| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1969 |
| Authors: | Shields, RH, Benham, EL |
| Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume: | 33 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| Date Published: | 1969 |
| ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
| Keywords: | Anatidae, Branta, Branta canadensis, Gruidae, Grus, Grus americana, Grus canadensis, Grus grus |
| Abstract: | Two 97-acre experimental fenced fields were developed on the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, for supplemental feeding of whooping cranes (Grus americana) during the winters of 1964-65 through 1967-68. Inclement weather during the 1964-65 period altered the cranes' normal feeding behavior on coastal flats and resulted in use of the special food plots and consumption of such foods as seedheads of hegari (Sorghum vulgare), kernels of corn, and the green shoots of wheat. The winter weather of 1965-66 was more favorable, and cranes showed preference for the natural feeding areas of the coastal tidelands and made little use of the special food plots. Moderate consumption of farm crops by whooping cranes occurred in the 1966-67 winter. Hurricane Beulah struck the Texas Coast during September, 1967, and invalidated data for the 1967-68 period. Sandhill cranes (G. canadensis) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were attracted to and made use of the supplemental food crops. Observed waterfowl food preferences included cereal crops such as wheat, corn, milo (S. vulgare), and legumes, plus peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) and field peas (Vigna sinensis). Milo, corn, field peas, and peanuts were provided primarily for whooping cranes, while wheat browse served to attract sandhill cranes and Canada geese away from those crops raised for the whooping cranes. |
| URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3799311 |
| Short Title: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
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