Home Ranges, Habitat Selection and Mortality of Ring-necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in North-central Maryland

Abstract

Abstract Between 4 January and 15 May 1988, we captured 16 female and 10 male ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in north-central Maryland at the southern edge of their North American range and fitted them with radiotransmitters. We monitored their movements on an agricultural landscape encompassing 2002 ha from the day of capture until death, transmitter failure or 15 December 1988. Eight of 16 females and seven of 10 males survived to the nesting season. Predation accounted for 61% of the mortality of adult pheasants. Seven males and 12 females, each with ≥30 fixes per analytical time period (winter, nesting, postnesting or maximum), were used in analysis of home and core ranges, seasonal movements and habitat selection and use. Home range sizes did not differ significantly between sexes or among seasons. Pheasants had significantly larger core ranges during the nesting season than during winter or postnesting seasons. Pheasants selected home ranges with a higher proportion of shrublands and we...