AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Autumn Movements of Blue Grouse and Their Relevance to Populations and Management

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1968
Authors:Zwickel, FC, Buss, IO, Brigham, JH
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:32
Issue:3
Date Published:1968
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Dendragapus, Dendragapus obscurus, Phasianidae
Abstract:Hunting season recoveries of blue grouse (Dendragapus obscurus pallidus) banded on a breeding range in north-central Washington indicate that autumn migrations of blue grouse are often much longer than is commonly believed. The longest movement recorded was 31 miles. Fifty percent of the birds were recovered over 5 miles, and 30 percent over 10 miles, from where they were banded. Most movements were toward the north; most recoveries were from the Douglas fir or spruce-fir vegetative zones, mainly between 3,000 and 5,000 ft in elevation. Birds dispersed over an area some 25 times as large as the breeding range where banded. Those from different sections of the breeding range apparently went to different wintering areas. Only 4.2 percent of the banded birds were reported as being recovered by hunters. Breeding populations appeared to be much higher on an ungrazed range, where banding was done, than on surrounding rangelands. Breeding densities appear to be related to the condition of breeding range.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3798923
Short Title:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Taxonomic name: 
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith