AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Home Range Characteristics of Ruffed Grouse Broods in Minnesota

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1975
Authors:Godfrey, GA
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:39
Issue:2
Date Published:1975
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Bonasa, Bonasa umbellus, Phasianidae, Philomachus, Philomachus pugnax, Scolopacidae
Abstract:Home ranges of six ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) broods in northeastern Minnesota were determined by radiotelemetry in 1964 and 1965. Mean size of the brood ranges was 12.9 ha, and average daily movement within the ranges was 376.8 m. The maximum distance of travel for a brood in one day was 966 m, with no movement occurring at night. Spatial overlap of two brood ranges took place, but occupancy of the area was at different times. Lowlands of moist soils, dominated by homogeneous stands of mature speckled alder (Alnus rugosa) and containing a diversity and profusion of ground layer vegetation, were utilized 63.6 percent of the time. Drier upland communities were utilized 13.4 percent of the tracking time, and stands of lowland conifer were used solely for roosting. Objective methods are used to describe the major habitat within the home ranges. Because the grouse population was at its lowest level in 12 years, the habitat occupied by these radio-tracked broods is considered quite representative of the community selected for brood range.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3799905
Short Title:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith