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United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

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Articles 1231 - 1260 of 1529

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Coyote-Activated Frightening Devices For Reducing Sheep Predation On Open Range, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Steve Moyles Jan 2003

Coyote-Activated Frightening Devices For Reducing Sheep Predation On Open Range, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Steve Moyles

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Domestic sheep ranching is an important agricultural industry in the United States and coyote (Canis latrans) depredation on lambs and ewes continues to challenge ranchers and agencies responsible for protecting sheep. Lethal methods used in controlling coyote depredation include aerial gunning, toxicants, trapping, and calling and shooting. Nonlethal methods include frightening devices, fences, livestock protection animals, and stringent husbandry practices. Ranchers and agencies responsible for controlling coyote depredation need frightening devices that are more effective than those currently available. We describe a field evaluation of 2 animal-activated frightening devices: an acoustic device and an acoustic device with a …


Coyote-Activated Frightening Devices For Reducing Sheep Predation On Open Range, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Steve Moyles Jan 2003

Coyote-Activated Frightening Devices For Reducing Sheep Predation On Open Range, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Michael J. Lavelle, Steve Moyles

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Domestic sheep ranching is an important agricultural industry in the United States and coyote (Canis latrans) depredation on lambs and ewes continues to challenge ranchers and agencies responsible for protecting sheep. Lethal methods used in controlling coyote depredation include aerial gunning, toxicants, trapping, and calling and shooting. Nonlethal methods include frightening devices, fences, livestock protection animals, and stringent husbandry practices. Ranchers and agencies responsible for controlling coyote depredation need frightening devices that are more effective than those currently available. We describe a field evaluation of 2 animal-activated frightening devices: an acoustic device and an acoustic device with a …


A Coyote In Sheep's Clothing: Predator Identification From Saliva, Christen Lenney Williams, Karen Blejwas, John J. Johnston, Michael M. Jaeger Jan 2003

A Coyote In Sheep's Clothing: Predator Identification From Saliva, Christen Lenney Williams, Karen Blejwas, John J. Johnston, Michael M. Jaeger

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and microsatellite analyses to identify canid species, gender, and individual genotype in samples containing a large excess of domestic sheep DNA. These methods were then used to investigate the feasibility of identifying predators from saliva on predation wounds. We analyzed predation wound samples from 19 sheep carcasses. Coyote DNA was identified in 18 samples (95%), of which 17 contained male coyote DNA (94%) and 11 (61%) yielded heterozygous microsatellite genotypes at 21 locus. These methods have promise for genetic identification of individual predators.


Mycobacterial Diseases In Wildlife, Gary W. Witmer, Thomas Deliberto, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Peter Butchko Jan 2003

Mycobacterial Diseases In Wildlife, Gary W. Witmer, Thomas Deliberto, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Peter Butchko

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Mycobacterium infections occur in numerous wildlife species worldwide and this bacterial genus can also cause disease in humans and livestock. Two Mycobacterium species and one subspecies that infect wildlife are important from a wildlife damage management perspective. Mycobacterium avium, avian tuberculosis, is a ubiquitous and cosmopolitan disease of wild and domestic birds. Wild and domestic ruminants are host to M. avium paratuberculosis, also known as Johne’s disease. Finally, Mycobaterium bovis, bovine tuberculosis, is primarily associated with domestic and wild bovines and ungulates, but also infects many other species of mammals. Eradicating these diseases from wildlife populations is …


Management Of Rodent Populations At Airports, Gary W. Witmer, Jessica W. Fantinato Jan 2003

Management Of Rodent Populations At Airports, Gary W. Witmer, Jessica W. Fantinato

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Birds pose serious hazards at U.S. airports because of the potential for collisions with aircraft. Raptors, in particular, are hazardous to aircraft safety due to their size, hunting behavior, and hovering/soaring habits. Reduction of rodent populations at an airport may decrease raptor populations in the area and therefore, reduce the risk that raptors pose to aircraft. Rodent populations can be reduced by population management (i.e., use of rodenticides) or by habitat management (i.e., vegetation management, barriers, and land uses) that reduces the area’s carrying capacity for rodents. We discuss potential approaches to reduce rodent populations at airports within the context …


Feral Swine---Are They A Disease Threat To Livestock In The United States?, Gary W. Witmer, Robert B. Sanders, Arnold C. Taft Jan 2003

Feral Swine---Are They A Disease Threat To Livestock In The United States?, Gary W. Witmer, Robert B. Sanders, Arnold C. Taft

