Hazel Grouse Research Articles

Sylviculture et revitalisation des habitats des Tétraonidés dans le canton de Neuchâtel (Suisse) | Silviculture and revitalisation of the Tetrao habitats in Canton Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

Since initial awareness at the end of the 1980s of the contribution that differentiated silviculture can make to the survival of the capercaille and hazel grouse, a steadily growing collaborative approach has developed between grouse specialists, forest owners and silvicultural professionals. The article presents the experimental approach underway in Canton Neuchâtel with the aim of promoting the revitalisation of the habitat of these bird species. Founded on the setting up of networks of the regions' populations the forestry measures aim at the creation of a structured «patchwork» environment; each essential vegetative structure of the habitat of each species constitutes a particular part of the whole.

Home range and habitat selection of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia in a temperate forest of South Korea

Home range and habitat selection of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia (five males and three females) were assessed by radio tracking in a temperate forest of South Korea during January 2002–September 2004. Ninety-five percent minimum convex polygon home range size based on three to five times location per week ranged from 36.2 to 73.6 ha, with a median of 53.8 ha. Hazel grouse’ habitat use differed from random use of available habitats within the home range. In this home range scale of habitat selection, natural deciduous forest and coniferous plantation ranked highest, followed by mixed forest, deciduous plantation and others (rock and bare areas). Declines in amount of natural deciduous forest may be harmful to hazel grouse populations, but also beneficial by creating more dense understory coverage in coniferous plantations. For the conservation and management of hazel grouse populations, natural deciduous forest and coniferous plantation should be maintained and protected in Korea.

Post‐juvenile dispersal of Hazel GrouseBonasa bonasiain an expanding population of the southeastern French Alps

We studied the post‐juvenile dispersal of 18 radiotagged juvenile Hazel GrouseBonasa bonasia(14 males, four females) in an expanding population in the southeastern French Alps between 1998 and 2001. The mean dispersal distances between the capture sites of juveniles in September–October and the centre of the home range in the following spring was 4 km for males (range 0.1–24.9 km) and 2 km for females (range 0.2–5.6 km). The distances recorded for two long‐dispersing males (15 and 24.9 km) are greater than those reported to date for Hazel Grouse. Using our radiotracking data, we interpret the pattern of range expansion that has been occurring since the 1950s around our study area. Barriers to dispersal included rocky ground and other alpine habitats above 2000 m and over 1 km wide, but Hazel Grouse did cross open agricultural land at lower elevation. Two patterns of dispersal movements were recognized in juveniles: erratic movements that led to settlement on or near the natal site, and direct movements to a new range relatively far from the natal area. We discuss the adaptive consequences of these different behaviour patterns.

Predicting forest grouse distribution taking account of spatial autocorrelation

Spatially explicit, multi-scale models for predictions of species potential distribution can be useful tools for integrating biodiversity considerations in planning and strategic environmental assessment. In such models, the occurrences of focal species are related to habitat and landscape variables, which in urbanising areas should also include effects of urban disturbances. Moreover, the accuracy of the spatial predictive models may be affected by spatial autocorrelation, which means that a part of the variance is explained by neighbouring values. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of habitat and disturbance patterns on the distribution of two forest grouse species, Tetrao urogallus and Bonasa bonasia , and to detect and model the effects of spatial autocorrelation. The distribution of the two species could be explained in terms of reduction of a main predator, habitat quality, quantity and connectivity, including urban disturbances. The residuals of the initial regressions showed positive spatial autocorrelation that could be quantified by using a spatial probit model. The application of the spatial probit model revealed strongly significant spatial dependencies for both species. Furthermore, the model fit could be increased for T. urogallus by applying this model. The results implied that both species distributions might be affected by both reactions to the underlying land-use pattern, but also by interaction with neighbours. The use of the spatial probit model is a way to incorporate spatial interactions that otherwise cannot be captured by the independent variables.

Body Sizes of Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia from Hokkaido

Body Sizes of Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia from Hokkaido

The Use of c-mos Nuclear Gene as a Phylogenetic Marker in Tetraonidae Birds

A 480-bp fragment of nuclear c-mos gene was sequenced in nine bird species representing four genera of the family Tetraonidae. It was demonstrated that nuclear genome region examined was highly conservative. The data were used to construct phylogenetic relationships among the c-mos gene sequences in Tetraonidae. The data obtained point to a paraphyletic origin of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus).

Seasonal changes in territorial behaviour of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in a temperate forest of South Korea

We studied the seasonal changes in territorial behaviour of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) from December 1999 to July 2001 in a temperate forest of South Korea. The study was based on the use of radio telemetry. Territory size and degree of overlap increased after the breeding period, and index of advertisement and border disputes decreased. In spring, the territory was defended by both males and females. During autumn and winter, this behaviour was relaxed to such a degree that hazel grouse cannot be considered territorial, but as forming a home range.

Does fragmentation by logging reduce grouse reproductive success in boreal forests?

In 1999 and 2001, we compared the population characteristics of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, black grouse T. tetrix and hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia inside the pristine forest reserve State Natural Reserve ‘Pinezhskiy’ in northwestern Russia and in the logged forests surrounding the reserve. We also compared the abundance of mammalian predators and birds of prey. The August density of capercaillie was lower in logged forests than in the reserve (P = 0.05), but black grouse tended to be more abundant in the logged area (P = 0.08). For hazel grouse, no difference in abundance was found between the reserve and the logged area. Reproductive success of all three grouse species was generally higher in the logged area than in the reserve. A winter track survey indicated low abundance (< 1 track/10 km/24 hours) and no difference in density of small and mediumsized mammalian predators between the reserve and the logged area. The only exception was red fox Vulpes vulpes whose tracks were recorded only in the logged area. Buzzards Buteo spp. and goshawk Accipiter gentilis were the most numerous birds of prey. Goshawk tended to be more common in the reserve (P = 0.09), whereas buzzards were seen more often in the logged area (P = 0.1). Tracks of mountain hare Lepus timidus was twice as abundant in the logged forest (P = 0.02), whereas tracks of red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris was almost 10 times more numerous in the reserve (P < 0.001) than in the logged area. Judged by the remains found, the majority (72%) of grouse were killed by birds of prey. Our study suggests that reproduction of all three species of forest grouse in this region remains stable or increases following logging. We hypothesise that this may be due to the type of logging performed and to differences in the composition of predators and of prey other than grouse inside and outside the reserve.

Occurrence of hazel grouseBonasa bonasiain a heavily human-impacted landscape near the Changbai Mountains, northeastern China

The occurrence of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia in forest patches in a heavily human-impacted landscape with a matrix dominated by agricultural fields in northeastern China was documented four times during autumn and spring 2000–2002. The occurrence of hazel grouse in fragmented landscapes in Europe is influenced by patch isolation, size and composition. In China, we found that patch composition and size, and their interaction, best explained the pattern of hazel grouse occurrence, with a greater probability that grouse were found in larger patches with more deciduous trees. In contrast to results from Europe, isolation distance was not an important explanatory variable. In addition, hazel grouse in China used patches with a higher deciduous component. Thus, although still vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, Asian hazel grouse seem to be less vulnerable than European hazel grouse. One reason may be that Asian hazel grouse are adapted to more open, deciduous-dominated habitats and form flocks in winter, which may allow them to move more freely over open habitats to forest patches. Continued habitat fragmentation and the planting of small forest patches to coniferous-dominated forest are detrimental to hazel grouse in the study area. Future plantings should contain more deciduous trees and consideration to the landscape effects reported here should be given.

