The principal known cause of mortality for wild whooping cranes (Grus americana) is collision with powerlines. Methods to minimize powerline collisions will contribute to the species\u27 long term recovery. We studied the flight behavior of sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) near powerlines marked with yellow aviation balls near the Platte River, Nebraska, in 1988-90. An age ratio of 24 juveniles:76 adults of 84 carcasses found under powerlines was significantly different from typical population ratios of 12: 88 for this species. Two-way contingency table analysis of crane flight behavior data indicated that cranes avoided markers (P \u3c 0.(01), reducing the potential for collision. Proximity ofpowerlines to habitats used by cranes (P \u3c 0.001), wind speed (P \u3c 0.05), and age of bird (P \u3c 0.(01) were important factors contributing to crane collisions with powerlines in Nebraska. Details are available in Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19(4):442-449

Anderson, Stanley H.

Morkill, Anne E.

English

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

University of Nebraska - LincolnDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - LincolnNorth American Crane Workshop Proceedings North American Crane Working Group1992BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEARPOWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOWAVIATION BALLSAnne E. MorkillUniversity of WyomingStanley H. AndersonUniversity of WyomingFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nacwgprocPart of the Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Ornithology Commons,Population Biology Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the North American Crane Working Group at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska -Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in North American Crane Workshop Proceedings by an authorized administrator ofDigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.Morkill, Anne E. and Anderson, Stanley H., "BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITHYELLOW AVIATION BALLS" (1992). North American Crane Workshop Proceedings. 272.http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nacwgproc/272Proc. North Am. Crane Workshop 6:1992 ABSTRACTS 177 MARKING POWER LINES TO REDUCE AVIAN COLLISION MORTALITY IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY, COLORADO WENDY M. BROWN, Wildlife Research Institute, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 3246, Moscow, ID 83843 RODERICK C. DREWIEN, Wildlife Research Institute, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 3246, Moscow, ID 83843 Abstract: We examined the effectiveness of 2 marking devices designed to increase visibility of power lines and reduce avian collision mortality during spring and fall migration periods, 1988-91, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Eight O.8-km segments of power line were marked with either yellow spiral vibration dampers or yellow fiberglass swinging plates and compared with 8 adjoining unmarked segments. Primary species groups studied included cranes (Grus canadensis and G. americana), Canada geese (Brama canadensis), and ducks (various Anatinae). Raptors, shorebirds, wading birds, and passerines were also monitored. Both marker types reduced avian collision mortality by > 50% (n = 139, P < 0.02). Mortality rates (collisions/overflights) on marked lines were reduced by a factor of2.1 for ducks, 4.6 for cranes, and 6.7 for geese. Flight behavior responses to marked lines varied among species groups with regard to reaction type, reaction distance, and height above line. Cranes were more affected by marked lines with regard to their reaction type and distance than were geese or ducks. Generally, all species flew higher over marked lines. Weather, particularly wind, was a significant factor influencing collision frequency (P < 0.05). Juvenile cranes were more vulnerable to collisions than adults (P < 0.01). Most birds involved in collisions were healthy and in good-excellent body condition, indicating disease and condition were not important factors influencing collision frequency. Because fiberglass plates caused structural damage to electric distribution lines, spiral vibration dampers used alone or in combination with avian marker balls are recommended as methods for reducing avian collision mortality in problem areas. Key Words': collisions, Grus americana, G. canadensis, power lines, sandhill crane, waterfowl, Whooping crane PROC. NORTH AM. CRANE WORKSHOP 6:177 BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOW AVIATION BALLS ANNE E. MORKILL,' Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071 STANLEY H. ANDERSON, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071 Abstract: The principal known cause of mortality for wild whooping cranes (Grus americana) is collision with powerlines. Methods to minimize powerline collisions will contribute to the species' long term recovery. We studied the flight behavior of sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) near powerlines marked with yellow aviation balls near the Platte River, Nebraska, in 1988-90. An age ratio of 24 juveniles:76 adults of 84 carcasses found under powerlines was significantly different from typical population ratios of 12: 88 for this species. Two-way contingency table analysis of crane flight behavior data indicated that cranes avoided markers (P < 0.(01), reducing the potential for collision. Proximity ofpowerlines to habitats used by cranes (P < 0.001), wind speed (P < 0.05), and age of bird (P < 0.(01) were important factors contributing to crane collisions with powerlines in Nebraska. Details are available in Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19(4):442-449. Key words: behavior, collisions, Grus canadensis, line markers, powerlines, sandhill crane PROC. NORTH AM. CRANE WORKSHOP 6: 177 IPresent address: Bureau of Land Management, 1150 Universily Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709 

BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOW
AVIATION BALLS

UNL | Libraries

University of Nebraska - Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln
North American Crane Workshop Proceedings North American Crane Working Group
1992
BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR
POWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOW
AVIATION BALLS
Anne E. Morkill
University of Wyoming
Stanley H. Anderson
University of Wyoming
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nacwgproc
Part of the Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Ornithology Commons,
Population Biology Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the North American Crane Working Group at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska -
Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in North American Crane Workshop Proceedings by an authorized administrator of
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Morkill, Anne E. and Anderson, Stanley H., "BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITH
YELLOW AVIATION BALLS" (1992). North American Crane Workshop Proceedings. 272.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nacwgproc/272
Proc. North Am. Crane Workshop 6:1992 ABSTRACTS 177 
MARKING POWER LINES TO REDUCE AVIAN COLLISION MORTALITY IN THE SAN LUIS 
VALLEY, COLORADO 
WENDY M. BROWN, Wildlife Research Institute, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 3246, Moscow, ID 83843 
RODERICK C. DREWIEN, Wildlife Research Institute, University of Idaho, P.O. Box 3246, Moscow, ID 83843 
Abstract: We examined the effectiveness of 2 marking devices designed to increase visibility of power lines and reduce avian 
collision mortality during spring and fall migration periods, 1988-91, in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Eight O.8-km segments 
of power line were marked with either yellow spiral vibration dampers or yellow fiberglass swinging plates and compared with 
8 adjoining unmarked segments. Primary species groups studied included cranes (Grus canadensis and G. americana), Canada 
geese (Brama canadensis), and ducks (various Anatinae). Raptors, shorebirds, wading birds, and passerines were also monitored. 
Both marker types reduced avian collision mortality by > 50% (n = 139, P < 0.02). Mortality rates (collisions/overflights) on 
marked lines were reduced by a factor of2.1 for ducks, 4.6 for cranes, and 6.7 for geese. Flight behavior responses to marked 
lines varied among species groups with regard to reaction type, reaction distance, and height above line. Cranes were more 
affected by marked lines with regard to their reaction type and distance than were geese or ducks. Generally, all species flew 
higher over marked lines. Weather, particularly wind, was a significant factor influencing collision frequency (P < 0.05). Juvenile 
cranes were more vulnerable to collisions than adults (P < 0.01). Most birds involved in collisions were healthy and in good-
excellent body condition, indicating disease and condition were not important factors influencing collision frequency. Because 
fiberglass plates caused structural damage to electric distribution lines, spiral vibration dampers used alone or in combination with 
avian marker balls are recommended as methods for reducing avian collision mortality in problem areas. 
Key Words': collisions, Grus americana, G. canadensis, power lines, sandhill crane, waterfowl, Whooping crane 
PROC. NORTH AM. CRANE WORKSHOP 6:177 
BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOW 
AVIATION BALLS 
ANNE E. MORKILL,' Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071 
STANLEY H. ANDERSON, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University 
of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071 
Abstract: The principal known cause of mortality for wild whooping cranes (Grus americana) is collision with powerlines. 
Methods to minimize powerline collisions will contribute to the species' long term recovery. We studied the flight behavior of 
sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) near powerlines marked with yellow aviation balls near the Platte River, Nebraska, in 1988-90. 
An age ratio of 24 juveniles:76 adults of 84 carcasses found under powerlines was significantly different from typical population 
ratios of 12: 88 for this species. Two-way contingency table analysis of crane flight behavior data indicated that cranes avoided 
markers (P < 0.(01), reducing the potential for collision. Proximity ofpowerlines to habitats used by cranes (P < 0.001), wind 
speed (P < 0.05), and age of bird (P < 0.(01) were important factors contributing to crane collisions with powerlines in 
Nebraska. Details are available in Wildl. Soc. Bull. 19(4):442-449. 
Key words: behavior, collisions, Grus canadensis, line markers, powerlines, sandhill crane 
PROC. NORTH AM. CRANE WORKSHOP 6: 177 
IPresent address: Bureau of Land Management, 1150 Universily Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99709 


https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1272&amp;context=nacwgproc

BEHAVIOR OF SANDHILL CRANES NEAR POWER LINES MARKED WITH YELLOW AVIATION BALLS

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska

UNL | Libraries