Michael N. Kochert
I am a Scientist Emeritus at the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center.
My entire career has focused on the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), located south of Boise. I’m most proud of my work in designing and directing the research that provided the biological basis to the Secretary of the Interior for establishing the NCA and its boundary. I am currently engaged in two major areas of work: 1) I still work on the long-term ecological assessments of the golden eagle nesting population in southwestern Idaho as a partner with Julie Heath’s lab at BSU. I have five decades of knowledge of the eagles and the area. 2) I am working on a project with Todd Katzner (USGS, FRESC), Jim Belthoff (BSU), and Karen Steenhof on the long-term monitoring of the nesting prairie falcon population in the NCA.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Adjunct faculty member at Boise State University, Boise, ID
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Frequency of nest use by golden eagles in southwestern Idaho
Migration patterns, use of stopover areas, and austral summer movements of Swainson's hawks
Dr. Carl Marti 1944-2010
Use of body mass, footpad length, and wing chord to determine sex in Swainson's Hawks
Marking techniques
Populations and habitat relationships of Piute ground squirrels in southwest Idaho
Long-term golden eagle studies in Denali National Park and Preserve
Effects of radiomarking on prairie falcons: Attachment failures provide insights about survival
Effects of radio marking on prairie falcons: Attachment failures provide insights about survival
Long-range movements and breeding dispersal of Prairie Falcons from southwest Idaho
Habitat use by Swainson's Hawks on their austral winter grounds in Argentina
Golden eagles in the U.S. and Canada: Status, trends, and conservation challenges
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
- Publications
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Filter Total Items: 40Frequency of nest use by golden eagles in southwestern Idaho
We studied nest use by Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from 1966 to 2011 to assess nest reuse within territories, ascertain the length of time that elapses between uses of nests, and test the hypotheses that reproductive success and adult turnover influence nest switching. Golden Eagles used 454 nests in 66 territories and used individual nests 1 to 26 times during 45 continuous years of observaAuthorsMichael N. Kochert, Karen SteenhofMigration patterns, use of stopover areas, and austral summer movements of Swainson's hawks
From 1995 to 1998, we tracked movements of adult Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni), using satellite telemetry to characterize migration, important stopover areas, and movements in the austral summer. We tagged 46 hawks from July to September on their nesting grounds in seven U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Swainson's Hawks followed three basic routes south on a broad front, converged alonAuthorsMichael N. Kochert, Mark R. Fuller, Linda S. Schueck, Laura Bond, Marc J. Bechard, Brian Woodbridge, Geoff L. Holroyd, Mark S. Martell, Ursula BanaschDr. Carl Marti 1944-2010
No abstract available.AuthorsMichael N. Kochert, Karen Steenhof, Patricia L. KennedyUse of body mass, footpad length, and wing chord to determine sex in Swainson's Hawks
Many studies of avian ecology require an expedient means to determine sex, and the use of molecular techniques has provided an effective and accurate means to determine sex of raptors in the field (Sarasola and Negro 2004, Donohue and Dufty 2006). Sometimes investigators need to rely on morphometric measurements to determine sex of monochromatic species such as Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni) bAuthorsMichael N. Kochert, James O. McKinleyMarking techniques
No abstract available.AuthorsDaniel E. Varland, J.A. Smallwood, Leonard S. Young, Michael N. KochertPopulations and habitat relationships of Piute ground squirrels in southwest Idaho
Piute ground squirrels (Spermophilus mollis idahoensis) are normally above ground from late January until late June or early July in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwestern Idaho. In 2002 they were rarely seen above ground after early May. Because of the ecological importance of ground squirrels for nesting raptors and other species, we sought to determine the reasAuthorsKaren Steenhof, Eric Yensen, Michael N. Kochert, K. GageLong-term golden eagle studies in Denali National Park and Preserve
No abstract available.AuthorsCarol L. McIntyre, Karen Steenhof, Michael N. Kochert, Michael W. CollopyEffects of radiomarking on prairie falcons: Attachment failures provide insights about survival
From 1999–2002, we attached satellite-received platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) to 40 adult female prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) on their nesting grounds in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) in southwest Idaho. We used 3 variations of a backpack harness design that had been used previously on raptors. Each radiomarked falcon also received a color leg band withAuthorsKaren Steenhof, Kirk K. Bates, Mark R. Fuller, Michael N. Kochert, James O. McKinley, Paul M. LukacsEffects of radio marking on prairie falcons: Attachment failures provide insights about survival
From 1999-2002, we attached satellite-received platform transmitter terminals (PTTs) to 40 adult female prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus) on their nesting grounds in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) in southwest Idaho. We used 3 variations of a backpack harness design that had been used previously on raptors. Each radiomarked falcon also received a color leg band withAuthorsKaren Steenhof, Kirk K. Bates, Mark R. Fuller, Michael N. Kochert, J.O. McKinley, Paul M. LukacsLong-range movements and breeding dispersal of Prairie Falcons from southwest Idaho
