AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Seasonal Movements of Sage Grouse in Southeastern Idaho

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1988
Authors:Connelly, JW, Browers, HW, Gates, RJ
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:52
Issue:1
Date Published:1988
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Centrocercus, Centrocercus urophasianus, Phasianidae
Abstract:We studied seasonal movements of sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) on, and adjacent to, the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in southeastern Idaho from summer 1977 through fall 1983. The study area included a mountain valley and sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) lowlands. Sage grouse used contiguous areas for wintering and breeding but moved as far as 82 km from winter and breeding areas to summer range. Juvenile sage grouse (n = 32) moved a mean distance of 14.9 km from summer to winter ranges and adult grouse (n = 33) moved a mean distance of 11.3 km. Male sage grouse from the mountain-valley population moved farther to summer range than did mountain-valley females and both sexes from lowland populations (P < 0.05). Movements by male and female sage grouse during fall were generally slow and meandering. Movements by females during spring were also slow and meandering compared to the relatively rapid and direct movements by males. Distances moved were not entirely influenced by the proximity of seasonal habitats, suggesting that seasonal movements tend to be traditional. Sage grouse populations should be defined on a temporal and geographic basis. Protection of sagebrush habitats within a 3.2 km radius of leks may not be sufficient to ensure the protection of year-long habitat requirements.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3801070
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