1. Nest-site selection and nesting success of band-tailed pigeons Nest-site selection and nesting success of band-tailed pigeons Katie Hughes 1, Chris Kirkpatrick 1, Courtney J. Conway 1, and Jim deVos 2 1 Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 86721; 2 Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ 85023 New Mexico Mexico Tucson Santa Catalinas Chiricahuas STUDY AREA Introduction Enormous flocks (Bendire 1892) of band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) are no longer observed and numbers have declined >3% per year since 1966 (Peterjohn et al. 1995). Band-tailed pigeons are considered game birds in most states, yet annual estimates of both hunter participation and number of pigeons harvested decreased by 87% between 1970 and 1996 (Pacific Flyway Study Committee 2001). Consequently, the band-tailed pigeon has been identified as a priority species for conservation at both the state (Latta et al. 1999) and national (National Audubon Society 2002) level. More information on the breeding biology and habitat needs of band-tailed pigeons are necessary to effectively determine the underlying causes of observed population declines (Fitzhugh 1970, Braun 1994). Questions Where do band-tailed pigeons nest? Do vegetative features differ surrounding successful vs unsuccessful nests? Does low reproductive success explain the declines? Results We radio-marked 32 males and 18 females and located 12 nests. During aerial surveys, we found 3 males up to 105 km from where they were trapped. Arizona Methods Management Considerations and Future Research Nests were more successful in burned areas (P < 0.019). Areas around successful nests contained more snags than areas around unsuccessful nests (P = 0.028). Additional studies are needed to further clarify the preferred nest-site characteristics of band-tailed pigeons, identify what factors are responsible for population declines, and what factors contribute to the low nesting success observed during this study. Acknowledgments Project Funded by: Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Heritage Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Webless Migratory Game Bird Program, United States Geological Survey, University of Arizona,T&E Inc. Aerial radio tracking: Thory Smith, Jim Heffelfinger, Sandy Lanham. Coronado National Forest. Assistance with field work: Clait Braun, Dave Fox, Eduardo Martinez-Leyva, Eric Nolte, Chuck Seal, Dominic LaRoche, Greg Gryniewicz, Kristin Hemmelgarn, Chris Murray, Julie Warr. Landowners: Mike Cooper, Linda Currin, Mike Stanley, Arthur Faul, Debbie Fagan, Susan Bensen Literature Cited Literature Cited Bendire, C. E. 1892. Life histories of North American birds with special reference to their breeding habits and eggs. U. S. Natural History Museum Special Bulletin 1. Washington D.C. Braun, C. E. 1994. Band-tailed pigeon. Pages 61-74 in T. C. Tacha, andC. E. Braun editors. Migratory Shore and Upland Game Bird Management in North America. Allen Press Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A. Fitzhugh, E. L. 1970. Literature review and bibliography of the band-tailed pigeon of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Arizona Game and Fish Commission Special Report, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Latta, M. J., C. J. Beardmore, and T. E. Corman. 1999. Arizona Partners in Flight bird conservation plan. Version 1.0. Arizona Game and Fish Department Technical Report 142, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Mayfield, H. 1961. Nesting success calculated from exposure. Wilson Bulletin 73:255-261. National Audubon Society. 2002. Audubon Watchlist. Accessed 9 May 2006. Pacific Flyway Study Committee and Central Flyway Webless Migratory Game Bird Technical Committee. 2001. Pacific and central flyways management plan for the Four Corners population of band-tailed pigeons. Pacific Flyway Council, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland, Oregon. Peterjohn, B. G., J. R. Sauer, S. Orsillo. 1995. Breeding bird survey: population trends 1966-92. In Our living resources: a report to the nation on the distribution, abundance, and health of U.S. plants, animals, and ecosystems (LaRoe, E. T., G. S. Farris, C. E. Puckett, P. D. Doran, and M. J. Mac, Eds.). U.S. Department of the Interior, National Biological Service, Washington, D.C. We measured 13 features associated directly with nests. We also measured 11 landscape and vegetation features within a 25-m radius of each band- tailed pigeon nest and at 30 randomly selected points located within the Santa Catalina Mountains. We used the Mayfield method (Mayfield 1961) to calculate daily survival probability and overall nesting success for band- tailed pigeons. We used t-tests, Watson’s U 2, and stepwise logistic regression to determine which characteristics best distinguish nest sites from random sites, and successful vs. unsuccessful nests. (n = 11)