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

1. A Study of Band-tailed Pigeons (Columba fasciata) in Southeastern Arizona Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit University of Arizona

2. Map credit: USGS Breeding Bird Survey

4. Adult Female Adult Male Hatch Year (Sex Unknown)

5. Vocalizations • Coo calls • Chirps • Grunts • Wing clap Photo credit: Peter Latourrette www.birdphotography.com

6. Habitat

7. 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

8. 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

9. Nest Sites Santa Catalina Mountains 8,130’ Santa Catalina Mountains 8,830’ Chiricahua Mountains 5,630’

11. 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

12. Harvest returns in Arizona

13. Potential Threats • Over-harvest • Disease • Modification or loss of habitat • Pesticides

14. 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

15. 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

16. Study Objectives (Secondary) • Estimate reproductive success • Measure habitat characteristics at nests • Measure habitat characteristics at foraging sites

17. Study Area Map credit: Bruce Walsh, University of Arizona

18. Survey Techniques Evaluated 1) Auditory surveys (6-min) 2) Auditory surveys (20-min) 3) Call-broadcast surveys 4) Mark/recapture 5) Counts at baited sites

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Radio Tracking

23. Preliminary Results • Pigeons detected on 88% of survey routes • Average of < 1 pigeon per survey • Short duration auditory surveys more effective

24. 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

25. 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

26. Project Funded by: • Arizona Game and Fish Heritage Fund • Webless Migratory Game Bird Program • United States Geological Survey • University of Arizona

27. 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”