AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

Vegetative Characteristics of Successful and Unsuccessful Nests of Lesser Prairie Chickens

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1992
Authors:Riley, TZ, Davis, CA, Ortiz, M, Wisdom, MJ
Journal:The Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:56
Issue:2
Date Published:1992
ISBN Number:0022541X
Keywords:Phasianidae, Tympanuchus, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus
Abstract:Most descriptions of vegetation at lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) nests do not differentiate between those that are successful or unsuccessful. Consequently, we used radio telemetry and ground searching to analyze vegetative characteristics around 36 lesser prairie chicken nests in areas where vegetation was dominated by a mixture of shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) and grassland in eastern Chaves County, New Mexico. Female prairie chickens primarily used bluestem grasses as nesting cover. Basal composition of sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) was greater (P ≤ 0.05) around successful than unsuccessful nests. Plants at successful nests were taller (x̄ = 66.6 cm, P < 0.02) than those at unsuccessful nests (x̄ = 34.9 cm). Lesser prairie chicken nesting habitat could be improved in southeastern New Mexico by increasing the composition and height of sand bluestem within potential nesting habitats.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/3808839
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