A Study of Band-tailed Pigeons (Columba fasciata) in

Southeastern Arizona

Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitUniversity of Arizona

Map credit: USGS Breeding Bird Survey

Adult Male

Adult Female

Hatch Year (Sex Unknown)

Vocalizations

• Coo calls• Chirps• Grunts

• Wing clapPhoto credit: Peter Latourrette

www.birdphotography.com

Habitat

Foraging

• Utilize variety of food resources

• Forage in flocks

• Capable of flying great distances to locate food

• Supplement diet with sodium from mineral springs and salt licks

Breeding Biology

• Breeding season April to September (peak June/July)

• 1 (sometimes 2) egg per clutch• 1-3 nests per year• 40-50 day nest cycle• Both sexes incubate egg• Adults feed young crop milk

Nest Sites

Santa Catalina Mountains 8,130’ Santa Catalina Mountains 8,830’ Chiricahua Mountains 5,630’

Population Declines

“This species is most numerous near the mouth of the Columbia River, where immense flocks were

to be seen from May to October 1865, which fairly rivaled those of the passenger pigeon”

Carpenter in Bendire (1892)

• Coastal race: documented population decline

• Interior race: suspected population decline

Harvest returns in Arizona

Potential Threats

• Over-harvest• Disease• Modification or loss of habitat• Pesticides

Study Objectives (Primary)

• Evaluate 5 potential survey techniques

• Estimate detection probability associated with each survey technique

• Develop effective survey protocol for use in interior region

Detection Probability

• = probability of detecting bird during survey given that bird is present along survey route

• Test validity of different survey methods by comparing variation in detection probabilities

• Adjust estimates of relative abundance to estimates of absolute abundance

Study Objectives (Secondary)

• Estimate reproductive success

• Measure habitat characteristics at nests

• Measure habitat characteristics at foraging sites

Study Area

Map credit: Bruce Walsh, University of Arizona

Survey Techniques Evaluated

1) Auditory surveys (6-min)2) Auditory surveys (20-min)3) Call-broadcast surveys4) Mark/recapture5) Counts at baited sites

Auditory and Call-broadcast Surveys

• 8 survey routes in each of 3 mountain ranges

• Up to 6 replicate surveys of each route during breeding season

• Surveys from 15 min before sunrise to 120 min after sunrise

Survey Route:6 points spaced 400 m apart

Auditory and Call-broadcast Surveys

• 6-min auditory surveys at all 6 survey points

• 20-min auditory surveys at 2 survey points

• Call-broadcast surveys at all 6 survey points

Mark/Recapture and Counts at Baited Feed Sites

• Five baited sites• Trap pigeons ~3

days/week • Color band pigeons• Count pigeons at

baited feed sites

Radio Tracking

Preliminary Results

• Pigeons detected on 88% of survey routes

• Average of < 1 pigeon per survey

• Short duration auditory surveys more effective

Preliminary Results

• Call broadcasts appear to increase detection rate of pigeons

• Results from bait site counts and trapping inconclusive

• 5 of 6 pigeon nests failed

We Need Your Help

• Sightings of color banded pigeons• Locations of foraging sites (especially in low- elevation areas)• Locations of pigeon nests

Contact: Chris Kirkpatrick(520) 626-8912 kirkpatr@email.arizona.edu

Project Funded by:

• Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund

• Webless Migratory Game Bird Program

• United States Geological Survey

• University of Arizona

Thanks to:

• Assistance with field work: Dave fox, Eduardo Martinez-Leyva, Eric Nolte, Chuck Seal, Dominic LaRoche, Clait Braun

• Summerhaven residents: Mike Cooper, Linda Currin, Mike Stanley, Arthur Faul, Debbie at “Living Rainbow”