Winter sociality of hazel grouseBonasa bonasiain relation to habitat in a temperate forest of South Korea

Winter flock size, food abundance and habitat variables were determined for hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia vicinitas near the southern edge of the species' range in South Korea. Most of the hazel grouse formed sexually mixed flocks with a mean flock size of 4.21 ± 0.87 (SD) in winter. Understory coverage was higher at foraging sites than at random sites. Group size was inversely correlated with understory coverage, and hazel grouse foraging alone used sites with more cover than hazel grouse foraging in flocks in both mixed forest and coniferous plantations. Groups were larger in forests with less understory coverage, but larger groups were also found at sites with more food. The winter diet of hazel grouse was mainly buds and catkins of trees in the genera Salix, Betula and Almts.

Survival in an expanding hazel grouseBonasa bonasiapopulation in the southeastern French Alps

By use of radio-tracking, we studied hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia in the southeastern French Alps from 1998 to 2002. The Kaplan-Meier annual survival rate of adult males (N = 41) was 0.72 (95% C.I.: 0.59 - 0.85), and 0.60 for adult females (N = 15; 95% C.I.: 0.40 - 0.91). For juveniles (sexes combined; N = 29) the survival over nine months (15 September-15 June) was 0.74 (95% C.I.: 0.58–0.90). The seasonal pattern of survival was different for the two sexes. Adult male survival during November-April (S = 0.76; N = 38) was lower than during May-October (S = 0.95; N = 41). Only three of 16 male deaths (ages combined) occurred in summer. Female survival (ages combined) during November-April (S = 0.90; N = 16) was higher than during May-October (S = 0.70; N = 16). Five of six females died between May and July, i.e. during egg laying, incubation or brood rearing. Raptors, red foxes Vulpes vulpes or pine martens Martes martes accounted for most mortality of adults. The estimated annual survival rates were high compared to those reported for more northern populations, and the difference may be due to an extensive, dense and well-structured habitat that reduces the ability of raptors to kill hazel grouse. The high survival rates may explain the range expansion currently occurring in the southeastern French Alps.

Habitat Composition and Bird Diversity in Managed Boreal Forests

This study investigated the occurrence of 25 forest bird species in relation to stand and landscape habitat composition in managed boreal forests in central Sweden. The number of species in 10 km transects was positively correlated to the proportions of forest > 40 yrs and Mixed forest >40 yrs, as well as the number of fragments of the latter, while negatively correlated to the proportions of clear-cuts and young forest. Transects with >60% older forest including > 6% mixed habitats showed the highest number of bird species and individuals. The positive effect on species numbers of mixed forest was stronger in the study area where deciduous rich habitats were generally less abundant. Bird species richness in points of similar habitat was negatively correlated to the degree of fragmentation of the surrounding older forest. However, in a species-by-species analysis at the transect level no effects of fragmentation were found. The number of bird species at points was positively influenced by the increase from 0 to 5% deciduous trees, while no effect of higher deciduous site proportions showed. The hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) appeared as a significant indicator of high bird diversity at the transect (landscape) level, by all methods used. However, the conclusion was reached that forests where the hazel grouse, blue tit (Parus caeruleus), treecreeper (Certia familiaris), jay (Garrulus glandarius) and capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) are present are most likely to hold the potential for high bird species richness.

Winter habitat selection by two sympatric forest grouse in western Switzerland: implications for conservation

Two endangered tetraonids, the capercaillie ( Tetrao urogallus) and the hazel grouse ( Bonasa bonasia rupestris), are sympatric throughout part of their distribution range in central Europe. Precise information on their specific habitat requirements is needed if the coexistence of both species in exploited forests is to be maintained. We quantified winter habitat selection for both species in the upper part (1100–1600 m) of the Jura mountains (Switzerland). No preference for altitude or exposure could be detected. Capercaillie preferred open forests (including grazed forests) with a sparse canopy dominated by spruce ( Picea abies) and fir ( Abies alba), and avoided dense undercanopy and understorey, especially when dominated by spruce and beech ( Fagus sylvatica). By contrast, hazel grouse preferred feeding sites with a dense understorey of rowan ( Sorbus aucuparia), willow ( Salix sp.), beech and spruce. These preferences can be related to the feeding habits and predator avoidance behaviour of both species. Coexistence thus requires a mosaic distribution of habitat types, with a matrix of open forests (30% canopy cover) where fir is favoured, and understorey kept sparse (20%). Group-cuts of mature trees should allow regeneration patches, where a dense understorey (50% cover) should provide suitable habitats for hazel grouse.

