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Developing Research Tools for Demographic Study of Rhynchophanes mccownii (Thick-billed Longspurs)

Open-File Report 2025-1002
Species Management Research Program
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
By: , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20251002

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Abstract

Like numerous other North American grassland bird species, Rhynchophanes mccownii (thick-billed longspur) has experienced severe population declines in the last 50 years. Little is known about population-limiting factors, and knowledge gaps limit conservation efforts on the species; however, before research studies aimed at improving conservation and management actions can be developed, other research must resolve notable knowledge gaps that exist in field techniques for efficient and effective large-scale demographic studies. We examined several techniques for the capture, marking (metal, color bands, and transmitters), and reencountering (resights and telemetry) of thick-billed longspurs in croplands and prairies in Valley County, Montana, during the 2022 and 2023 breeding seasons. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of obtaining within- and between-season resights of individual thick-billed longspurs using optical equipment and cameras, transmitter receivers, and the Motus automatic receiving station network. This report includes observations and insights that may aid researchers embarking on future demographic studies of thick-billed longspurs, as well as other grassland birds that provide similar research challenges.

Suggested Citation

Ring, M.M., Swift, R.J., Anteau, M.J., Igl, L.D., Seamans, M.E., Somershoe, S.G., VonBank, J.A., Yeiser, J.M., and MacDonald, G.J., 2025, Developing research tools for demographic study of Rhynchophanes mccownii (thick-billed longspurs): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2025–1002, 33 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20251002.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Study Species
  • Field Efforts
  • Interannual Habitat Variability
  • Conclusions
  • Summary
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Capture Methods for Rhynchophanes mccownii (Thick-billed Longspurs)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Developing research tools for demographic study of Rhynchophanes mccownii (thick-billed longspurs)
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2025-1002
DOI 10.3133/ofr20251002
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Description viii, 33 p.
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details