Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Davis ◽  
Wesley E. Lanyon
Keyword(s):  
Sturnella Neglecta

Male quality and song repertoires in western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1059-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Horn ◽  
Thomas E. Dickinson ◽  
J. Bruce Falls
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Wing Length ◽  
Territory Size ◽  
Male Quality ◽  
Repertoire Size ◽  
Song Repertoire ◽  
Signalling System ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta ◽  
Song Repertoires

The relationship between song repertoire size and measures of male quality and reproductive success was examined in a Manitoba population of western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta). Repertoire size correlated positively with the singer's wing length but not with mass or territory size. Males with larger repertoires tended to pair earlier and males with higher pairing success had larger repertoires. Repertoire size correlated positively with fledging success independently of pairing success. As suggested for other species, repertoire size might serve as a signal to females of male quality. We suggest mechanisms by which this signalling system is maintained.

Systematics of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) with description of three new species from North American passerines

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2793 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
MACIEJ SKORACKI ◽  
SARAH A. HENDRICKS ◽  
GREG S. SPICER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Host Species ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Host ◽  
Sitta Carolinensis ◽  
Passerina Cyanea ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta ◽  
World Fauna ◽  
New Host Species

Three new species of the genus Syringophilopsis collected from the United States are described and figured: S. certhiae sp. nov. ex Certhia americana Bonaparte (Certhiidae) from California, S. sittae sp. nov. ex Sitta carolinensis Latham (Sittidae) also from California, and S. sturnellus sp. nov. ex Sturnella neglecta Audubon (Icteridae) from Arizona. Additionally, S. passerinae (Clark, 1964) is redescribed based on the material from the type host species, Passerina cyanea (Linnaeus) (Cardinalidae). New host species for S. icteri Bochkov & Mironov, 2001 and S. passerinae are added. The world fauna of Syringophilopsis is summarized and keyed.

scholarly journals Nest-Site Selection Patterns and the Influence of Vegetation on Nest Survival of Mixed-Grass Prairie Passerines

The Condor ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Survival ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Anthus Spragueii ◽  
Para Determinar ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta

Abstract Identification of habitat features influencing reproduction and survival are essential for the management and long-term viability of grassland bird populations. I quantified vegetation structure at nests and random sites in southern Saskatchewan, Canada, to determine which microhabitat features are important in nest-site selection by Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii), Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). In addition, I related microhabitat features to nest survival to determine whether predation might influence their choice of nest sites. Grassland passerines exhibited nonrandom nest-placement patterns and built their nests in sites that were characterized by a greater density of dead vegetation within 30 cm of the ground, increased amounts of litter, and reduced coverage of bare ground. In addition, each species nested in taller vegetation than that found at random sites. However, nests were partitioned along a vegetation gradient ranging from relatively short and sparse (e.g., Chestnut-collared Longspur) to relatively tall and dense (e.g., Western Meadowlark). Nest survival varied with time-specific variables (nest age and date) and year, with nest-site vegetation explaining additional variation not accounted for by these effects. However, vegetation effects were highly variable compared to age effects. Diverse predator communities, spatial and temporal variation in selection pressures, and other constraints may account for inconsistent relationships between nest survival and nest-site characteristics for grassland passerines. Patrones de Selección de Sitios de Nidificación y la Influencia de la Vegetación en la Supervivencia de Nidos de Aves Paserinas de Praderas de Pastos Mixtos Resumen. La identificación de las características del ambiente que influencian la reproducción y la supervivencia son esenciales para el manejo y la viabilidad al largo plazo de las poblaciones de las aves de pastizal. Cuantifiqué la estructura de la vegetación alrededor de los nidos y en sitios aleatorios en el sur de Saskatchewan, Canadá, para determinar cuáles rasgos micro-ambientales son importantes en la selección de nidos por parte de Anthus spragueii, Passerculus sandwichensis, Ammodramus bairdii, Calcarius ornatus y Sturnella neglecta. Adicionalmente, relacioné los rasgos micro-ambientales con la supervivencia de los nidos para determinar si la depredación podría influir sobre la elección de los sitios de nidificación. Las aves paserinas de pastizal mostraron patrones no aleatorios de ubicación de los nidos y construyeron sus nidos en sitios que se caracterizaron por una densidad más alta de vegetación muerta en los primeros 30 cm desde el suelo, una mayor cantidad de hojarasca y una baja cobertura de suelo desnudo. Adicionalmente, cada especie nidificó en sitios con vegetación más alta que la de los sitios elegidos al azar. Sin embargo, los nidos se distribuyeron a lo largo de un gradiente de vegetación desde relativamente corta y esparcida (e.g., Calcarius ornatus) a relativamente alta y densa (e.g., Sturnella neglecta). La supervivencia de los nidos varió en relación con variables que dependen del tiempo (edad del nido y fecha) y del año, mientras que la vegetación de los sitios donde se ubicaron los nidos explicó una parte adicional de la variación no explicada por estos factores. Sin embargo, los efectos de la vegetación fueron muy variables comparados de modo general con los efectos de la edad. Las diferencias en las comunidades de depredadores, la variación espacial y temporal en las presiones de selección y otras limitantes podrían explicar las relaciones inconsistentes entre la supervivencia de los nidos y las características de los sitios de nidificación para las aves paserinas de pastizal.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Davis ◽  
Wesley E. Lanyon
Keyword(s):  
Sturnella Neglecta

scholarly journals Conservation of Grassland Birds in an Urbanizing Landscape: A Historical Perspective

