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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16746

A sociogram for the cranes of the world A sociogram for the cranes of the world

The behavioral repertoire for the world's 15 species of cranes includes over 100 behavioral acts with clear social significance. Each species performs at least 60 discrete social postures, vocalizations, displays, and activities. Because all but a handful of the stereotyped social displays are common to all species, the presence or absence of social displays was useful only to a limited...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, S.R. Swengel, George W. Archibald, C. B. Kepler

Caribou antlers as nest materials for golden eagles in northwestern Alaska Caribou antlers as nest materials for golden eagles in northwestern Alaska

There are few published records of antlers in golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nests. This note reports extensive use of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) antlers in three golden eagle nests in the Cape Kruzenstern region of northwestern Alaska. The importance of antlers to this population of eagles can be explained at least in part by (1) the lack of suitable woody vegetation on the open...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, R.L. Bunn

Wintering ovenbird from Belize recovered on Pennsylvania breeding ground Wintering ovenbird from Belize recovered on Pennsylvania breeding ground

A first-winter Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus) banded in a cacao plantation in central Belize on 8 February 1989 was found dead on the deck of a home on its breeding ground in northwestern Pennsylvania on 28 June 1997, tying the 9-year age record for the species.
Authors
B.A. Dowell, C.S. Robbins

An evaluation of camping impacts and their management at Isle Royale National Park An evaluation of camping impacts and their management at Isle Royale National Park

Results from the development and application of a monitoring program to assess visitor impacts on back-country campsites at Isle Royale National Park are presented. Survey staff assessed conditions on 244 sites within 36 back-country campgrounds, including 113 individual campsites, 43 group campsites, and 88 shelters. Site conditions are generally quite good. Site size and other areal...
Authors
T. A. Farrell, J. L. Marion

Systematic studies of Oryzomyine rodents (Muridae, Sigmodontinae): diagnoses and distributions of species formerly assigned to Oryzomys 'capito' Systematic studies of Oryzomyine rodents (Muridae, Sigmodontinae): diagnoses and distributions of species formerly assigned to Oryzomys 'capito'

We describe the morphological species-boundaries and geographic distributions of ten Neotropical Oryzomys based on analyses of museum specimens (skins and skulls, examples preserved in fluid, chromosomal spreads, and information about collection sites from skin tags, field catalogs, and other sources). These species have been regarded as members of an Oryzomys capito complex and for a...
Authors
G.G. Musser, M.D. Carleton, E.M. Brothers, A. L. Gardner

Eyrie enhancement measures to bolster Saker falcon populations in Mongolia Eyrie enhancement measures to bolster Saker falcon populations in Mongolia

Because the massive harvest of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug) in Central Asia has already impacted local populations at least in Kazakhstan, because falcon smuggling has recently become rampant in China, and because a government-authorized harvest has begun in Mongolia, we sought measures to bolster numbers in Mongolia before the population can decline there. In three expeditions (1994...
Authors
D. H. Ellis, P. Tsengag, P.L. Whitlock

Effects of landscape composition and wetland fragmentation on frog and toad abundance and species richness in Iowa and Wisconsin, USA [abstract] Effects of landscape composition and wetland fragmentation on frog and toad abundance and species richness in Iowa and Wisconsin, USA [abstract]

We examined the relationships between anuran diversity and landscape features in the Upper Midwestern United States. Anuran relative abundance and species richness were measured using data collected by Wisconsin and Iowa state calling surveys conducted from 1990-1995. Landscape features surrounding survey points were determined using National Wetland Inventory and Wisconsin Wetland...
Authors
M. G. Knutson, J.R. Sauer, D.A. Olsen, M.J. Mossman, L.M. Hemesath, M.J. Lannoo

Present and future of scientific bird ringing Present and future of scientific bird ringing

In 1999 scientific bird ringing will celebrate its first century of existence. Started mainly to investigate bird movements, bird ringing has become a much more flexible method to study different aspects of bird biology. Bird ringing can only be properly organised if an effective international co-operation exists. In Europe, this co-ordination is ensured by EURING, made of 35 national...
Authors
F. Spina, J. Tautin

Organochlorine contaminants and Tree Swallows along the Fox River and Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA Organochlorine contaminants and Tree Swallows along the Fox River and Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA

Green Bay, Wisconsin is contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) however, whether these contaminants affect reproduction in insectivorous birds is unknown. Tree Swallows, Tachycineta bicolor, are secondary cavity nesters that will nest in boxes and tolerate handling. Because Tree Swallows are aquatic insectivores, residues in their tissues are primarily indicative of...
Authors
Christine M. Custer, T. W. Custer, P. David Allen, K. L. Stromborg, M. J. Melancon
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