Raptor selection of captive reared and released Galliform birds. (10th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perkins, Rebecca; Boal, Clint W.; Dabbert, C. Brad
• Is Part Of: Wildlife Society bulletin. Volume 42:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 713
• Page End: 715
• Publication Date: 2018-12-10
• Subjects: captive‐reared -- Galliformes -- northern bobwhite -- pen‐reared -- raptor predation -- reintroduction; Wildlife management -- Periodicals; Wildlife conservation -- Periodicals; 333.9540973
• DOI: 10.1002/wsb.925
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-7648

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Captive rearing and release of birds in the order Galliformes remains a popular management tactic despite low survival rates. We investigated avian predator selection of captive‐reared northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) as a potential driver of their high mortality. We simulated avian predator hunts on a flushing pair of bobwhites during trials conducted from 6 February 2015 to 14 February 2015 in Texas, USA. When presented a choice of a captive‐reared bobwhite or wild bobwhite, a Harris's hawk ( Parabuteo unicinctus ) pursued a captive‐reared bobwhite in 8 of 10 flight trials. This selective rate, combined with observations from auxiliary research indicate avian predation may be a greater risk for captive‐reared birds than wild birds. The success of captive‐rearing and release efforts may benefit from a better understanding of how to more adequately prepare captive‐reared birds for release. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. Abstract : Despite high levels of mortality, wildlife managers and hunters continue to release captive‐reared Galliformes to augment wild populations. Using paired‐release trials we observed a trained Harris's hawk to select a captive‐reared northern bobwhite over a wild northern bobwhite in 8 of 10 trials, potentially indicating that avian predation is a greater risk for captive‐reared birds than wild birds.