Survival Rates of Bobwhite Quail Based on Band Recovery Analyses

Abstract

We present the results of a long-term (1970-85) band recovery study of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) at Tall Timbers Research Station, Leon County, Florida. The mean annual survival rate of male quail (18.7 ? 1.2 [SE] %) was significantly (P = 0.01) greater than that of females (14.3 ? 1.2%). The difference between survival of young (6-9 months old) and adults (>1 yr old) was 3 ? 2.2% and not significant. Survival rates varied significantly among years. The mean harvest was 23.3 ? 0.53%/year. Young male quail were harvested at a significantly higher rate than adult males (2% difference). There was no significant difference between harvest rates of young and adult females. Juvenile male and female harvest rates were not significantly different. However, adult females were harvested at a significantly higher rate than adult males (5% difference). Harvest varied among years. The mean annual kill (harvest rate + crippling loss) was approximately 30% for both sexes. Male and female natural mortality were approximately 52 and 56%, respectively. There was evidence of additivity of hunting and natural mortality for this population harvested in late winter. Our long-term study provides information on the survival processes for northern bobwhite quail that can be used to enhance management of the species. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 53(1):1-6 Although research on northern bobwhite quail began in the 1920's (Stoddard 1931, Errington 1933), studies of quail survival have been limited. Sound management requires good estimates of mortality rates. Mortality for hunted species can be estimated from band recovery data using models prepared by Brownie et al. (1985). These models also provide band recovery rate estimates. Harvest rate is easily obtained if the reporting rate of bands is known. Total kill estimates follow from harvest estimates if an estimate of crippling loss is available. With these data managers can partition hunting and natural (nonhunting) mortality. A recent series of papers questions whether hunting and natural mortality are additive (Anderson and Burnham 1976, Anderson et al. 1982, Nichols and Hines 1983, Burnham and Anderson 1984, Burnham et al. 1984, Nichols et al. 1984). Most of this work applies to waterfowl, particularly mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), for which the most band recovery data are available. We report the results of a long-term bandrecovery study of bobwhite quail at Tall Timbers Research Station, Leon County, Florida. We obtained survival estimates and test the additive and compensatory mortality hypotheses (Anderson et al. 1982). W. L. Cornelius assisted with computing and J. D. Nichols reviewed an earlier draft of the manuscript. We thank present and past coworkers and many biologists and volunteers, especially wildlife technician students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, for their help. This study was supported in part by Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, Florida and by an appropriation from the Congress of the United States. Funds were administered and research coordinated under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act and through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.