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Feral swine populations provide both benefits and liabilities to citizens of the United States. Their expanding range and increasing densities, however, have raised concern over the adverse environmental and agricultural effects and the increased risk of disease transmission between feral swine and livestock. We discuss the role of feral swine in the transmission of wildlife diseases and, in particular, in diseases of national significance to the livestock industry. We also discuss available management tools and strategies for reducing feral swine populations, minimizing damage or disease occurrences and eradicating populations when deemed appropriate. Finally, we note areas of research that may …


The Use Of Toxicants In Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management: An Overview, Gary W. Witmer, Kathleen A. Fagerstone Jan 2003

The Use Of Toxicants In Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management: An Overview, Gary W. Witmer, Kathleen A. Fagerstone

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Black-tailed prairie dogs pose management challenges to landowners and resource managers. They are viewed as either a pest when they cause damage to vegetation or property or pose a disease hazard or, conversely, as a valuable Akeystone@ species representative of reasonably intact prairie ecosystems. When conflicts arise with prairie dog colonies, the two main options are capture and relocation or lethal removal. There are a number of vertebrate toxicants registered for field use in the United States, but few are currently registered for prairie dog control. Only one, zinc phosphide, can be applied above ground as a grain bait. The …


Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management In Urban-Suburban Settings: Opportunities And Challenges, Gary W. Witmer, Mark Brennan, Donna Dees, Brian Hoffmann, Frances Pusateri, Cary Richardson, David Seery Jan 2003

Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Management In Urban-Suburban Settings: Opportunities And Challenges, Gary W. Witmer, Mark Brennan, Donna Dees, Brian Hoffmann, Frances Pusateri, Cary Richardson, David Seery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Among the many human-wildlife conflicts that occur across North America, some of the most contentious occur at the interface of urban and suburban lands and adjoining rural landscapes. Along the Colorado Front Range, one of the more difficult situations faced by local governments and municipalities involves black-tailed prairie dog colonies. These colonies are relicts of the expansive colonies that once occurred across much of the prairies of North America. Although these colonies are relatively small and, usually, highly fragmented, they represent an important link to our natural history, provide a valuable wildlife-viewing experience and allow the promotion of public education …


Characteristics Of Mountain Lion Bed, Cache And Kill Sites In Northeastern Oregon, James J. Akenson, M. Cathy Nowak, Mark G. Henjum, Gary W. Witmer Jan 2003

Characteristics Of Mountain Lion Bed, Cache And Kill Sites In Northeastern Oregon, James J. Akenson, M. Cathy Nowak, Mark G. Henjum, Gary W. Witmer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We described mountain lion (Puma concolor) habitat characteristics during two studies in the same area of northeastern Oregon during the 1990s. In the first study (1992-1994) we evaluated micro-habitat features associated with 61 diurnal bed sites that were not associated with kills. We used similar techniques in the second study (1996- 1998) to evaluate habitat features at 79 cache sites near lion-killed prey. A dog was used to find 93% of the diurnal bed sites. Radio telemetry triangulation was used in the second study. Characteristics of diurnal bed sites and cache sites were compared with random habitat plots. …


A Review Of Pathogens Of Agricultural And Human Health Interest Found In Canada Geese, Larry Clark Jan 2003

A Review Of Pathogens Of Agricultural And Human Health Interest Found In Canada Geese, Larry Clark

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The roles that waterfowl in general, and Canada geese in particular, have in the dissemination and transmission of viral and bacterial diseases of human or agricultural importance are covered in this review. In addition to the biological information about the etiology of the disease, economic impacts and zoonotic potential of viral and bacterial pathogens are considered. In most cases existing evidence suggests the importance of waterfowl in disease dissemination and transmission, however, definitive data are often lacking, indicating the need for more directed studies before quantitative risk assessments can be made. Finally, a brief assessment of management options is considered.


