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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16785

Testing for differences among survival or recovery rates using program CONTRAST

A computer program was developed to implement the methods described by Sauer and Williams for multiple comparisons of survival or recovery rates
Authors
J.R. Sauer, J. E. Hines

Distribution and behaviour of passerines around Peregrine Falco peregrinus eyries in western Greenland

This paper describes the distribution and behaviour of passerine birds within 1 km of Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus eyries in western Greenland. Passerine populations were censused in 1983 around six cliffs occupied by nesting Peregrines and at six sites on the open tundra, and in 1984 at two unoccupied sites suitable for Peregrine nesting.Four passerine species accounted for over 90% of birds
Authors
R.J. Meese, M.R. Fuller

Survival analysis in telemetry studies: The staggered entry design

A simple description of the Kaplan-Meier procedure is presented with an example using northern bobwhite quail survival data. The Kaplan- Meier procedure was then generalized to allow gradual (or staggered) entry of animals into the study, allowing animals being lost (or censored) due to radio failure, radio loss, or emigration of the animal from the study area. Additionally, the applicability and
Authors
K. H. Pollock, S.R. Winterstein, C. M. Bunck, P.D. Curtis

Nest success, cause-specific nest failure, and hatchability of aquatic birds at selenium-contaminated Kesterson Reservoir and a reference site

During 1983-1985, we studied the reproductive success of several species of aquatic birds (coots, ducks, shorebirds, and grebes) nesting at two sites in Merced County, California: a selenium-contaminated site (Kesterson Reservoir) and a nearby reference site (Volta Wildlife Area). We used a computer program (MICROMORT) developed for the analysis of radiotelemetry data (Heisey and Fuller 1985) to e
Authors
Harry M. Ohlendorf, Roger L. Hothem, Daniel Welsh

Behaviour of captive canvasbacks Aythya valisineria fed different diets during winter

Time activity budget studies were conducted on captive Canvasbacks manintained on ad libitum diets with varying levels of protein and energy during the winter of 1978-79 and 1979-80. No differences could be detected in the behaviour of the ducks as a result of the diets they received. Differences due to season and sex were observed for some behaviours. Activity decreased (P
Authors
M. C. Perry, B.K. Williams, H.H. Obrecht

Population declines in North American birds that migrate to the neotropics

Using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey, we determined that most neotropical migrant bird species that breed in forests of the eastern United States and Canada have recently (1978-1987) declined in abundance after a period of stable or increasing populations. Most permanent residents and temperate-zone migrants did not show a general pattern of decrease during this period. Field
Authors
C.S. Robbins, J.R. Sauer, R.S. Greenberg, Sam Droege

Toxic effects of boron on mallard reproduction

Boron, a naturally occurring trace element generally considered environmentally innocuous, was documented to severely impair mallard reproduction. Boron is leached from irrigated agricultural soils and transported in drainage water that contaminates wetlands. Until now, only the selenium accumulated in aquatic food chains has been documented to pose a toxic hazard to wildlife in drainage water wet
Authors
G. J. Smith, V.P. Anders

The Animal Welfare Act and the zoo: A positive approach

Interpretations of the Animal Welfare Act and other regulations governing use of research animals in the United States are changing. Recent amendments to the Act have resulted in the inclusion of more species under the umbrella of regulation. The role of the zoo and wildlife veterinarian should be that of leading his or her institution into a positive endorsement of these regulations and their a
Authors
Glenn H. Olsen

Patterns of species co-occurrence of nesting colonial Ciconiiformes in Atlantic coast estuarine areas

Patterns of co-occurrence of 11 species of nesting colonial Ciconiiformes in estuarine areas of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Florida were examined using Reciprocal Averaging and Detrended Correspondence Analyses. The first RA ordination axis categorized the species into two groups: species of large birds that often nest in the tops of large trees, and species of smaller birds that usually nes
Authors
J. A. Spendelow, R.M. Erwin, B.K. Williams

Solar radio-transmitters on snail kites in Florida

The effectiveness and safety of one- and two-stage solar radio-transmitters in tracking the movements and survival of adult and fledgling Snail Kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis) were evaluated between 1979 and 1983 in southern Florida. Transmitters were attached to birds with back-pack arrangements using teflon ribbon straps. Accessory plastic shields minimized feather coverage of the solar cells. Int
Authors
N.F.R. Snyder, S. R. Beissinger, M.R. Fuller

Climbing performance of Harris' hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) with added load: Implications for muscle mechanics and for radiotracking

Two Harris’ hawks were trained to fly along horizontal and climbing flight paths, while carrying loads of various masses, to provide data for estimating available muscle power during short flights. The body mass of both hawks was about 920g, and they were able to carry loads up to 630 g in horizontal flight. The rate of climb decreased with increasing all-up mass, as also did the climbing power (p
Authors
C.J. Pennycuick, M.R. Fuller, L. McAllister