Life History and Habitat Utilization of Merriam\u27s Turkey in Southwestern Utah

A study of the Merriam\u27s wild turkey was conducted March 1972 to August 1973 in southwestern Utah to determine the life history and habitat utilization. Using transects, bio-telemetry, and observational techniques, information on flocking, hen:poult and sex ratios, and approximate dates for spring dispersal, nesting, and hatching was obtained. Turkey observations in relation to habitat variables were used to determine habitat utilization. Except during the spring mating season, male flocks remained apart from other turkeys. Hen flocks in fall and winter consisted of adult hens and juveniles of both sexes. Males dispersed from winter flocks in March, and those that became harem gobblers attracted not more than 3 hens. Egg-laying probably took place from mid-April to mid-May and hatching from mid-May to mid-June. A drop in hen:poult ratios from 1:2.2 in 1972 to 1:0.7 in 1973 was attributed to harsh spring weather. Hens comprised an estimated 60 percent of the population during the study period. Turkeys utilized a faU-winter-early spring habitat of mountain brush and scattered ponderosa pine. Late spring use was associated with a ponderosa pine or aspen-mixed-conifer habitat type. Broods highly used glades dominated by an aspen overstory with intermingling mixed-conifer, while a male flock used mixedconifer clearings at 10,000 feet elevation. The upper and lower limits of turkey range on the study area were 10,000 and 6,000 feet, respectively. Turkeys began spring migration in April and fall migration in late September or early October

Spatial Analysis of Predator Abundance and Northern Bobwhite Nest Success in Southern Texas

Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have low nest success across their geographic range, and predation is the primary cause of failure. We evaluated the influence of relative abundance of predators on northern bobwhite nest success. We used data from a long- term radiotelemetry study conducted on 3 sites (800 ha each) in Brooks County, Texas during 2000–2007. We located bobwhite nests (n 1⁄4 456) using radiotelemetry and estimated Mayfield nest success each year. We also estimated relative abundance of nest predators using scent stations (400 3 400 m grid/site) during the nesting season (May–Aug). We developed a gradient map of predator relative abundance and correlated this variable with location-specific bobwhite nest success. Mayfield nest success during the incubation period (23 days) varied between 0.43 and 0.60 during the study. Scent-station visitation rates (% stations visited/night) ranged from 0 to 67%

Temporal and Spatial Trends of Northern Bobwhite Survival and Nest Success

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has been declining in abundance across North America for many years. It is unknown, however, if other population variables also exhibit this downward trajectory. We conducted a retrospective-analysis of annual survival and nest success based on a literature review of 64 studies and compared these estimates temporally and spatially. We hypothesized that increased management efforts influenced bobwhite survival in the 1990s. Evidence from linear splining indicated survival trends changed in 1994. Thus, we compared trends across 3 periods: before 1994, after 1994, and overall. Mean (6 SD) annual survival was 13.9 6 9.4% across 31 studies from 1970 to 2007. Annual survival decreased 0.534% per year during 1970–1994 and stabilized thereafter. This stabilization in survival occurred along latitudinal and longitudinal gradients in which survival decreased at the northern and western periphery of the bobwhite range. Our linear splining models did not support the hypothesis that trends in nest success changed in the 1990s; thus, we only compared trends across the overall, 1924–2008 range of studies. Mean nest success across 33 studies was 44.4 6 15.2% during this interval and increased slightly across the 1924–2008 range of studies. We observed latitudinal gradients in nest success. Nest success was lowest at the northern periphery of the bobwhite range; it decreased 0.90% per degree of latitude. Annual survival stabilized after 1994 despite monotonic declines in bobwhite abundance since at least the 1960s. Range-wide survival and nest success trends may not parallel trends in abundance, particularly after 1990, which suggests biologists may not fully understand the range-wide population ecology of bobwhites. This lends support for the need to monitor other aspects of the bobwhites range-wide population dynamics as supplements to range-wide abundance

