A Study of Bandtailed Pigeons Columba fasciata in Southeastern Arizona

1
A Study of Band-tailed Pigeons (Columba fasciata)
in Southeastern Arizona
Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit University of Arizona
2
Map credit USGS Breeding Bird Survey
3
(No Transcript)
4
Adult Female
Adult Male
Hatch Year (Sex Unknown)
5
Vocalizations

• Coo calls
• Chirps
• Grunts
• Wing clap

Photo credit Peter Latourrette www.birdphotograph
y.com
6
Habitat
7
Foraging

• Utilize variety of food
• resources
• Forage in flocks
• Capable of flying great
• distances to locate food
• Supplement diet with
• sodium from mineral
• springs and salt licks

8
Breeding Biology

• Breeding season April to September (peak
  June/July)
• 1 (sometimes 2) egg per clutch
• 1-3 nests per year
• 40-50 day nest cycle
• Both sexes incubate egg
• Adults feed young crop milk

9
Nest Sites
Santa Catalina Mountains 8,130
Santa Catalina Mountains 8,830
Chiricahua Mountains 5,630
10
(No Transcript)
11
Population Declines

• This species is most numerous near the mouth of
  the Columbia River, where immense flocks were to
  be seen from May to October 1865, which fairly
  rivaled those of the passenger pigeon
• Carpenter in Bendire (1892)
• Coastal race documented population decline
• Interior race suspected population decline

12
Harvest returns in Arizona
13
Potential Threats

• Over-harvest
• Disease
• Modification or
• loss of habitat
• Pesticides

14
Study Objectives (Primary)

• Evaluate 5 potential survey techniques
• Estimate detection probability associated with
  each survey technique
• Develop effective survey protocol for use in
  interior region

15
Detection Probability

• probability of detecting bird during survey
  given that bird is present along survey route
• Test validity of different survey methods by
  comparing variation in detection probabilities
• Adjust estimates of relative abundance to
  estimates of absolute abundance

16
Study Objectives (Secondary)

• Estimate reproductive success
• Measure habitat characteristics at nests
• Measure habitat characteristics at foraging sites

17
Study Area
Map credit Bruce Walsh, University of Arizona
18
Survey Techniques Evaluated

• 1) Auditory surveys (6-min)
• 2) Auditory surveys (20-min)
• 3) Call-broadcast surveys
• 4) Mark/recapture
• 5) Counts at baited sites

19
Auditory and Call-broadcast Surveys
Survey Route 6 points spaced 400 m apart

• 8 survey routes in each of 3 mountain ranges
• Up to 6 replicate surveys of each route during
  breeding season
• Surveys from 15 min before sunrise to 120 min
  after sunrise

20
Auditory and Call-broadcast Surveys

• 6-min auditory surveys at all 6 survey points
• 20-min auditory surveys at 2 survey points
• Call-broadcast surveys at all 6 survey points

21
Mark/Recapture and Counts at Baited Feed Sites

• Five baited sites
• Trap pigeons 3 days/week
• Color band pigeons
• Count pigeons at baited feed sites

22
Radio Tracking
23
Preliminary Results

• Pigeons detected on 88 of survey routes
• Average of lt 1 pigeon per survey
• Short duration auditory surveys more effective

24
Preliminary Results

• Call broadcasts appear to increase detection rate
  of pigeons
• Results from bait site counts and trapping
  inconclusive
• 5 of 6 pigeon nests failed

25
We Need Your Help

• Sightings of color banded
• pigeons
• Locations of foraging
• sites (especially in low-
• elevation areas)
• Locations of pigeon nests
• Contact Chris Kirkpatrick
• [phone]
• kirkpatr_at_email.arizona.edu

26
Project Funded by

• Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund
• Webless Migratory Game Bird Program
• United States Geological Survey
• University of Arizona

27
Thanks to

• Assistance with field work Dave fox, Eduardo
  Martinez-Leyva, Eric Nolte, Chuck Seal, Dominic
  LaRoche, Clait Braun
• Summerhaven residents Mike Cooper, Linda Currin,
  Mike Stanley, Arthur Faul, Debbie at Living
  Rainbow