Browsing by Subject "Wild turkey"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Rio Grande wild turkey hen habitat and edge use, survival, and reproductive characteristics in the Texas rolling plains(Texas Tech University, 1993-05) Smith-Blair, Amy ElizabethReproductive characteristics and habitat use of adult Rio Grande wild turkey hens in west Texas were studied. Members of a^locly using a winter roost in Garza and Borden Counties, were trapped and instrumented with radio transmitters. The hens dispersed later in 1990 (28 March to 7 May) than in 1991 (11 March to 12 April). Dispersal distances averaged 7.2 km in 1990 and 12.6 km in 1991. (Mean nest initiation occurred at approximately the same time each yeay-17 May, 1990 and 8 May, 1991. Mean clutch sizes were 11.2 and 10.9 in 1990 and 1991, respectively. Nest success was 28.7% in 1990 and 34.8% in 1991. Predation (47.6%, 1990; 43.5%, 1991), hen abandonment (17.8%, 1990; none, 1991) and attended, but unhatched, clutches (5.9%, 1990; 21.7%, 1991) were responsible for unsuccessful nests. The birds were tested for Mycoplasma spp. but they were found not to be infected with Mgallisepticum. a known contributor to wild turkey infertility. March-August survival rates of adult hens were 52.6% in 1990 and 54.3% in 1991. Average home range size of adult Rio Grande wild turkey hens was 2920 ha in 1990 and 3208 ha in 1991. Hens selected the(mesquite-hackberry brush and the mesquite brush vegetation)type for general locations and for poultrearing. They selected the mixed brush type for nesting and poult-rearing. All bird locations exhibited 50% visual obstruction (1.0 m observation height) at 23 m or less. Post-dispersal locations and roost sites showed hen selection for edges between vegetation types, (hoost sites occurred on the edge between cultivated fields and the mesquite brush habitat and between the mesquite shrub-grassland and mesquite brush habitats, combinations of open and more dense habitats.Item Rio grande wild turkey nesting ecology in Kansas and the rolling plains of Texas(Texas Tech University, 2003-05) Barnett, Terri L.The following work represents partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Wildlife Sciences in the Graduate College at Texas Tech University. This research project studied habitat use and breeding area fidelity in Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Kansas and the Panhandle of Texas. Chapter II documents nesting habitat at 4 study areas and assesses the differences among the study areas. This chapter also assesses what structural components and vegetation types may provide quality habitat for wild turkey hens to be more successful. Chapter in documents Rio Grande wild turkeys exhibiting breeding area fidelity to their previous nesting area in successive years at 4 study areas and the potential consequences for exhibiting or not exhibiting breeding area fidelity. Both chapters represent manuscripts that are intended for submission in peer-reviewed journals following completion of this thesis. This work represents my writing, analyzing, and researching abilities. With the guidance of my committee, I designed this study, collected the data, and synthesized the research into two manuscripts. Authorships for the following manuscripts were determined based on contributions as well as a synthesis of the guidelines outlined by the CBE Style Manual Committee (1978), Dickson and Coimer (1978), and Fine and Kurdek (1993).Item Wild turkey pre-flight poult habitat characteristics and survival(Texas Tech University, 2002-05) Spears, Brian LeeChapters III through V represent manuscripts intended for publication in peerreviewed journals. Chapter III examines the retention times of glued-on radiotransmitters on wild turkey poults in natural settings, and is a follow up of a pen study conducted at Texas Tech University in 2000 (Bowman et al. 2002). Chapter IV documents Rio Grande wild turkey pre-flight poult daily survival from hatch to tree roosting. Chapter V examines Rio Grande wild turkey pre-flight poult habitat use and relates habitat use to poult survival. This work represents my experimental design, ability and desire to conduct accurate scientific field research and my writing and analysis abilities. This work also represents the long days and hard work contributed by many other graduate students and hired research technicians. Authorships for Chapters III through V were determined based on contributions.