Daily Movements, Space Use, and Habitat Selection of GPS‐tagged Northern Bobwhite in Texas

Abstract

ABSTRACTDetailed information on movements, space use, and habitat selection patterns by northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite) is important for understanding population dynamics, gene flow, disease spread, and development of habitat management activities. Advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has allowed researchers to collect spatial and temporal location data with increasing accuracy, which in turn has shifted the resolution at which habitat evaluations and management focus can occur. Only recently have GPS tags been deployable for small ground‐nesting birds. We conducted a preliminary examination of the spatial ecology of 74 bobwhites equipped with GPS tags during breeding and covey season on 3 private properties in north‐central Texas, USA, during 2015–2017. Specifically, we derived daily estimates of core area and range size using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models, daily distance traveled, and distance between consecutive roost sites. Bobwhites tended to move more during breeding than covey season. Consecutive roost sites were, on average, approximately 130 m apart. Daily core area and home range size of bobwhites across the calendar year were 1.99 ± 0.13 and 6.29 ± 0.85 ha, respectively. During the breeding season, bobwhites avoided hardwood communities and showed no selection or avoidance of shrub, grass, and herbaceous communities. During covey season, bobwhites selected for herbaceous, grass, and hardwood communities, and neither selected nor avoided shrub communities. Global Positioning System data on a variety of species has become the primary information used for habitat and conservation management decisions, therefore, future research on bobwhite will include the application of GPS, which our results show can increase the temporal resolution of information and be used for habitat conservation and restoration actions. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.