Publications
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below. Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 1945
A comparison of burn season effects on nesting birds in North Dakota mixed-grass prairie A comparison of burn season effects on nesting birds in North Dakota mixed-grass prairie
During 1982-1985, the effects of single spring and fall burn treatments on ground nesting birds and residual cover were studied on five paired areas of native mixed-grass prairie in northwestern Stutsman County, ND. Annually, visual obstruction readings to index the height-density of residual cover were taken once and nest searches were made four times on each area. Residual nesting...
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Western Stump Lake, a major canvasback staging area in eastern North Dakota Western Stump Lake, a major canvasback staging area in eastern North Dakota
Large numbers of waterfowl, especially canvasback (Aythya valisineria), used Western Stump Lake as a staging area during most of October 1985. Selection of the lake as a conditioning site by this species likely is caused by extensive, shallow-water beds of sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and lack of human disturbance. A brief limnological and historical account of the lake is...
Authors
H.A. Kantrud
Molt chronology of northern pintails in California Molt chronology of northern pintails in California
Intensity and chronology of molt in 10 feather groups (head, neck, breast, belly, back, rump, side, scapular, tertial, and tail) were measured using percentages of developing feathers (pinfeathers) converted to molt scores (0-100) in samples plucked monthly from northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected by shooting from August through March 1980-82 in the Sacramento Valley, California...
Authors
Michael R. Miller
Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota Nest sites of ducks in grazed mixed-grass prairie in North Dakota
Habitat use and nesting success of seven species of dabbling ducks were evaluated in five vegetative associations within grazed mixed-grass prairie in central North Dakota. During 1976-80, 548 nests were found on 412 ha of grazed prairie for an annual average density of 27 nests/100 ha. Numbers of nests found ranged from 1/100 ha in 1977 (a drought year) to 58/100 ha in 1979 (a very wet...
Authors
Harold F. Duebbert, J. T. Lokemoen, D.E. Sharp
Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert Waterfowl nesting on an earth-filled cement culvert
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
K.F. Higgins, H.W. Miller, L.M. Kirsch
Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches Potential impacts of agricultural chemicals on waterfowl and other wildlife inhabiting prairie wetlands: An evaluation of research needs and approaches
The potential for agricultural chemicals to enter prairie-pothole wetlands and impact wildlife dependent on these wetlands for survival and reproduction appears to be great. However, the actual risk to wetland wildlife from the inputs of these chemicals cannot be adequately assessed at this time, because of insufficient data. Available data on the use of pesticides in the prairie-pothole...
Authors
C.E. Grue, L.R. DeWeese, P. Mineau, G.A. Swanson, J.R. Foster, P.M. Arnold, J.N. Huckins, P.J. Sheenan, W.K. Marshall, A.P. Ludden
Patterns and causes of change in a cliff swallow colony during a 17-year period Patterns and causes of change in a cliff swallow colony during a 17-year period
The number of cliff swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonata) nests at a farmstead in southeastern North Dakota increased at an average annual rate of 87% with house sparrow (Passer domesticus) removal during 1957-60 and 1970-72. Harassment of nesting cliff swallows by house sparrows, adult swallow mortality from cold weather in late May, and collapse of nests were the principal observed...
Authors
Gary L. Krapu
Interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the Northern Great Plains Interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the Northern Great Plains
This interpretation and compendium of historical fire accounts in the northern Great Plains provides resource managers with background information to justify the study or use of fire in management and provides a reference of historic fire accounts for those without ready access to major library collections. Historical accounts of fire are critiqued to aid interpreting the compendium...
Authors
K.F. Higgins
Effects of shrub coverages on birds of North Dakota mixed-grass prairies Effects of shrub coverages on birds of North Dakota mixed-grass prairies
We studied the distribution and density of passerine birds in relation to Wolfberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) and Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) shrub coverages on mixed-grass prairies of central North Dakota. Birds were counted along shrubby and shrubless transects during the 1982 breeding season. Species richness and total density of birds were greater on shrubby transects. Five...
Authors
T.W. Arnold, K.F. Higgins
Techniques for studying nest success of ducks in upland habitats in the prairie pothole region Techniques for studying nest success of ducks in upland habitats in the prairie pothole region
Selected procedures are described for conducting nesting studies of upland nesting ducks in the prairie pothole region. Emphasis is on the use of standard procedures so that comparable results can be obtained. Major topics addressed are finding nests by flushing hens with drags pulled by vehicles, recording of appropriate data, and calculating nest success rates. Techniques are described...
Authors
Albert T. Klett, Harold F. Duebbert, C. A. Faanes, K.F. Higgins
Empirical Bayes estimates of duck population Empirical Bayes estimates of duck population
No abstract available.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson
[Book review] The encyclopedia of birds, by Christopher M. Perrins and Alex L. A. Middleton [Book review] The encyclopedia of birds, by Christopher M. Perrins and Alex L. A. Middleton
Review of: The Encyclopedia of birds. Perrins, Christopher M.; Middleton, Alex L.A. New York, Facts on File, 1985. 463 p., illus. ISBN: 0-8160-1150-8.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson