NESTING ECOLOGY OF LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKENS IN SAND SAGEBRUSH PRAIRIE OF SOUTHWESTERN KANSAS

Abstract

Despite the fact that the Lesser Prairie-Chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a species of conservation concern, little is known about its nesting ecology, particularly in sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia) habitats. To find and monitor nests, we captured and equipped 227 female Lesser Prairie-Chickens with transmitters (87 yearlings, 117 adults, and 23 of unknown age) from 1997 to 2002 in southwestern Kansas. Apparent nest success was similar for yearlings (31%, n = 74) and adults (27%, n = 97) but differed marginally (P = 0.090) between first nests (29%) and renests (14%). An estimated 31% of females that were unsuccessful in their first nesting attempt initiated a second nest. The probability that a female would initiate a second nest after failure of the initial attempt was negatively influenced by the day of incubation on which the initial attempt failed. Over 95% of all nests were initiated and completed between 5 May and 2 July. The primary cause of nest failure was predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus). Mean clutch size, egg fertility, hatching success, nesting and renesting frequency, and incidence of interspecific parasitism were all similar across years and between yearlings and adults. Distances between nest sites were used as an index to nest-site fidelity between first nests and renests and for across-year nesting attempts. Mean distances between first nests and renests were similar for yearlings (1,071 m) and adults (1,182 m). Mean distance between nests constructed by the same female in subsequent years (918 m) did not differ between age classes or success of the first year's nest. Most females (80%) nested closer to a lek other than the lek where they were captured.