From 1999–2003, we tracked movements of adult female Prairie Falcons (Falco mexicanus) using satellite telemetry to characterize long-range movement patterns and breeding dispersal. We radio marked 40 falcons from April–May on their nesting grounds in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in southwest Idaho. All falcons with functioning transmitters left the Snake River Canyon fAuthorsKaren Steenhof, Mark R. Fuller, Michael N. Kochert, Kirk K. BatesHabitat use by Swainson's Hawks on their austral winter grounds in Argentina
We examined the use of agricultural habitats by Swainson's Hawks (Buteo swainsoni)in La Pampa and Santa Fe provinces, Argentina. We found an association of foraging Swainson's Hawks with permanent pastures such as fallow, natural, and alfalfa fields. The hawks also used plowed fields for sunning, resting, and preening. Fields planted with annual crops and pastures were used very little, except whAuthorsSonia B. Canavelli, Marc J. Bechard, B. Woodbridge, Michael N. Kochert, Juan J. Maceda, Maria E. ZaccagniniGolden eagles in the U.S. and Canada: Status, trends, and conservation challenges
We reviewed the literature to assess status and population trends and to identify mortality factors affecting Golden Eagle populations in the U.S. and Canada. Nesting populations in Alaska and Canada are stable, but some nesting populations in the western U.S. have declined. Small but steady declines in the intermountain West have been associated with shrub loss and declining jackrabbit populatioAuthorsMichael N. Kochert, Karen SteenhofNon-USGS Publications**
Marti, C.D., Kochert, M.N., 1996, Diet and trophic characteristics of great horned owls in southwestern Idaho: Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 67, no. 4, p. 499-506.Tigner, J.R., Call, M.W., Kochert, M.N., 1996, Effectiveness of artificial nesting structures for ferruginous hawks in Wyoming In: Bird, D.M., Varland, D.E., Negro, J.J., eds., Raptors in Human Landscapes: London, UK, Academic Press Ltd., p. 137-144.Vekasy, M.S., Marzluff, J.M., Kochert, M.N., Lehman, R.N., Steenhof, K., 1996, Influence of radio transmitters on prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus): Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 67, no. 4, p. 680-690.Marti, C.D., Kochert, M.N., 1995, Are red-tailed hawks and great horned owls diurnal-nocturnal dietary counterparts?: Wilson Bulletin, v. 107, no. 4, p. 615-628.Marti, C.D., Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., Marks, J.S., 1993, Community trophic structure- the roles of diet, body size, and activity time in vertebrate predators: Oikos, v. 67, no. 1, p. 6-18.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., Roppe, J.A., 1993, Nesting by raptors and common ravens on electrical transmission line towers: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 57, no. 2, p. 271-281.Engel, K.A., Young, L.S., Roppe, J.A., Kochert, M.N., 1992, Communal roosting of common ravens in southwestern Idaho: Wilson Bulletin, v. 104, no. 1, p. 105-121.Olendorff, R.R., Kochert, M.N., 1992, Raptor habitat management on public lands- A strategy for the future: US Bureau of Land Management BLM/SC/PT-92/009+6635, p. 46.Holthuijzen, A.M., Eastland, W.G., Ansell, A.R., Kochert, M.N., Williams, R.D., Young, L.S., 1990, Effects of blasting on behavior and productivity of nesting prairie falcons: Wildlife Society Bulletin, v. 18, p. 270-281.Olendorff, R.R., Bibles, D., Dean, M., Haugh, J.R., Kochert, M.N., 1989, Raptor Habitat Management Under the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Multiple-use Mandate: Boise, ID, The Raptor Research Foundation, p. 1-80.Kochert, M.N., 1989, Responses of raptors to livestock grazing in the western United States Ineds., B.G. Pendleton [ed] Proceedings of the western raptor management symposium and workshop: Washington, DC, National Wildlife Federation, p. 194-203.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., 1988, Dietary responses of three raptor species to changing prey densities in a natural environment: Journal of Animal Ecology, v. 57, p. 37-48.Edwards, T.C., Collopy, M.W., Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., 1988, Sex ratios of fledgling Golden Eagles: Auk, v. 105, no. 4, p. 793-796.Kochert, M.N., Pellant, M., 1986, Multiple Use in the Snake River Birds of Prey Area: Bureau of Land Management, v. 8, no. 5, p. 217-220.Kochert, M.N., 1986, Raptors InBoyd, R., Stuart, H.R., eds., Inventory and Monitoring of Wildlife Habitat: Denver, CO, USDOI, BLM Service Center, p. 313-349.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., 1985, Dietary shifts of sympatric buteos during a prey decline: Oecologia, v. 66, p. 6-16.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., Moritsch, M.Q., 1984, Dispersal and migration of southwestern Idaho raptors: Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 55, no. 3, p. 357-368.Kochert, M.N., Steenhof, K., Moritsch, M.Q., 1983, Evaluation of patagial markers for raptors and ravens: Wildlife Society Bulletin, v. 11, no. 3, p. 271-281.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., Doremus, J.H., 1983, Nesting of subadult Golden Eagles in Southwestern Idaho: Auk, v. 100, no. 3, p. 743-747.Steenhof, K., Kochert, M.N., 1982, An evaluation of methods used to estimate raptor nesting success: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 46, no. 4, p. 885-893.Kochert, M.N., 1980, Workshop on Raptors and Energy Developments: Boise, ID, The Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration and the Idaho Power Company, p. 1-125.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government