Raptor abundance and northern bobwhite survival and habitat use
December 1, 2014
Predation risk has a profound influence on prey behavior and habitat use. The Rio Grande Plains ecoregion of Texas, USA, provides a unique opportunity to investigate changes in prey behavior because the ecoregion experiences a high influx of raptors every year during autumn migration. We used an 8-year data set (2000–2008) of radiocollared northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and raptor abundance to test the hypothesis that bobwhites responded to increased raptor abundance via changes in woody-cover use at the home-range scale. Bobwhite survival was negatively correlated with raptor abundance, with red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) accounting for 51% of the variability in bobwhite survival (P
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Title | Raptor abundance and northern bobwhite survival and habitat use |
| DOI | 10.1002/wsb.476 |
| Authors | J. Turner, F. Hernandez, Clint W. Boal, Bart M. Ballard, Fred C. Bryant, D.B. Wester |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Index ID | 70147936 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Coop Res Unit Atlanta |