Record Details
Utilization of mineral sites by bandtailed pigeons
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Utilization of mineral sites by bandtailed pigeons |
| Names |
Passmore, Michael Forrest
(creator) Jarvis, Robert L. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1977-03-18 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1977 |
| Abstract | The occurrence of band-tailed pigeons (Columba fasciata) three mineral sites in Western Oregon was studied during the summers of 1974-1976. Objectives of the study were o: determine seasonal patterns of utilization of mineral sites by pigeons of different sex and age classes; determine productivity of pigeon populations associated with Mineral sites; determine fidelity of pigeons to mineral sites; and determine sizes of pigeon populations utilizing miner al sites. Study sites included two sites (Long Tom and Nashville) where pigeons were hunted during the Oregon band-tailed pigeon hunting season and one site where hunting was prohibited (Finley). Observations of pigeons marked with patagial wing tags provided information on daily and seasonal patterns, fidelity of pigeons to mineral sites, and sizes of pigeon populations using the mineral sites. Productivity was determined from counts of adult and immature pigeons recorded at 15 min intervals. Observations occurred daily between sunrise and 1200 h at each site during 2 of the 3 years. Band-tailed pigeons were associated with mineral sites from May to September, coinciding with the breeding season. The most intensive period of use of mineral was during August when the majority of immatures fledged. Males and females frequented mineral sites during different time periods and males were associated with mineral for longer seasonal periods than were females. Cloudy and wet weather had adverse affects on the numbers of pigeons visiting the sites. Adult pigeons had high fidelity to mineral sites, both among years and during each breeding season. Interchange was frequently observed between two closely adjacent sites. Estimates of sizes of populations indicated that between 1800 and 2500 pigeons were associated with the three sites in 1976. Patterns of nesting and productivity varied among the sites. Pigeons associated with the site where hunting was prohibited (Finley) had approximately twice the amount of production as did pigeons at the two sites where hunting occurred. Most pigeons associated with the Finley site and probably the Nashville site were involved in multiple nestings, but the majority of the birds associated with the Long Tom site nested only once per season. Patterns of utilization of mineral and productivity displayed by pigeons associated with the Nashville site were probably representative of the reproductive activities of the majority of band-tailed pigeons which bred in Oregon. |
| Genre | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Topic | Band-tailed pigeon |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/17892 |
