Publications
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below. Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 1907
Effects of shrub coverages on birds of North Dakota mixed-grass prairies
We studied the distribution and density of passerine birds in relation to Wolfberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) and Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) shrub coverages on mixed-grass prairies of central North Dakota. Birds were counted along shrubby and shrubless transects during the 1982 breeding season. Species richness and total density of birds were greater on shrubby transects. Five species w
Authors
T.W. Arnold, K.F. Higgins
Post fledging behavior of ferruginous hawks in North Dakota
Post-fledging activities of 18 Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) were studied in southcentral North Dakota during July and August 1979. The post-fledging period ranged from 10 to 40 d (mean = 23.1 d; N = 16). Haylands and native prairie grasslands were the principal land use types utilized by fledglings and adults. Mortality of young during post-fledging was 11% (N = 2).
Authors
P.M. Konrad, D.S. Gilmer
Waterfowl harvest at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 1936-41
Waterfowl harvest at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for the 6-yr period 1936-41 is described and compared with a recent (1978-83) period. During the early period 46,987 geese and 76,143 ducks were bagged during 48,610 hunter-visits. Hunting seasons were 30 to 60 d in length. Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons, followed by Northern Pintails Anas acuta, and Cackling Canada Geese B
Authors
D.S. Gilmer, J.M. Hicks, J. C. Bartonek, E.H. McCollum
Further evaluation of duck nesting on small man-made islands in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Patterns and causes of change in a cliff swallow colony during a 17-year period
The number of cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonata) nests at a farmstead in southeastern North Dakota increased at an average annual rate of 87% with house sparrow (Passer domesticus) removal during 1957-60 and 1970-72. Harassment of nesting cliff swallows by house sparrows, adult swallow mortality from cold weather in late May, and collapse of nests were the principal observed factors limiting
Authors
G.L. Krapu
A comparison of burn season effects on nesting birds in North Dakota mixed-grass prairie
During 1982-1985, the effects of single spring and fall burn treatments on ground nesting birds and residual cover were studied on five paired areas of native mixed-grass prairie in northwestern Stutsman County, ND. Annually, visual obstruction readings to index the height-density of residual cover were taken once and nest searches were made four times on each area. Residual nesting cover on fall
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Influence of striped skunk removal on upland duck nest success in North Dakota
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
R. J. Greenwood
Western Stump Lake, a major canvasback staging area in eastern North Dakota
Large numbers of waterfowl, especially canvasback (Aythya valisineria), used Western Stump Lake as a staging area during most of October 1985. Selection of the lake as a conditioning site by this species likely is caused by extensive, shallow-water beds of sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and lack of human disturbance. A brief limnological and historical account of the lake is provided.
Authors
H.A. Kantrud
Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota
Habitat use and nesting success of seven species of dabbling ducks were evaluated in five vegetative associations within grazed mixed-grass prairie in central North Dakota. During 1976-80, 548 nests were found on 412 ha of grazed prairie for an annual average density of 27 nests/100 ha. Numbers of nests found ranged from 1/100 ha in 1977 (a drought year) to 58/100 ha in 1979 (a very wet year), ref
Authors
H. F. Duebbert, J. T. Lokemoen, D.E. Sharp
Comparison of wetland drainage during and after protection by 20-year easements
We determined drainage rates for wetlands in North and South Dakota with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 20-year easements, during (1961-1980) and after (1981-1984) contract protection. Average annual drainage rates were 10 times higher during the four postcontract years than during the 20 contract years on the same tracts of land. Twenty-year easements only delayed wetland drainage, and are of lim
Authors
K.F. Higgins, R.O. Woodward
Spring and summer survival of female mallards from northcentral Minnesota
Seasonal survival of 109 adult female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) fitted with radio transmitters was evaluated in northcentral Minnesota during 1968-74. Survival rates for the 169-day breeding and postbreeding period were: 1.0 during nest initiation (36 days), 0.798 during incubation (28 days), 0.943 during brood rearing (51 days), 0.947 during molt (26 days), and 1.0 during premigration (28 day
Authors
R.E. Kirby, L.M. Cowardin
Northern pintail body condition during wet and dry winters in the Sacramento Valley, California
Body weights and carcass composition of male and female adult northern pintails (Anas acuta) were investigated in the Sacramento Valley, California, from August to March 1979-82. Pintails were lightweight, lean, and had reduced breast, leg, and heart muscles during August-September. Ducks steadily gained weight after arrival; and body, carcass (body wt minus feathers and gastrointestinal content),
Authors
M. R. Miller