Development Of A Synthetic Materials Mimic For Vulture Olfaction Research, Richard E. Mauldin, Bruce A. Kimball, John J. Johnston, Jerome C. Hurley, Michael L. Avery Jan 2003

Development Of A Synthetic Materials Mimic For Vulture Olfaction Research, Richard E. Mauldin, Bruce A. Kimball, John J. Johnston, Jerome C. Hurley, Michael L. Avery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Since the early 1990's, an increase in damage associated with the activities of black (Coragyps atratus) and turkey (Cathartes aura) vultures has been observed. These activities include extensive damage to real and personal property. Vultures display an affinity for objects made of synthetic materials such as vinyl or plastic, and frequently damage items such as seat cushions, roof shingles, and caulking sealant. To explore whether this behavior in vultures is olfactorily driven, volatile compounds emitted by 21 vulture-damaged objects were collected and analyzed using purge-and-trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results from these analyses were tabulated and the …


Comparison Of Isoflurane And Sevoflurane For Anesthesia In Beaver, Stewart W. Breck, James S. Gaynor Jan 2003

Comparison Of Isoflurane And Sevoflurane For Anesthesia In Beaver, Stewart W. Breck, James S. Gaynor

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We compared the hemodynamic and respiratory effects, recovery time, and cost of two gas inhalants (isoflurane and sevoflurane) for anesthetic induction and maintenance of beaver (Castor canadensis) during surgery to implant radio transmitters in the peritoneal cavity. Heart rate, respiratory rate, relative hemoglobin saturation with oxygen (SpO2), and body temperature were measured every 5 min for the first 45 min, and arterial blood gas was measured once, 25 min into the anesthetic procedure. Induction for either agent was smooth and rapid. Heart rate and respiratory rate both decreased during the procedure though neither was lower than …


Beaver Population Size Estimation In Mississippi, Seth R. Swafford, Dale L. Nolte, Kris Godwin, Charles A. Sloan, Jeanne Jones Jan 2003

Beaver Population Size Estimation In Mississippi, Seth R. Swafford, Dale L. Nolte, Kris Godwin, Charles A. Sloan, Jeanne Jones

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Methods to better quantify beaver (Castor canadensis) population size need to be developed to assist in the direct control methods being implemented by Wildlife Services. Many state game and fish departments rely on lodge counts, cache counts, or fur harvest reports to estimate a station-wide or regional population of beaver. However, Wildlife Services is concerned with estimating population size on a per site basis to assist in estimating project costs and to minimize the number of non-target captures. Six sites in Mississippi were selected to test various methods of population estimation. Various methods included indexing population size based …


Potential Chemicals To Manage Llght Goose Populations, John Cummings, Pete Poulos Jan 2003

Potential Chemicals To Manage Llght Goose Populations, John Cummings, Pete Poulos

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Over-abundant light geese are having long-term negative effects on the Arctic tundra ecosystem. Significant damage to native plants, increases in soil degradation and impacts on bird communities are likely to be the main consequences (Batt 1998). The extent of which over-abundant light geese reduce food and cover for other wildlife on wintering grounds and migration routes is not well documented, although anecdotal observations suggest that light geese could compete with wintering waterfowl for food, i.e. Louisiana rice fields (J. L. Curnmings, National Wildlife Research Center, personal observation).


Wildlife Road-Kills In An Urban Park In Florida, Henry T. Smith, Robert M. Barry, Richard M. Engeman, Stephanie A. Shwiff, William J.B. Miller Jan 2003

Wildlife Road-Kills In An Urban Park In Florida, Henry T. Smith, Robert M. Barry, Richard M. Engeman, Stephanie A. Shwiff, William J.B. Miller

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife mortality due to collisions with motor vehicles is a problem within managed natural areas in Florida and worldwide (Skoog 1982; Smith et al. 1994; Foster and Humphrey 1995; Jackson 1996; Bertwistle 1999; Brown et al. 1999; Evink 1999; Gunther and Biel 1999; Phillips 1999; Trombulak and Frissell 2000; Hels and Buchwald 2001; Bard et al. 2002a,b; Fahrig et al. 2002; Foresman 2002; Gilbert et al. 2002). We here report wildlife mortality due to collisions with vehicles during 1997-2000 at John U. Lloyd State Park (JULSP), a 125.75-ha, mixed-use, urban state park located approximately 8 km south of Fort Lauderdale, …


Oral Rabies Vaccination: Reducing Economic Uncertainty Via Response Surface Analysis, Ray T. Sterner, Matthew A. Kling, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Dennis Slate Jan 2003

Oral Rabies Vaccination: Reducing Economic Uncertainty Via Response Surface Analysis, Ray T. Sterner, Matthew A. Kling, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Dennis Slate

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Economic uncertainty surrounds the distribution of Raboral V-RG7 as an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait for the containment or elimination of raccoon-variant rabies in the United States. This paper describes a costs-savings model of ORV. It also describes Excel XP7 code that was prepared to compute potential net savings (NS) and benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) associated with Raboral V-RG7 bait distributions. Currently, baits and bait distributions are relatively expensive; individual baits are produced at a cost of $1.27 for federal use and typically dispensed at >75 baits/km2. Distribution is estimated at $8.62/km2, $15.80/km2, and $33.30/km2 for …