Refining the Morning Covey-Call Survey to Estimate Northern Bobwhite Abundance

Morning covey-call surveys have been mentioned extensively as a practical and efficient way to estimate abundance of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) with minimal effort. However, many of the protocol specifics such as radius of audibility and probability of a covey calling were not based on empirical data. Other limitations also existed such as variation in observers’ detection capacity and calling behavior of coveys. These shortcomings limit the reliability of this survey technique. The objectives of our study were to 1) obtain an empirical estimate of radius of audibility, 2) document observer variability in estimating number of coveys heard, and 3) document calling behavior of bobwhite coveys. We found no difference in radius of audibility for areas with low-brush density (6%; 956 ± 72m; mean ± SE; n = 4 observers) and high-brush density (30%; 931 ± 66 m). We calculated an overall radius of audibility of 900 m (254 ha) pooled across sites. We documented considerable observer variability (CV 18-49%; n = 12 observers) in detecting coveys. Regarding calling behavior, we observed that 67% ± 9.0 (n = 30 coveys) of coveys emitted the covey-call during 2004 whereas 88% ± 7.8 (n = 17 coveys) of coveys emitted the covey-call during 2005. Of the coveys that called, 70% ± 10.2 in 2004 and 93% ± 6.4 in 2005 involved \u3e1 bird calling/covey. Our findings allow for a refinement of the morning covey-call survey. We recommend obtaining site-specific radius of audibility and using a core number of observers that remain consistent from year to year

Effects of Hurricane Bret on Northern Bobwhite Survival in South Texas

The impacts of intense storms such as hurricanes on wildlife rarely are documented. We had the opportunity to monitor the impact of Hurricane Bret on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) survival and reproduction in Brooks County, Texas. On 22 August 1999, Hurricane Bret struck our study area, which received \u3e 45 cm of rain and experienced wind gusts \u3e160 km/h. We documented the survival of bobwhite adults (n = 82), broods (n = 15), and nests (n = 4) via radiotelemetry before and after the hurricane. Only 11 (13%) adult bobwhites were killed, with 4 killed directly from exposure to the hurricane. Broods experienced higher mortality, with 7 (47%) broods killed during the hurricane. Six of the 7 dead broods were \u3c 1 week old. Sizes of the 8 surviving broods were reduced from a mean brood size of about 11 chicks prior to the hurricane to a mean size of 4 after the hurricane (P = 0.01). Of the 4 nests monitored, 3 were depredated and eggs in 1 nest hatched the weekend of the storm. Hurricanes may negatively impact the survival of young (i.e., \u3c 2 weeks old) bobwhite broods

Preference and Nutrition of Quail Breeder 16, Common Agricultural Feeds, and a Mix of Native Seeds as Northern Bobwhite Food

Agricultural feeds are commonly dispersed along roads or in openings as an attractant or dietary supplement for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Quail Breeder 16e is a pelletized ration specifically developed by Lyssy & Eckel Feeds for breeding bobwhites to maximize nutritive content of diets. Captive bobwhites were used to examine relative preference of the pellets, sorghum, corn, soybean, and a mix of seeds of 8 native plant species. Protein, fat, acid detergent fiber, gross energy, and mineral content of the feeds were measured and we examined changes in body mass of bobwhites fed exclusive diets of each of the five feeds. A Latin rectangle experimental design with single and multiple-offer treatments was used to compare feed preference. Sorghum was most highly preferred in both the single and multiple offering experiments. Soybeans and the pelletized ration were least preferred. The native seed mix and corn were intermediate in preference. Nutritionally, soybeans had the highest protein (40%), highest fat (19%), and highest gross energy (21 kJ/g). Bobwhites fed exclusive diets of the native seed mix exhibited the greatest increase in body mass (40%), and birds fed the sorghum diet had the greatest decrease in body mass ( 8%). Providing supplements (pelletized rations and agricultural feeds) should not take precedence over managing bobwhite habitat to produce a variety of native grasses and forbs when improving bobwhite nutrition is a management objective

Effects of Tanglehead Expansion on Bobwhite Habitat Use in South Texas

Usable space for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) has been reduced across a large portion of South Texas rangelands due to the spread of non-native, invasive grasses. A native grass, tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) has rapidly expanded its dominance in the western Sand Sheet of South Texas within the last 10-15 years. It has formed high-density monocultures, similar to non-native grasses, which are associated with losses of forb and grass diversity as well as bare ground, which are key components of bobwhite habitat. The objectives of our research were to 1) determine selection-avoidance of habitat features by bobwhites, and 2) determine the effects of tanglehead cover on vegetation characteristics. We detected 488 coveys across 20,103 ha on helicopter surveys conducted December 2014 in South Texas. We measured 6 vegetation characterstics (grass and forb species richness, vegetation height, woody-plant cover, tanglehead cover, and non-native grass cover) at all covey detections and an equal number of random locations. We developed continuous selection ratios based on probability density functions of used and random points derived using Simple Saddlepoint Approximations to determine habitat selection by bobwhites. We also used quantile regression at the 10th, 50th, and 90th quantiles to determine relationships between tanglehead and vegetation factors. Bobwhite avoided areas of high canopy cover (\u3e20%) of all invasive grasses measured. Brush cover was selected for up to 47%, after which it was avoided. We found significant negative relationships between tanglehead cover and forb and grass species richness, bare ground, and shrub cover, and a positive relationship with vegetation height at all quantiles modeled. Our results demonstrate the negative effects of increased tanglehead cover on native rangeland habitats. Further expansion by tanglehead has the potential to significantly reduce usable space for bobwhites in South Texas

