Movements and Behavior of Transplanted Radio-tagged Prairie Chickens in Wisconsin

[摘要] Movements of seven transplanted greater prairie chickens(Tympanuchus cupido pinnatus) were compared with nine residentsduring 1973 and 1974. Movements of three cocks, transplanted inApril 1973 were characterized by a period of orientation duringwhich mean day-to-day movements (0.78 miles) were 2.5 times greaterthan those of three resident cocks (0.31 miles). Transplant cocks;;settled down;; 26, 22, and 29 days after their respective releases.Movements of transplant and resident cocks were comparable overthe remainder of the study. Movements of a single cock, transplantedon 1 August 1974 were comparable to those of resident cocks. Meanday-to-day pre-nesting movements of spring transplant hens (0.37miles)were comparable to those of resident hens (0.38 miles). All of thetransplant hens nested and hatched broods. Three of four residenthens nested, but only one hatched out a brood. Results indicate thattransplanted hen prairie chickens can establish and successfully nestwhen released into a population of resident cocks.

[发布机构] University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point