MONTEZUMA ECOLOGY IN THE CAPITAN MOUNTAINS,

Ryan S. Luna, Karlee D. Cork, Elizabeth A. Oaster, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, Randy L. Howard, Scott P. Lerich, and Louis A. Harveson Introduction

– Montezuma quail ( montezumae) – Cryptic coloration – Unique defense mechanisms – Range – Low densities – TX, NM, AZ, parts of Mexico – Habitat – - vegetation zones Introduction

– Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) – Cryptic coloration – Unique defense mechanisms – Range – Low densities – TX, NM, AZ, parts of Mexico – Habitat – Pine-oak vegetation zones Introduction

Male Female Introduction

– Foraging habits – Dig for food – Loafing sites – Thermal cover – Camouflage

Introduction

– Foraging habits – Dig for food – Loafing sites – Thermal cover – Camouflage

Feeding Behavior Objective

– To assess habitat use of Montezuma quail pre- and post-thinning of in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico

Study Area

– Lincoln County, NM – Capitan Mountains – 1,676–3,073m elevation – Average temperature range -5–29.1°C – 45cm precipitation – Study site – ~500 ha – 151.7 ha thinning – BLM contractor conducting thinning Figure 1. Core study site thinning polygon located within Fort Stanton-Snowy River National Conservation Area

Habitat Use Assessment Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Fitted with radio telemetry backpack – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Fitted with radio telemetry backpack – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Fitted with radio telemetry backpack – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Fitted with radio telemetry backpack – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– Capture methods – Calling – Night capture – Measurements – Fitted with radio telemetry backpack (VHF or GPS) – Sexed and aged – Weight, tarsus length, bill length, head bill length, wing length Methods

– VHF tracking – Using telemetry – During 1000-1800 hours – GPS – Remote download – Collar recovery – Night capture

Pre-Thinning Utilization (≥70% canopy cover)

– Telemetry – 292 locations – 40 Montezuma Quail – MCP – 50.65 ha ± 14.42 – Range of 2-103 ha – 50% core use area – 8.65 ha ±4.68 Pre-Thinning Utilization 60% of use in area to be thinned Post-Thinning Utilization

– Telemetry – 820 locations – 5 coveys

– MCP – 70.67 ha ±36.80 – Range 3.2-94.6 ha - 50% core use area - 5.36 ha ±3.38

Post-Thinning Utilization 85% of use in thinned area Core Use—Post-Thinning Post-Thinning GPS Covey Movements Habitat Use

Pre-Thinning Post-Thinning – MCP – MCP – 50.65 ha ± 14.42 – 70.67 ha ±36.80 – Range of 2-103 ha – Range 3.2-94.6 ha – 50% core use area - 50% core use area -5.36 ha ±3.38 – 8.65 ha ±4.68

Increase use of thinned site by 25% Loafing Site Selection

– Measurements – Visual Obstruction Index (VOI) – 10 heights of vegetation within Daubenmire frame – Basal cover: woody, grass, forb, litter, bare ground – Species present and percentage – Canopy cover – Species of cover – Height to lowest branch – Distance to cover

Top 9 Species Percent observed

1 Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 20.5%

2 Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) 7.9%

3 Carruth's sagebrush (Artemisia carruthii) 7.1%

4 Hall's panicum (Panicum hallii) 5.2%

5 Vine mesquite (Panicum obtusum) 5.2%

7 Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) 4.2%

8 Hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) 3.4%

9 ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) 3.2% Logistic Regression Acknowledgments

Questions?