North American Crane Working Group
Date of this Version
2010
Document Type
Article
Citation
Aborn, D.A. Behavior and habitat use of greater sandhill cranes wintering in east Tennessee. In: Hartup, Barry K., ed., Proceedings of the Eleventh North American Crane Workshop, Sep 23-27, 2008, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin (Baraboo, WI: North American Crane Working Group, 2010), pp. 9-14.
Abstract
An increase of eastern greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) stopping over and wintering at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge in east Tennessee has led to overcrowding at the refuge, resulting in crane use of private property. Proper management is needed to prevent the cranes from becoming a nuisance, increase the suitability of the refuge for waterfowl, and reduce the likelihood of a disease outbreak. Observations of cranes revealed that cranes spent 83% of their time foraging, alert, or preening. Sandhill cranes foraged primarily in agricultural and grassy fields, whereas mudflats and shallow water were used for preening and loafing. Cranes tended to use grassy fields and mudflats in greater proportion to their availability, whereas agricultural fields and shallow water were underused. The results suggest that management techniques used with sandhill cranes elsewhere will also support crane populations at Hiwassee. The issue of overcrowding at the refuge, however, still needs to be addressed.
Included in
Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Ornithology Commons, Population Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Comments
Reproduced by permission of the North American Crane Working Group.