Molecular population phylogeny of the hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia in East Asia inferred from mitochondrial control‐region sequences

A total of 62 mitochondrial haplotypes were detected from 174 samples of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia from Hokkaido, Primorskii, Sakhalin, Magadan, Siberia and Bohemia using 428 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Haplotype diversity for four populations in Hokkaido was more than 0.8, suggesting that a reasonable population size had been maintained throughout their history. Haplotypes from Hokkaido and haplotypes from Primorskii were clearly separated from other Eurasian continent haplotypes, not only in the phylogenetic tree but also in the network tree. Haplotypes from Hokkaido, Sakhalin and Magadan radiated from the hypothetical root composed of a double cubic network of parallel substitutions. Most of the haplotypes were separated by three substitutions from the root, or within a maximum of five substitutions. Pairwise sequence differences for most Eurasian haplotypes had a bimodal curve consisting of the first peak at 0–1 substitution differences and the second peak at 3–4 substitution differences, whereas those for Hokkaido haplotypes had only a peak at around 4–6 substitution differences. These observations most likely indicate that the populations analysed were differentiated about 40,000 years ago, and have expanded to the present distribution during the climatic optimum over the last 10,000 years.

Phylogeny of Tetraoninae and other galliform birds using mitochondrial 12S and ND2 genes

The avian subfamily Tetraoninae (grouse and ptarmigan) is a Holarctic group in the order Galliformes distinguished by morphological adaptations to cold environments and behavioral traits associated with elaborate courtship. Here we investigate the relationships of 17 tetraonines and 12 other galliform species using mitochondrial 12S and ND2 sequence data. We found support for the recent phylogenetic classification that separates the genus Dendragapus into two genera, Falcipennis and Dendragapus. In addition, we found support for a tetraonine clade in which the first divergence is between Bonasa umbellus and all others, followed by divergence between a Bonasa bonasia/ Bonasa sewerzowi clade and the remaining tetraonines. Falcipennis canadensis is sister to a clade with four Tetrao species, and the genus Centrocercus is sister to a Dendragapus obscurus/Tympanuchus clade. Our data indicate a basal position for Cracidae and Megapodiidae among the five recognized galliform families. We also found strong support for the monophyly of Phasianidae, although the relative positions of Numididae and Odontiphoridae remains unresolved. We use a maximum likelihood approach to infer ages of 37 mya for divergence of Numididae and Phasianidae and 28 mya for the divergence of Tetraoninae and Meleagris gallopavo. These estimates must be viewed as tentative as they depend on tests of rates of molecular evolution and accurate fossil dates.

Characteristics of seasonal movement of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in a temperate forest

This study were carried out in the Experimental Forest (37° 48′ 10″ N, 127° 48′ 50″ E) of Gangwon Forest Development Institute, Gamjeong-ri, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province, Korea from Dec. 1999 to Jul. 2002. Eight individuals (three males and five females) of hazel grouse were captured and they were marked with a 14-g necklace-type transmitter. The surveying results showed that females were more active than males throughout the year, but males were more mobile than females in spring. The degree of movement for females and males was similar from summer to winter. The overlap degree of habitat was very large from spring to autumn. Hazel grouse had greater shifts in area use in winter. They used similar area from spring to autumn, made a shift in their habitat use in winter, and then shifted back to the previous habitat.