Double-Crested Cormorant Impacts To Commercial And Natural Resources, Jimmy D. Taylor Ii, Brian S. Dorr Jan 2003

Double-Crested Cormorant Impacts To Commercial And Natural Resources, Jimmy D. Taylor Ii, Brian S. Dorr

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The North American population of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) has increased at an annual rate of 6.8% since 1966, with regional growth exceeding 20%/year since 1990 in Ontario and states bordering the Great Lakes. Population numbers, though operating under biological carrying capacity, have exceeded acceptance capacity with several wildlife stakeholder groups throughout Canada and the United States. Stakeholder concerns predominantly focus around social, ecological, and economic values associated with habitat destruction, changes in recreational fisheries, and loss of production at aquaculture facilities. We describe perceptible impacts to these commercial and natural resources, and discuss current research and management …


Status Of Double-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax Auritus Research And Management In North America, Scott J. Werner, Shauna L. Hanisch Jan 2003

Status Of Double-Crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax Auritus Research And Management In North America, Scott J. Werner, Shauna L. Hanisch

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The Double-crested Cormorant, the most abundant of North America’s six cormorant species, has rebounded to high numbers after new extirpation in the 1960s and early 1970s. Enhanced environmental regulations and the availability of prey fishes facilitated the resurgence of Double-crested Cormorant populations by the mid-1970s and numbers have continued to increase steadily in most geographic regions through the present. The North American population of Double-crested Cormorants has been estimated at one to two million birds. Concerns about impacts of Double-crested Cormorants on aquacultural stock, sport fish populations, other birds, vegetation, private property, and local economies have been raised. Economic impacts …


Blackbirds And Corn In Ohio, Richard A. Dolbeer Dec 2002

Blackbirds And Corn In Ohio, Richard A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Damage to corn by blackbirds (Icteridae) has been an economic problem throughout historical times in North America. Ohio, with the highest nesting season population density of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in North America and large acreages of corn, has been a key State in this conflict. Surveys of damage from 1968 to 1979 revealed that blackbirds annually destroyed less than 1% of the corn crops in Ohio, a 4- to 6-million dollar loss at 1979 prices. This total dollar loss is somewhat misleading because of the uneven distribution of damage among fields. Over 97% of the cornfields in Ohio receive …


Evaluation Of Lasers To Disperse American Crows, Corvus Brachyrhynchos, From Urban Night Roosts, W.P. Gorenzel, B. F. Blackwell, G.D. Simmons, T.P. Salmon, R.A. Dolbeer Dec 2002

Evaluation Of Lasers To Disperse American Crows, Corvus Brachyrhynchos, From Urban Night Roosts, W.P. Gorenzel, B. F. Blackwell, G.D. Simmons, T.P. Salmon, R.A. Dolbeer

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) have a long history of causing agricultural damage in North America. Shooting and bombing at crow night roosts have been employed to reduce such damage. Most roosts were located in rural locations, but in the latter half of the 1900s crows began to roost in urban locations. Urban crow roosts are presently a nationwide problem in the United States. Thousands of crows at a roost create problems for businesses and residents. Improved control techniques are needed. Lasers have been used in Europe to scare and disperse birds but the technique has only recently received formal testing. …


A Socioeconomic And Biological Evaluation Of Current And Hypothetical Crappie Regulations In Sardis Lake, Mississippi: An Integrated Approach, Brian Dorr, Ian A. Munn, Keith O. Meals Nov 2002

A Socioeconomic And Biological Evaluation Of Current And Hypothetical Crappie Regulations In Sardis Lake, Mississippi: An Integrated Approach, Brian Dorr, Ian A. Munn, Keith O. Meals

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We conducted a socioeconomic survey and review of existing biological data in an integrated evaluation of current and hypothetical fishery regulations on crappies Pomoxis spp. in Sardis Lake, Mississippi. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess angler acceptance of current and hypothetical harvest restrictions, (2) determine the recreational value of the crappie fishery to its participants, (3) estimate possible changes in recreational value based on angler responses to hypothetical regulations, and (4) integrate the results of the socioeconomic surveys with existing biological information. Using the travel cost method, we estimated mean expenditures at US$29.48 and average consumer surplus …


Field Evaluation Of Flight ControlTm To Reduce Blackbird Damage To Newly Planted Rice, John L. Cummings, Michael L. Avery, Owen Mathre, E. Allen Wilson, Darryl L. York, Richard M. Engeman, Patricia A. Pochop, James E. Davis Jr. Nov 2002

Field Evaluation Of Flight ControlTm To Reduce Blackbird Damage To Newly Planted Rice, John L. Cummings, Michael L. Avery, Owen Mathre, E. Allen Wilson, Darryl L. York, Richard M. Engeman, Patricia A. Pochop, James E. Davis Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

An effective, economic, and environmentally safe bird repellent is needed to reduce blackbird (Icterinae) depredations to newly planted rice. We evaluated Flight ControlTM, a 50% anthraquinone product, as a seed treatment for newly planted rice. We treated rice seed with Flight Control at a 2% (g/g) concentration (1% active anthraquinone) the day of planting. This concentration reduced the number of blackbirds (P=0.0003) using treated fields and blackbird damage to rice seed (P=0.0124). The chemical concentration of anthraquinone on rice seed averaged 0.79% (SE=0.06%) at planting; 0.39% (SE= 0.04%) at day I, 0.34% (SE=0.05%) at …


Assessment Of Cabergoline As A Reproductive Inhibitor In Coyotes (Canis Latrans), T. J. Deliberto, A. Seglund, W. Jochle, B. Kimball Oct 2002

Assessment Of Cabergoline As A Reproductive Inhibitor In Coyotes (Canis Latrans), T. J. Deliberto, A. Seglund, W. Jochle, B. Kimball

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The efficacy of three oral formulations (gelatin capsule, tablet, oil base) and five dosages (50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 μg) of cabergoline to disrupt reproduction in coyotes (Canis latrans) was evaluated. The type of formulation used had no effect on plasma progesterone and prolactin concentrations or on mean litter size. No adverse side effects (for example, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea) were observed despite the use of doses of up to 20 times the therapeutic dose used for domestic dogs and cats. All coyotes treated with 50, 100, 250 and 500 μg cabergoline whelped, but plasma progesterone concentrations in these coyotes were …


Wildlife Fertility Control, K.A. Fagerstone Oct 2002

Wildlife Fertility Control, K.A. Fagerstone

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Huge flights of Canada geese turn off local park visitors with their messy, smelly "business cards." The superabundant white-tailed deer we love to watch also can do a number on your car at night and host the ticks that carry Lyme Disease. Blackbirds and gulls and coyotes and other critters bring their own problems when their numbers get out of hand.

Most such problems reach their highest profile in urban/suburban areas where traditional animal-control techniques such as hunting and trapping are frowned upon or illegal. More and more people are calling for wildlife managers to use "fertility control"–-but is that …


Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Synthetic Grit Formulations Sustain The Delivery Of Nicarbazin, A Contraceptive Agent, In Pest Waterfowl, Jerome C. Hurley, John J. Johnston Aug 2002

Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Synthetic Grit Formulations Sustain The Delivery Of Nicarbazin, A Contraceptive Agent, In Pest Waterfowl, Jerome C. Hurley, John J. Johnston

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Sixty-three mallards were fed one of ten poly(methyl methacrylate) based synthetic grit formulations containing varying concentrations of a proposed wildlife contraceptive (nicarbazin), plasticizer (acetyl tributylcitrate) and/or cross-linking agent (1,4-butanediol diacrylate). Release characteristics of the contraceptive agent were monitored for the purpose of developing a contraceptive formulation for control of pest waterfowl in urban settings. The addition of plasticizer increased the erosion rate (t1/2=0.97-2.85 days), cross-linking the polymer matrix slightly decreased the erosion rate (t1/2=4.45-5.05 days) and increasing the concentration of the contraceptive agent increased the erosion rate (t1/2= 3 . 3 …


Dietary Overlap Between Wolves And Coyotes In Northwestern Montana, Wendy M. Arjo, Daniel H. Pletscher, Robert R. Ream Aug 2002

Dietary Overlap Between Wolves And Coyotes In Northwestern Montana, Wendy M. Arjo, Daniel H. Pletscher, Robert R. Ream

