roseate Tern chick diets. Three prey groups comprised the majority of chick diets among tern species between 1986–2017: hake ( Urophycis spp. or Enchelyopus cimbrius ) 28–37% frequency of occurrence (FO), sand lance ( Ammodytes americanus or A. dubius ) 8–22% FO, and herring ( Clupea spp . or Alosa spp.) 3–30% FO. Dietary contributions varied across species and islands. At two inshore colonies, Common Tern diets contained higher amounts of sand lance (30–42% FO), while offshore islands contained lesser amounts (5–9% FO). Overall dietary diversity (H′) was similar between Common (H′ = 1.57) and Arctic Terns (H′ = 1.74) and notably lower in Roseate (H′ = 1.24) and Least Terns (H′ = 1.37), whose diets were primarily piscivorous. The degree of dietary plasticity and general feeding ecology provided by baseline dietary information can inform holistic assessments of risk to ongoing and future disturbances from fishing and climate change.

Maine↗
USGS2021

Factors limiting reproductive success of American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) in Florida's southern Big Bend region

Florida's Big Bend region hosts the second largest concentration of breeding American Oystercatchers in the state, but reproductive success is low. Nest site characteristics and predation were examined to determine their influence on survival of nests and broods at two areas in the southern Big Bend (Cedar Key and Barge Canal). The probability of a nest surviving in Cedar Key was low ( x̄ = 0.25, CI = 0.13–0.41) and limited by nest overwash (46% of known nest attempts); survival of nests at Barge Canal was much higher ( x̄ = 0.45, CI = 0.31–0.58). However, 40% of chicks that survived to fledge (35 days) at Barge Canal died before reaching independence (60 days). Raccoon presence and hatch date were negatively correlated with brood survival at Barge Canal. Finally, chicks at Barge Canal weighed less and were smaller compared to chicks at an Atlantic Coast site, which may be related to low abundance of live oysters within 100 m of their nest sites. Efforts to enhance oystercatcher reproductive success may require different approaches for each site: habitat restoration to increase elevation of nest sites in Cedar Key and reduction of predators at Barge Canal.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2022

Reproductive success of Red-Billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus) on St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

The daily nest-survival rates of Red-billed Tropicbirds ( Phaethon aethereus ) were estimated over six breeding seasons on St. Eustatius in the Caribbean. We analyzed 338 nesting attempts between 2013 and 2020. The daily survival rate (DSR) of tropicbird nests was modeled as a function of nest initiation date, sea surface temperature (SST), elevation, vegetation in front of the nest, and year. Yearly nest survival rates (± SE) of the best fitting models ranged from 0.21 ± 0.06–0.74 ± 0.13 ( n = 338 nests). DSR of the most parsimonious models averaged 0.39 ± 0.04 during the incubation period, 0.83 ± 0.05 during the chick-rearing period, and 0.30 ± 0.04 during the nesting period (incubation through fledging) when data were pooled across all years. Models with linear and quadratic trends of nest initiation date combined with SST and elevation received strong support in the incubation and nesting periods. Nests initiated in peak nesting season, when SSTs were lower, had higher DSR estimates than nests initiated early or late in the season. Compared to studies of the same species from Saba and the Gulf of California, survival probability on St. Eustatius was lower during the incubation stage but higher during the chick-rearing period. Similar to populations in the Gulf of California, tropicbird reproduction differed and laying date varied among years, and survival was influenced by SST. Our results are consistent with a study on White-tailed Tropicbirds ( Phaethon lepturus ) in Bermuda which found that survival was affected by temporal factors rather than physical site characteristics. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that influence Red-billed Tropicbird survival on a small Caribbean island.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2022

Dabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild

In most birds, parental incubation of eggs is necessary for embryo development and survival. Using a combination of weekly nest visits, temperature dataloggers, infrared video cameras, and GPS tracking of hens, we documented several instances of duck eggs hatching after being abandoned by the incubating female. Of 2826 Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and Gadwall ( Mareca strepera ) nests monitored 2015–2019 in Suisun Marsh, California, 48 (1.7%) were abandoned during late incubation (≥ 20 days). Of these, we identified six (12.5%) where at least one egg hatched 2–9 days after abandonment. In all six cases, eggshell membranes were found in the nest (indicating hatch), and ducklings were observed at three nests. Abandoned nests were unattended for an average of 5.9 days before eggs hatched; during this time, mean nest temperatures (23.6°C–29.0°C) were substantially lower than before nest abandonment (31.7°C–36.4°C). We estimated that abandonment resulted in a 9% longer time period between clutch completion and hatch (0–4 days longer) and a lower rate of egg hatching success (36%). Our results provide evidence that some older embryos (≥ 20 days) in mild climates can survive without parental incubation for several days and continue to develop (at a reduced rate) to the point of successfully hatching.

Waterbirds↗
USGS2023

eDNA Metabarcoding Analyses of Diet in Yellow-Billed Loons of Northern Alaska

Environmental DNA is a burgeoning tool used to address wide-ranging scientific questions, including determining diets of difficult-to-sample predators. Loons are large piscivorous diving birds that capture and consume prey underwater, making it nearly impossible to visually determine their diet via observation alone. Identifying species' diets is important for understanding basic life history traits, and revealing key prey species can clarify species' roles in complex trophic webs, aid in understanding population and community dynamics, and help identify critical habitat for protection. Current information about loon diet is largely anecdotal, and traditional non-observational methods for quantifying loon diet have limitations. Analysis of eDNA from loon feces may provide biologists with a non-invasive technique for determining diet without negative sampling effects, and with increased resolution as compared to other techniques. We surveyed lakes in two areas of northern Alaska for Yellow-billed Loons ( Gavia adamsii ). Loon fecal samples were collected opportunistically from latrine sites without disturbing any animals and analyzed using novel marker sets to determine loon species and diet. Fish species were detected in all fecal samples, the most common being Alaska blackfish ( Dallia pectoralis ), and ninespine stickleback ( Pungitius pungitius ). This research demonstrates that eDNA metabarcoding analyses of loon fecal samples can determine the specific loon species that deposited the feces and characterize the piscine portion of their diet with limited disturbance to the animals.

Alaska↗