The habitat requirements of hazel grouse ( Bonasa bonasia) in managed boreal forest and applicability of forest stand descriptions as a tool to identify suitable patches

We evaluated preferences of habitat variables by hazel grouse ( Bonasa bonasia) in an intensively managed boreal landscape in south-central Sweden. We surveyed 71 forest patches that varied in tree age, tree species composition, structure and field layer, as described by ordinary forest stand data. They were surveyed during autumn and spring for 2 years. A distinct difference in habitat quality, measured as amount of vertical cover and development of the field layer, was found among patches occupied during spring, patches occupied during only autumn and unoccupied patches. We found that the existing nation-wide forest stand data are adequate to select habitat patches to maintain hazel grouse in managed forested landscapes. However, the stand data would be improved if parameters concerning field-layer type, alder and field-layer cover were added. We used the results of an earlier study to predict hazel grouse occurrence in our studied patches. Unthinned middle-aged (20–69 years) or old (>90 years) stands rich in deciduous trees (5–40%), including alder, and with a rich field layer were the most often occupied patches. Moreover, the low density of hazel grouse in this landscape, compared to hazel grouse densities in less intensively managed landscapes, clearly showed the influence of forestry on the species.

エゾライチョウの生物学

The Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia) is a small forest grouse occurring in temperate and boreal forests from Scandinavia to the Far East. The species is assumed to have reached Hokkaido, northern Japan, via Sakhalin Island, during the last ice age about 40, 000 years ago. The subspecies occurring in Hokkaido is now recognisably distinct as B. b. vicinitas. Pairs are formed from late March to early May. During this period males whistle actively. Six to ten eggs are laid in early or mid-May and hatch in early June after incubation of 23 to 25 days. Young attain adult size by late August and have adult plumage by mid-September. The main diet consists of the leaves and seeds of herbaceous plants and trees and arthropods during late spring and summer, the buds of broad-leaved trees and vine fruits during autumn and winter, and buds and catkins in early spring. The Hazel Grouse has two large caeca supporting effective digestion of the plant fibers comprising their main diet. Hazel Grouse prefer broad-leaved and mixed forests with relatively dense undergrowth, and they avoid larch plantations in Hokkaido. Recently, the Hazel Grouse population has decreased in Hokkaido, the main cause of which is considered to be predation by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which increased in numbers from the early 1970s until the 1990s. Brood sizes were smaller during low population periods than during normal population periods. In order to maintain, or increase, Hazel Grouse population levels, habitat management and predator control is considered necessary.

Food Habit of Hazel Grouse in Hokkaido, Japan.

The food habits of Hazel Grouses Bonasa bonasia were analyzed based on crop contents of 237 birds shot from early October to late January in 1994/95 and 1995/96 and from February to September 1996 in Hokkaido, Japan. Crop contents were greater in December and January than in October and November. Considerable seasonal variation in major food items was observed: buds of deciduous broad-leaved trees from November to February; leaves of herbaceous plants during the snow-free season; seeds during June and July, and fruits from October to January. In addition to these food items, arthropods were eaten frequently, although in small amounts, in June and July. Although the food habits of this species are basically similar in both Europe and Hokkaido, in Hokkaido the buds of a wider range of tree species were eaten in winter and the fruits of lianas such as Vitis coignetiae and Actinidia arguta were important foods during autumn and winter in Hokkaido.

Characteristics of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia distribution in southern Korea

During October 1998 ‐ May 1999, we studied the distribution of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia and the structure of their habitats in southern Korea. Hazel grouse were censused from the responses to calls imitated using a Scandinavian metal hunter's whistle in winter and spring along line transects. Hazel grouse were distributed in most of the high mountain forest areas in southern Korea. The frequency of occurrence varied with altitude within the range of 300–1,200 m a.s.l., with the highest density at 600–900 m a.s.l. Altitudinal distribution differed between seasons, however, and hazel grouse were observed at lower altitudes more often in winter than in spring. They occurred in mixed, deciduous and coniferous forest areas, but the use of forest types varied by season. Particularly many individuals were observed in planted Japanese larch Larix leptolepis forests. The coverage and density of understory vegetation was more developed where hazel grouse were observed, but coverage more than 2 m above ground did not seem to be important in explaining hazel grouse presence. The occurrence of hazel grouse was related to the development of understory vegetation more than to forest type. Seasonal use of forest types may have been related to the combined availability of food and cover in understory vegetation.