Population Dynamics of a Scaled Quail
Population
in Trans-Pecos Texas
by Chad Ellis, R. Bill Adams, Betty Ackerson,
Justin Foster,
Lisa Green, Kristian McIntyre and Louis A. Harveson
Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) is an important game
bird in the Chihuahuan Desert, however little is known about its
ecology in West Texas. As part of a larger research effort
investigating scaled quail ecology, we evaluated our methodology on
trapping techniques, radio telemetry and data analysis.
A trap-recapture study of scaled quail was conducted on a 200 ha
ranch in Alpine, Texas. The objectives of the study were to:
- Estimate population size, movement rates and home ranges
- Assess inter- and intra-covey dynamics
- Identify preferred habitats by scaled quail.
The trapping area was divided into three different habitats. The
line intercept method was performed five times on each area. All
three sites were predominately bare ground. Mesquite was the
dominant vegetation.
A total of 270 trap-night yielded 95 captures of 40 individuals.
Quail were leg-banded, sexed, aged and measured. The
Lincoln-Petersen biased/unbiased, Bailey's, Schnabel and
Schumacher-Eschmeyer methods were used to estimate population
size.
Population estimates ranged from 33-45 (SD = ±4.57)
quail. Two scaled quail were radioed and located 2x/day.
Home ranges and movement rates were determined using minimum
convex polygon and adaptive kernal estimators in the CALHOME
software. Home range size varied from 92.8-36.9 ha for quail 101
(female) and 356-75.1 ha for quail 042 (male).
Quail 101 traveled an average of 533 m between consecutive
locations. Quail 042 averaged 807 m between movements.
Covey dynamics were examined using a matrix of associated birds.
Evidence suggests that all but two individuals were members of one
covey.
Age ratios differed significantly between 1999 and 1998 and sex
ratios were similar between the years. Chi-square analysis was
preformed to see if the birds used habitats in proportion to its
availability. Habitat was used in proportion to availability.
Funding was provided by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and
Sul Ross State University.
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Sul Ross State University
