Modeling Blackbird Abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region Using a Hierarchical Spatial Model

Authors

George M. Forcey, North Dakota State University, Fargo
George M. Linz, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Wayne E. Thogmartin, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
William J. Bleier, North Dakota State University, FargoFollow

Date of this Version

February 2006

Comments

Published in National Sunflower Association Research Forum Papers 2006.

Abstract

Blackbirds are ubiquitous members of the avian fauna in the Prairie Pothole Region. However, their abundance combined with their food habits make blackbirds significant agricultural pests on sunflower. Cost estimates for blackbird damage to sunflower in the northern Great Plains range from 4-11 million U.S. dollars per year. Because of their economic impact on agriculture, it is imperative to understand the environmental factors that influence blackbird abundance patterns. This study attempts to quantify the effects of landscape-level land use and climate patterns on blackbird abundance in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States.