Presentation
Movements of Mountain Plovers within and between breeding season
Natural Resource Ecology and Management Conference Papers, Posters and Presentations
Document Type
Presentation
Disciplines
Conference
125th Meeting of the American Ornithologists Union
Publication Date
8-1-2007
Geolocation
(41.3113669, -105.5911007)
Abstract
The Mountain Plover breeds on Black-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies in Phillips Co., Montana. They have an unusual mating system that raises questions about sex-specific movements within and between breeding seasons as they relate to nest fate. We studied nesting ploversfrom 1995 - 2006, determined the fate of >1300 nests, and examined movements of plovers that nested in successive years. A total of 48 plovers moved within years and another 166 moved between years. Within years, mean distance moved was 5.35 km (SD = 9.86) for females and 7.08 km (SD = 12.69) for males and did not differ (t = -0.53, P = 0.60). Between years, mean distance moved was 4.54 km (SD = 8.53) for females and 2.13 km (SD = 5.05) for males and differed (t = -3.07, P < 0.01). By fate, unsuccessful nesters moved farther than successful nesters the next breeding season (t = 2.92, P < 0.01). These results provide insight into the relationship between nest fate and fidelity and relate these to gender in a species with unusual parental roles.
Language
en
Citation Information
Paul Daniel Blom Skrade and Stephen J. Dinsmore. "Movements of Mountain Plovers within and between breeding season" Laramie, WY(2007) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephen_dinsmore/40/