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1 December 2005 Factors Affecting January Reproduction of American Woodcock in Texas
R. Montague Whiting, David A. Haukos, Loren M. Smith
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Abstract

Scolopax minor (American Woodcock) populations have been declining for the past several decades. Weather conditions have been hypothesized to affect reproductive efforts in February and March in the southern United States, but similar influences on January breeding activities are unknown. We used a 17-year harvest data set from eastern Texas to examine the influence of several temperature and precipitation measures, female body mass, and forest habitat type on the occurrence of reproduction by Woodcock in January. Only adult females exhibited characteristics of breeding activity. There was annual variation (0–29%) in the occurrence of breeding adult females, but local temperature and precipitation measures were not correlated with January reproduction. More breeding Woodcock were harvested in open sapling stands than other habitats. Environmental factors other than monthly temperature and precipitation may influence January reproductive efforts of Woodcock in eastern Texas. We suggest investigation of timing of fall migration and condition of the birds upon arrival on wintering grounds as potential factors influencing reproductive efforts in January.

R. Montague Whiting, David A. Haukos, and Loren M. Smith "Factors Affecting January Reproduction of American Woodcock in Texas," Southeastern Naturalist 4(4), 639-646, (1 December 2005). https://doi.org/10.1656/1528-7092(2005)004[0639:FAJROA]2.0.CO;2
Published: 1 December 2005
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