Title: A Study of Bandtailed Pigeons Columba fasciata in Southeastern Arizona
1A Study of Band-tailed Pigeons (Columba fasciata)
in Southeastern Arizona
Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit University of Arizona
2Map credit USGS Breeding Bird Survey
3(No Transcript)
4Adult Female
Adult Male
Hatch Year (Sex Unknown)
5Vocalizations
- Coo calls
- Chirps
- Grunts
- Wing clap
Photo credit Peter Latourrette www.birdphotograph
y.com
6Habitat
7Foraging
- 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
8Breeding 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
9Nest Sites
Santa Catalina Mountains 8,130
Santa Catalina Mountains 8,830
Chiricahua Mountains 5,630
10(No Transcript)
11Population 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
12Harvest returns in Arizona
13Potential Threats
- Over-harvest
- Disease
- Modification or
- loss of habitat
- Pesticides
14Study Objectives (Primary)
- Evaluate 5 potential survey techniques
- Estimate detection probability associated with
each survey technique - Develop effective survey protocol for use in
interior region
15Detection 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
16Study Objectives (Secondary)
- Estimate reproductive success
- Measure habitat characteristics at nests
- Measure habitat characteristics at foraging sites
17Study Area
Map credit Bruce Walsh, University of Arizona
18Survey Techniques Evaluated
- 1) Auditory surveys (6-min)
- 2) Auditory surveys (20-min)
- 3) Call-broadcast surveys
- 4) Mark/recapture
- 5) Counts at baited sites
19Auditory 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
20Auditory 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
21Mark/Recapture and Counts at Baited Feed Sites
- Five baited sites
- Trap pigeons 3 days/week
- Color band pigeons
- Count pigeons at baited feed sites
22Radio Tracking
23Preliminary Results
- Pigeons detected on 88 of survey routes
- Average of lt 1 pigeon per survey
- Short duration auditory surveys more effective
-
-
24Preliminary Results
- Call broadcasts appear to increase detection rate
of pigeons - Results from bait site counts and trapping
inconclusive - 5 of 6 pigeon nests failed
25We Need Your Help
- Sightings of color banded
- pigeons
- Locations of foraging
- sites (especially in low-
- elevation areas)
- Locations of pigeon nests
- Contact Chris Kirkpatrick
- (520) 626-8912
- kirkpatr_at_email.arizona.edu
26Project Funded by
- Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund
- Webless Migratory Game Bird Program
- United States Geological Survey
- University of Arizona
27Thanks 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