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zach F. Jones ◽  
Carl E. Bock
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Grassland Birds ◽  
Athene Cunicularia ◽  
Passerculus Sandwichensis ◽  
Ammodramus Savannarum ◽  
Dolichonyx Oryzivorus ◽  
Lanius Ludovicianus ◽  
Shortgrass Prairie ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta

Abstract Landscape alterations resulting from urban expansion are among those factors negatively impacting Great Plains grassland birds. The City and County of Boulder, Colorado, manage one of the largest grassland open-space systems in North America, but it is embedded in an area of rapid urban growth. We compared bird count data from the 1980s and 1990s with checklist information about the Boulder grassland avifauna between 1900 and 1937, with the goal of determining what proportion and which species of the historical grassland avifauna are being sustained on Boulder open space. Of 29 native species present in 1900, 22 (76%) appeared on our counts in the 1990s. Formerly common species that disappeared or declined mostly were birds associated with shortgrass prairie, including Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia), Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), and Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys). By contrast, species associated with mixed and tallgrass habitats increased or held steady, including Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus), Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), and Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). We conclude that municipal open spaces can support populations of many Great Plains grassland birds, but that sustaining species associated with the shortgrass prairie may prove especially challenging. Conservación de Aves de Pastizal en un Paisaje de Crecimiento Urbano: Una Perspectiva Histórica Resumen. La alteración del paisaje causada por la expansión urbana es uno de los factores que impacta negativamente a las aves de los pastizales de los “Great Plains.” La ciudad y el condado de Boulder, Colorado, maneja uno de los sistemas de espacios abiertos de pastizal más grande de Norteamérica, el cual se encuentra rodeado por un área de crecimiento urbano. Comparamos datos de conteo de aves de los 1980s y 1990s con informacíon de la avifauna de Boulder entre 1900 y 1937, con el propósito de determinar qué proporción y cuántas especies de las aves de pastizal registradas históricamente se mantuvieron en los espacios abiertos de Boulder. De 29 especies nativas presentes en 1900, 22 (76%) aparecen en nuestros conteos de los 1990s. Especies anteriormente comunes pero que desaparecieron o disminuyeron en cantidad, fueron aves relacionadas principalmente con praderas de pasto corto, incluyendo Athene cunicularia, Chordeiles minor, Lanius ludovicianus y especialmente Calomospiza melanocorys. Por el contrario, especies asociadas a hábitats mixtos o de pasto alto han aumentado o se han mantenido, incluyendo Pooecetes gramineus, Passerculus sandwichensis, Ammodramus savannarum, Dolichonyx oryzivorus y Sturnella neglecta. Concluimos que los espacios abiertos municipales pueden sostener poblaciones de varias especies de aves de pastizal. Sin embargo, será más difícil mantener aquellas especies que prefieren praderas de pasto corto, porque las áreas continuas y amplias que necesitan, ya no existen.

Effects of female pairing status and timing of breeding on nesting productivity in western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta)

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (12) ◽  
pp. 3093-3101 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Dickinson ◽  
J. B. Falls ◽  
J. Kopachena
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Brood Reduction ◽  
Timing Of Breeding ◽  
Middle Portion ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Nesting Ecology ◽  
Aggressive Interactions ◽  
Asynchronous Hatching ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta

The nesting ecology of western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) in southern Manitoba is strongly influenced by the timing of breeding. Physical characteristics of nests change, apparently in response to seasonally altered thermal demands. The largest eggs and the largest clutches are produced in the middle portion of the breeding season, and nests initiated at that time produce the greatest number of young. Nevertheless, nesting productivity is highest for females that begin nesting earlier in the season and that can therefore renest if their initial attempt fails. Females breeding with already-mated males have, on average, as high a reproductive success as do primary females. Nevertheless, nestlings of secondary females frequently starve if they do not receive a male's parental care. Asynchronous hatching and facultative brood reduction may decrease the total losses incurred through nestling starvation, and may be adaptations that allow successful polygyny in this species. Aggressive interactions between resident and unmated females may protect a primary female's "preferred" status and may affect a male's ability to breed bigamously.

scholarly journals Evidence of Songbird Intoxication From Rozol® Application at a Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Colony

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nimish B. Vyas ◽  
Craig S. Hulse ◽  
Carol U. Meteyer ◽  
Clifford P. Rice
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Active Ingredient ◽  
Pectoral Muscle ◽  
Cynomys Ludovicianus ◽  
Prairie Dog ◽  
Anticoagulant Rodenticide ◽  
Secondary Poisoning ◽  
Intestinal Contents ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Sturnella Neglecta

Abstract Concerns about avian poisonings from anticoagulant rodenticides have traditionally focused on secondary poisoning of raptors exposed by feeding on contaminated mammalian prey. However, ground foraging songbirds can be directly poisoned from operational applications of the anticoagulant rodenticide Rozol® (0.005% chlorophacinone, active ingredient) applied as a grain bait, at black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus colonies. A dead western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta recovered from the study prairie dog colony displayed hemorrhaging in brain and pectoral muscle tissue, and it contained chlorophacinone residue concentrations of 0.59 and 0.49 µg/g (wet weight) in the liver and intestinal contents, respectively. Chlorophacinone residues from two Rozol-colored songbird droppings found at the study colony were 0.09 and 0.46 µg/g (wet weight). The timing of the meadowlark mortality and the occurrence of discolored droppings show that songbird exposure and poisoning can occur weeks after a Rozol application.

Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Davis ◽  
Wesley E. Lanyon
Keyword(s):  
Sturnella Neglecta
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