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
Breeding canvasbacks: a test of a habitat model
Schroeder (1984) proposed a habitat suitability model for breeding canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) based on the size, water regime, and emergent vegetation of wetlands. We evaluated the model with data from surveys of canvasbacks on 2265 wetlands in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. The model proved inadequate as a predictor of canvasback pair density; the correlation between values prod
Authors
D. H. Johnson, M.C. Hammond, T. L. McDonald, C.L. Nustad
Improved self-cleaning screen for processing benthic samples
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
N.H. Euliss, G.A. Swanson
Estimating carcass fat and protein in northern pintails during the nonbreeding season
I used northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected from August through March 1979-82 in the Sacramento Valley, California to derive equations to predict ether-extracted carcass fat, carcass protein, and skeletal lean dry weight. Ether-extracted carcass fat was best predicted by total fat depot weight (wet skin, abdominal fat, and intestinal fat) (r2 = 0.94) and estimates based on carcass water conten
Authors
M. R. Miller
Observed interactions between coyotes and red foxes
No abstract available.
Authors
Alan B. Sargeant, Stephen H. Allen
An empirical Bayes approach to analyzing recurring animal surveys
Recurring estimates of the size of animal populations are often required by biologists of wildlife managers. Because of cost or other constraints, estimates frequently lack the accuracy desired but cannot readily be improved by additional sampling. This report proposes a statistical method employing empirical Bayes (EB) estimators as alternatives to those customarily used to estimate population si
Authors
D. H. Johnson
Least squares estimation of avian molt rates
A straightforward least squares method of estimating the rate at which birds molt feathers is presented, suitable for birds captured more than once during the period of molt. The date of molt onset can also be estimated. The method is applied to male and female mourning doves.
Authors
D. H. Johnson
Body weight and composition dynamics of fall migrating canvasbacks
We studied body weights and composition of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) during fall migration 1975-77 on stopover sites along the upper Mississippi River near La Crosse, Wisconsin (Navigational Pools 7 and 8) and Keokuk, Iowa (Navigational Pool 19). Body weights varied (P < 0.001) by age and sex without interaction. Weights varied by year (P < 0.001) on Pools 7 and 8. Mean weights increased (P
Authors
J.R. Serie, D.E. Sharp
Accumulation of lead and organochlorine residues in captive American kestrels fed pine voles from apple orchards
Pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) were collected from pesticide-treated orchards in New York and fed to 3 captive American kestrels (Falco sparverius) for 60 days to evaluate potential hazards from soil-borne persistent insecticides. Three control kestrels were fed uncontaminated laboratory mice (Mus musculus). The pine voles contained an average of 38 ppm lead, 48 ppm DDE and 1.2 ppm dieldrin
Authors
Rey C. Stendell, W. Nelson Beyer, Robert A. Stehn
Agricultural chemicals and prairie pothole wetlands: Meeting the needs of the resource and the farmer -- U.S. perspective
Included are the reasons for concern over the effects of agrichemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) on prairie-pothole wetlands in the United States. Summarized are the results of studies conducted to date on this topic. Identified is additional research needed to assess the impacts of agrichemicals on these wetlands. Included is a discussion of management strategies and initiatives which we be
Authors
C. E. Grue, M.W. Tome, T.A. Messmer, D.B. Henry, G.A. Swanson, L.R. DeWeese
Determinants of breeding distributions of ducks
The settling of breeding habitat by migratory waterfowl is a topic of both theoretical and practical interest. We use the results of surveys conducted annually during 1955-81 in major breeding areas to examine the factors that affect the distributions of 10 common North American duck species. Three patterns of settling are described: homing, opportunistic, and flexible. Homing is generally more pr
Authors
D. H. Johnson, J.W. Grier
Duck nest success in the prairie pothole region
We estimated nest success of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwall (A. strepera), blue-winged teal (A. discors), northern shoveler (A. clypeata), and northern pintail (A. acuta) for 5 regions in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, for 1-3 periods between 1966 and 1984, and for 8 habitat classes. We obtained composite estimates of nest success for regions and periods by weighting each habita
Authors
A.T. Klett, T.L. Shaffer, D. H. Johnson
Goose counts from aerial photographs using an optical digitizer
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
D.S. Gilmer, J.A. Brass, L.L. Strong, D.H. Card