North American Crane Working Group

 

Date of this Version

1997

Document Type

Article

Citation

Desrobert, Kevin J. Survival and habitat use of greater sandhill crane colts on Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, California. In: Urbanek RP, Stahlecker DW, eds. 1997. Proceedings of the Seventh North American Crane Workshop, 1996 Jan 10-13, Biloxi, Mississippi. Grand Island, NE: North American Crane Working Group. pp. 18-23.

Comments

Used by permission of the North American Crane Working Group.

Abstract

Radiotelemetry was used to monitor 13 (1990) and 14 (1992) greater sandhill crane (Grus canadensis tabida) colts on Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, California, to determine causes of mortality, brood habitat utilization, and effects of habitat management on colt survival. Colt survival rates were 0.36 (1990) and 0.54 (1992). Coyotes (Canis latrans) killed 3 colts and mink (Mustela vison) killed 4; I colt died because of a bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureous). Broods used 6 different habitat types and 79% used more than I type. Irrigated meadows (74%), cultivated uplands (53 %), and marsh (42 %) were used by most broods. Habitat management practices included hay harvesting (15 July-3D August) and fall grazing (September-December) and did not directly cause mortality, but hay harvest may have increased vulnerability to predation.

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