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: 1952
Accuracy and precision of estimating age of gray wolves by tooth wear Accuracy and precision of estimating age of gray wolves by tooth wear
We evaluated the accuracy and precision of tooth wear for aging gray wolves (Canis lupus) from Alaska, Minnesota, and Ontario based on 47 known-age or known-minimum-age skulls. Estimates of age using tooth wear and a commercial cementum annuli-aging service were useful for wolves up to 14 years old. The precision of estimates from cementum annuli was greater than estimates from tooth...
Authors
P. S. Gipson, W.B. Ballard, R. M. Nowak, L.D. Mech
Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Swainson's Hawk Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Swainson's Hawk
Information on the habitat requirements and effects of habitat management on grassland birds were summarized from information in more than 5,500 published and unpublished papers. A range map is provided to indicate the relative densities of the species in North America, based on Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Although birds frequently are observed outside the breeding range indicated...
Authors
Jill A. Dechant, Meghan F. Dinkins, Douglas H. Johnson, Lawrence D. Igl, Christopher M. Goldade, Betty R. Euliss
Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Vesper Sparrow Effects of management practices on grassland birds: Vesper Sparrow
Information on the habitat requirements and effects of habitat management on grassland birds were summarized from information in more than 5,500 published and unpublished papers. A range map is provided to indicate the relative densities of the species in North America, based on Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Although birds frequently are observed outside the breeding range indicated...
Authors
Jill A. Dechant, Meghan F. Dinkins, Douglas H. Johnson, Lawrence D. Igl, Christopher M. Goldade, Betty R. Euliss
Description and identification of American Black Duck, Mallard, and hybrid wing plumage Description and identification of American Black Duck, Mallard, and hybrid wing plumage
We developed a key to identify wings of hybrids between American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) and Mallards (A. platyrhynchos). Material for analysis included review of historical descriptions dating from the late 1700's, older museum collections in Europe and North America, wings collected from hunters in North America and Great Britain, birds banded in Canada and the United States, and a...
Authors
Ronald E. Kirby, Austin Reed, Pierre Dupuis, Holliday H. Obrecht, Walter J. Quist
Mallard brood survival in prairie pothole landscapes Mallard brood survival in prairie pothole landscapes
No abstract available.
Authors
Gary L. Krapu, P.J. Pietz, D.A. Brandt, R. R. Cox
Evidence for edge effects on multiple levels in tallgrass prairie Evidence for edge effects on multiple levels in tallgrass prairie
We tested how edges affect nest survival and predator distribution in a native tallgrass prairie system in southwestern Missouri using artificial nests, natural nests of Dickcissels (Spiza americana) and Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), and mammal track stations. Survival of artificial nests was lower within 30 m of forest edge. Nesting success of Dickcissels and Henslow's...
Authors
Maiken Winter, Douglas H. Johnson, John Faaborg
Surface water quality of the major drainage basins of Big Thicket National Preserve Surface water quality of the major drainage basins of Big Thicket National Preserve
Surface water quality was monitored at 19 stations (2-4 week intervals) in six drainage basins of Big Thicket National Preserve of east Texas between 1996 and 1999. The parameters monitored were temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, current speed, light attenuation, chlorophyll a and concentrations of ammonium, ortho-phosphate, nitrate and nitrite. The best water quality (low...
Authors
W.M. Rizzo, P. Rafferty, M.R. Segura
Grassland bird inventory for seven prairie parks Grassland bird inventory for seven prairie parks
No abstract available.
Authors
A.N. Powell
Waterfowl research priorities in the northern Great Plains Waterfowl research priorities in the northern Great Plains
It is necessary periodically to identify research priorities so that future research will be directed toward the most pertinent issues in waterfowl ecology and management. To that end, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center convened a quorum of experts on the ecology of breeding waterfowl, the Waterfowl Working Group, to 1) develop a mission statement, 2) identify waterfowl research...
Authors
R. R. Cox, Douglas H. Johnson, M. A. Johnson, R.E. Kirby, J.W. Nelson, R. E. Reynolds
American bittern depredates sora American bittern depredates sora
No abstract available.
Authors
J. E. Austin, M.B. Slivinski
Habitat use and reproductive success of western snowy plovers at new nesting areas created for California least terns Habitat use and reproductive success of western snowy plovers at new nesting areas created for California least terns
The Pacific coast population of western snowy plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1993 and its decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss. In southern California, snowy plovers typically nest in association with federally endangered California least terns (Sterna antillarum browni). Since least terns were...
Authors
Abby N. Powell, Christine L. Collier
Identifying predators and fates of grassland passerine nests using miniature video cameras Identifying predators and fates of grassland passerine nests using miniature video cameras
Nest fates, causes of nest failure, and identities of nest predators are difficult to determine for grassland passerines. We developed a miniature video-camera system for use in grasslands and deployed it at 69 nests of 10 passerine species in North Dakota during 1996-97. Abandonment rates were higher at nests
Authors
Pamela J. Pietz, Diane A. Granfors