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We studied effects of recolonizing wolves (Canis lupus) in the North Fork of the Flathead area of northwestern Montana on the diets of coyotes (C. latrans) from 1994 to 1997. Wolf and coyote diets differed in frequency of occurrence of prey species during 3 of the 4 summers and winters (P< 0.001) during the study. Coyote diets contained more murid prey items, and wolf diets contained more deer (Odocoileus virginianus and O. hemionus) in the summer and elk (Cervus elaphus) in the winter. Coyotes and wolves ate prey of different size during both the summer (P < 0.001) and winter (P < 0.001) months in 1994– 1996: wolves took a greater proportion (P < 0.001) of large (>45 kg) prey species and coyotes, small (<2 kg) prey (P < 0.001). Wolves selected a larger proportion of adults (P …


Use Of Sensory Cues By Fish Crows Corvus Ossifragus Preying On Artificial Bird Nests, Leonard Santisteban, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery Jul 2002

Use Of Sensory Cues By Fish Crows Corvus Ossifragus Preying On Artificial Bird Nests, Leonard Santisteban, Kathryn E. Sieving, Michael L. Avery

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

How predators locate avian nests is poorly understood and has been subjected to little experimental inquiry. We examined which sensory stimuli were important in the nest-finding behavior of fish crowsCorvus ossifragus, a common nest predator in the southeastern United States. Using an array of potted trees in a large enclosure, we presented artificial nests to captive crows and quantified responses to visual, auditory, and olfactory nest cues, and nest position. Partial ranks of nest-treatment preferences were analyzed using log-linear models. Nest visibility significantly increased the likelihood of predation by fish crows and increasing nest height was a marginally significant influence …


Beaver Herbivory And Its Effect On Cottonwood Trees: Influence Of Flooding Along Matched Regulated And Unregulated Rivers, Stewart W. Breck, Kenneth R. Wilson, Douglas C. Andersen Jul 2002

Beaver Herbivory And Its Effect On Cottonwood Trees: Influence Of Flooding Along Matched Regulated And Unregulated Rivers, Stewart W. Breck, Kenneth R. Wilson, Douglas C. Andersen

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

We compared beaver (Castor canadensis) foraging patterns on Fremont cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. wislizenii ) saplings and the probability of saplings being cut on a 10 km reach of the flow-regulated Green River and a 8.6 km reach of the free-flowing Yampa River in northwestern Colorado. We measured the abundance and density of cottonwood on each reach and followed the fates of individually marked saplings in three patches of cottonwood on the Yampa River and two patches on the Green River. Two natural floods on the Yampa River and one controlled flood on the Green River between …


Evaluation Of Flight Control® To Reduce Blackbird Damage To Newly Planted Rice In Louisiana, John L. Cummings, Patricia A. Pochop, Richard M. Engeman, James E. Davis Jr., Thomas M. Primus Jul 2002

Evaluation Of Flight Control® To Reduce Blackbird Damage To Newly Planted Rice In Louisiana, John L. Cummings, Patricia A. Pochop, Richard M. Engeman, James E. Davis Jr., Thomas M. Primus

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Blackbirds cause extensive damage to newly planted and ripening rice. To date there is not a registered bird repellent for reducing this damage. We evaluated Flight Control®, a 50% anthraquinone product, as a potential repellent to blackbirds in cage and field tests in Louisiana. In one- and no-choice cage tests, brown-headed cowbird and red-winged blackbird consumption of 2%) Flight control® treated rice seed was significantly reduced. In a subsequent field test. 2% Flight control® was effective in reducing blackbird damage (P = 0.001 ) to newly planted rice seed. Chemical residues at 7 days post-planting averaged 0.66% anthraquinone. Further …


Potential Hazards Of Drc- 1339 Treated Rice To Non-Target Birds When Used At Roost Staging Areas In Louisiana To Reduce Local Populations Of Depredating Blackbirds, John L. Cummings, James F. Glahn, E. Allen Wilson, James E. Davis Jr. Jul 2002

Potential Hazards Of Drc- 1339 Treated Rice To Non-Target Birds When Used At Roost Staging Areas In Louisiana To Reduce Local Populations Of Depredating Blackbirds, John L. Cummings, James F. Glahn, E. Allen Wilson, James E. Davis Jr.

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Hazards of DRC-1339 treated brown rice to non-target birds were assessed during an operational baiting program near Point Blue, Louisiana, USA. The predominant non-target birds using DRC-1339 bait sites and surrounding habitat were savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), killdeers (Charadrius rociferus), and unidentified sparrows (Fringillidae). Systematic searches of DRC-1339 bait sites and adjacent habitat for non-target dead or affected birds produced 1 northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis). There was no mortality of potential non-target species, savannah sparrows, white-crown sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys), field sparrows (Spizella pusilla …