Dispersal and habitat use by post-fledging juvenile snowy egrets and black-crowned night-herons
The Wilson Bulletin
4916_Erwin.pdf
By: R.M. Erwin, J.G. Haig, Daniel B. Stotts, and Jeff S. Hatfield
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Abstract
We studied the postfledging dispersal movements and habitat use of juvenile Snowy Egrets (Egretta thula) (SNEG) and Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) (BCNH) in coastal Virginia using a dye (picric acid) and radiotelemetry. Results from monitoring radiomarked birds revealed significant differences both years between species, with SNEGs dispersing more widely than BCNHs. BCNH juveniles usually remained south of Delaware, but SNEGs often moved into Delaware and southern New Jersey. The maximum dispersal distance found for a SNEG was ca 340 km north of the natal colony. Temporal patterns of movement followed logistic relationships, with rapid initial movements, but relatively few movements after about 23 weeks for most birds. Cumulative distances moved by juvenile SNEGs during AugustSeptember differed from 1992 to 1993. No such year difference was found for BCNHs. Compared to SNEGs, BCNHs used man-made impoundments relatively more often than natural wetlands; however no quantitative assessment of habitat preferences could be made.
Suggested Citation
Erwin, R., Haig, J., Stotts, D.B., and Hatfield, J., 1996, Dispersal and habitat use by post-fledging juvenile snowy egrets and black-crowned night-herons: The Wilson Bulletin, v. 108, no. 2, p. 342-356.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Dispersal and habitat use by post-fledging juvenile snowy egrets and black-crowned night-herons |
| Series title | The Wilson Bulletin |
| Volume | 108 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 342-356 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wilson Bulletin |
| First page | 342 |
| Last page | 356 |