Effects of range condition on habitat use by greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido

Thomas A. Eddy

Eddy, T.A. 1997: Effects of range condition on habitat use by greater prairie-chickens Typanuchus cupido. - Wildl. Biol. 3: 286.

Habitat use by greater prairie-chickens Tympanuchus cupido was studied in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Five specific habitat-use categories were identified and described based on 126 observations of prairie-chickens and 3,014 indirect instances of use from 1991 to 1995 in a 5-county area. Leks were on claypan range sites in poor condition dominated by short grasses and annual forbs. These sites had a vegetation height-density index of 0.7 dm, canopy cover of 80%, and use was limited to spring and fall. Nesting areas were on loamy upland sites in fair range condition where tallgrass species dominated. The vegetation height-density index was 1.3 dm, canopy cover was 98%, and use was limited to spring. Brooding areas were on loamy upland range sites in good range condition and characterized by tall and mid grasses with annual and perennial forbs. The vegetation height-density index was 1.8 dm and canopy cover was 109%. Brooding areas were used by birds during spring and early summer. Roosting and loafing areas were on loamy range sites in fair range condition in mid and tallgrass habitat. The height-density index was 1.2 dm and the canopy cover was 101%. Use by birds was year round. Feeding areas were on loamy upland range sites in good range condition and in 2-20 ha agricultural fields. The height-density index at feeding areas was 1.5 dm and canopy cover was 113%. Use of agricultural crops was seasonal.

Key words: greater prairie-chicken, habitat use, Kansas, Tympanuchus cupido

Thomas A. Eddy, Division of Biological Sciences, Campus Box 4050, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas 66801, USA