Intake of Supplemental Deer Pellets Containing Ground Blueberry Juniper by Wild Pigs

Supplemental feeding of cervid species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; deer) is now a common management practice in the United States. Supplemental feeding can be costly and more expensive when supplements are consumed by non-target species such as wild pigs (Sus scrofa; pigs). From May 13 to June 17, 2015, we evaluated the effects of using ground blueberry juniper (Juniperus ashei) or cottonseed (Gossypium spp.) hulls as a roughage ingredient in a supplemental deer pellet to deter pig consumption at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in San Angelo, Texas, USA. We analyzed dry matter intake, growth performance, in vitro digestibility and fermentation, and blood serum chemistry of pigs using a 2 × 2 factorial study design that included 3 feeding periods. Pigs were assigned to 1 of 4 supplement diets (n = 5 pigs/supplement) or to a commercially available swine diet (BASAL; n = 4 pigs). Animals assigned to supplement diets were also offered BASAL based on percentage of body weight (BW) during each period. Supplement diets differed by roughage source and percentage of roughage: cottonseed hulls 20%, cottonseed hulls 40%, blueberry juniper 20%, or blueberry juniper 40%. During each period, the amount of supplement and BASAL diet offered to animals assigned to a supplement was fed as a percentage of BW; period 1 (day 0 to 17) = 5% supplement diet and 5% BASAL diet, period 2 (day 18 to 26) = 5% supplement diet and 2% BASAL diet, period 3 (day 27 to 34) = 5% supplement diet and 5% BASAL diet. Animals assigned to only BASAL were offered the same amount of feed as a percent of BW as supplement animals during each period. We observed a roughage × period interaction (P = 0.03) for supplement dry matter intake g/day and a roughage × period interaction (P \u3c 0.09) for total dry matter intake as a percentage of BW. No differences were observed within period. No other variables had percent roughage x period differences. Ground blueberry juniper was indigestible by pigs; the in vitro digestibility of dry matter and gross energy was \u3c 1%. Greater blood serum alanine aminotransferase (P= 0.07) in pigs consuming experimental supplement diets suggested the possibility of liver damage. Our findings suggest that there does not appear to be a benefit of using ground juniper as a roughage source to reduce consumption of supplemental deer feed by pigs

Population Response of Three Quail Species to Habitat Restoration in South Texas

Maintaining and increasing usable space is paramount for maintaining and increasing wild quail. Aside from weather and other factors that can temporarily reduce densities, range-wide, no factor has as much influence on quail populations as the amount of habitat present across the landscape. In the field of quail management, ‘‘bad news’’ is the norm, as many articles begin by explaining how a select species has declined. Here we provide good news and use 4 empirical examples of population increases for 3 quail species following creation of usable space and restoration of patch connectivity. From 2008–2014, a suite of independent projects aimed at increasing usable space for quail was initiated across South Texas. These projects included 3 focused on northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), 1 focused on scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), and 1 landowner-executed project focused on Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae). Through the correction of attributes limiting habitat, bobwhite numbers increased 22–378% across 2 studies. On one particular study site, native grassland restoration resulted in the colonization of bobwhites from adjacent areas to 1 bobwhite/1.2 ha from nearly 0. For scaled quail in South Texas, reducing buffelgrass standing crop via grazing from about 2,240 kg/ha to 1,008 kg/ha resulted in the recolonization of a previously unoccupied habitat patch to a density of 1 scaled quail/6 ha. Finally, clearing monotypic stands of the invasive native plant, ash juniper (Juniperus ashei) in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, resulted in the reestablishment of native grasses and forbs and thus recolonization by Montezuma quail from nearby areas. Although habitat restoration and management can be a painstaking and lengthy process, addressing limiting factors to quail occupancy is the only known way to increase wild quail populations. We hope that highlighting these particular studies will provide inspiration to those interested in restoring and increasing quail across the US