Coastal Habitat Use by Wood Storks During the Non-breeding Season

Partial cuts are increasingly proposed to maintain habitats for species negatively affected by clearcutting, even if their benefits on nonpasserine birds and large mammals are still poorly documented. Our main objective was to evaluate effects of commercial thinning (CT) on spruce grouse ( Falcipennis canadensis L.), a game bird of the boreal forest. Because this species is known to be associated with a dense vegetation cover, we hypothesized that habitat use would be lower in treated sites. In spring 2006, we evaluated site occupancy in 94 forest stands (50 CT and 44 uncut stands) in Quebec by visiting each on three occasions during the breeding season (March–May). Additionally, during the molting period (May–July), we used radiotelemetry to monitor habitat use by 19 males. As compared with uncut stands, results show that a lower proportion of CTs were used in spring (39% versus 60%, after accounting for detection). During the molting period, CTs were also used less than expected according to their availability. The significant reduction of lateral and vertical forest cover in CT may explain these results. We conclude that even if CT is perceived beneficial for wildlife, it does not completely fulfill the needs of species associated with dense understory vegetation, such as spruce grouse.

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Habitat Use by Prairie Raccoons during the Waterfowl Breeding Season

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.2307/3800698 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Erik K. Fritzell

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season

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Space fit for a king: spatial ecology of king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) in Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-18000008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 163-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Benjamin Michael Marshall ◽

Colin Thomas Strine ◽

Max Dolton Jones ◽

Taksin Artchawakom ◽

Ines Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Protected Area ◽

Spatial Ecology ◽

Radio Telemetry ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Adult Males ◽

Anthropogenic Pressures ◽

Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽

Ophiophagus Hannah

Abstract A species’ spatial ecology has direct implications for that species’ conservation. Far-ranging species may be more difficult to conserve because their movements increase their chances of encountering humans. The movements can take them out of protected areas, which is especially risky for species that are routinely persecuted. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), a large venomous elapid, is subject to anthropogenic pressures, such as persecution and habitat loss. Here we present results from a study using radio telemetry to quantify movements and habitat use of nine king cobras in and around a protected area in Northeast Thailand. This study is the first investigation into the movements and habitat use of king cobras outside of the Western Ghats, India. On average, the tracked king cobra’s use areas of 493.42 ± 335.60 ha (95% fixed kernel), moving 183.24 ± 82.63 m per day. King cobras did not remain in intact forested area. Five of the individuals frequently used the human-dominated agricultural areas surrounding the protected area, appearing to make regular use of irrigation canals. Two adult males showed increases in movements during the breeding season. One male’s increased breeding season range caused him to venture beyond the protected area, shifting his habitat use from intact forests to scrub in human-dominated areas. King cobras’ large home range and willingness to use anthropogenic landscapes merits special consideration from conservation planners.

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The Ecology of Rattus lutreolus III*. The Rise and Fall of a Commensal Population

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9800199 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 199 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

RW Braithwaite

Keyword(s):

Body Size ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Sexual Maturity ◽

Free Living ◽

Mark Recapture

A free-living population of R. lutreolus living in and around the zoo enclosures of the Sir Colin MacKenzie Fauna Park at Healesville was studied for 27 months by use of mark-recapture trapping techniques. The demography of this population is compared with that of a natural heathland population. The breeding season was 2-3 months longer, growth of juveniles was more rapid, sexual maturity earlier, minimum survival shorter, body size larger, and habitat use less restricted in the commensal population. The evolution of the population and its decline are discussed.

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Home Range and Habitat Use of New Zealand Falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) in an Exotic Plantation Forest During the Breeding Season

Journal of Raptor Research ◽

10.3356/jrr-12-26.1 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 223-233

Author(s):

Richard Seaton ◽

Edward O. Minot ◽

John D. Holland

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Home Range ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Plantation Forest

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Seasonal differences in habitat use and fat reserves in an arctic muskrat population

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z89-045 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 305-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dennis E. Jelinski

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Discriminant Function ◽

Function Analysis ◽

Good Condition ◽

Food Habit ◽

Winter Habitat ◽

Resource Defense ◽

Fat Reserves ◽

Access To Food

Differences in summer and winter habitat use by muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) were studied in the Mackenzie River Delta, Northwest Territories, Canada. Quantitative data consisting of 11 habitat variables were obtained from 73 winter and 119 summer burrow sites. The single discriminant function derived from a discriminant function analysis of summer and winter burrow sites was strongly correlated with variables interpreted as describing food, cover, and overwinter survival of muskrats. During summer, muskrat burrows were closer to shallow water, on gentler slopes with greater cover, and occurred closer to stands of horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) than in winter. Food habit analyses revealed that high-protein E. fluviatile was the most frequently consumed species in summer. Muskrats of both sexes were found to enter the breeding season in extremely good condition when judged on the basis of body fat; the costs of breeding, lactation, and resource defense are hypothesized to account for the low-fat condition noted at the onset of winter. Prior to winter, muskrats relocated to deep-water sites, possibly to maintain access to food and (or) forage on the energy-rich roots and rhizomes of submerged macrophytes. The change in habitat use, coupled with physiological adaptations to cold, is suggested to account for the winter recovery in fat reserves. These same reserves can be mobilized in spring at the onset of the metabolically demanding breeding season.

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Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): community structure, foraging, and social interactions

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3500 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3500 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melissa R. Price ◽

William K. Hayes

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Life Stages ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Age Classes ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Second Year

Our ability to prevent extinction in declining populations often depends on effective management of habitats that are disturbed through wildfire, logging, agriculture, or development. In these disturbed landscapes, the juxtaposition of multiple habitat types can be especially important to fledglings and young birds, which may leave breeding grounds in human-altered habitat for different habitats nearby that provide increased foraging opportunities, reduced competition, and higher protection from predators. In this study, we evaluated the importance of three habitat types to two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi), a synanthropic songbird endemic to Andros, The Bahamas. First, we determined the avian species composition and relative abundance of I. northropi among three major vegetation types on Andros: Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) forest, coppice (broadleaf dry forest), and anthropogenic areas, dominated by nonnative vegetation (farmland and developed land). We then compared the foraging strategies and social interactions of two age classes of adult Bahama Orioles in relation to differential habitat use. Bird surveys late in the Bahama Oriole’s breeding season indicated the number of avian species and Bahama Oriole density were highest in coppice. Some bird species occurring in the coppice and pine forest were never observed in agricultural or residential areas, and may be at risk if human disturbance of pine forest and coppice increases, as is occurring at a rapid pace on Andros. During the breeding season, second-year (SY) adult Bahama Orioles foraged in all vegetation types, whereas after-second-year (ASY) adults were observed foraging only in anthropogenic areas, where the species nested largely in introduced coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Additionally, SY adults foraging in anthropogenic areas were often observed with an ASY adult, suggesting divergent habitat use for younger, unpaired birds. Other aspects of foraging (vegetation features, food-gleaning behavior, and food items) were similar for the two age classes. Older Bahama Orioles exhibited relatively higher rates of social interactions (intraspecific and interspecific pooled) in anthropogenic areas, and won more interaction outcomes compared to younger adults. Our findings concur with those of other studies indicating dry broadleaf forest is vitally important to migrating, wintering, and resident birds, including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which appears to depend heavily on this vegetation type during certain life stages.

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