Population Status and Habitat Associations of the King Rail in the Midwestern United States

Bolenbaugh, Jason R.; Cooper, Thomas R.; Brady, Ryan S.; Willard, Karen L.; Krementz, David G.

doi:10.1675/063.035.0404

Cited by 15 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Alarming declines in abundance (Eddleman, Knopf, Meanley, Reid, & Zembal, 1988) have resulted in the king rail recently being uplisted globally to "Near Threatened" status (Birdlife International). In contrast to recent studies that have focused primarily on nesting habitat and site occupancy during the breeding season (Bolenbaugh, Cooper, Brady, Willard, & Krementz, 2012;Darrah & Krementz, 2009;Valente, King, & Wilson, 2011), our study investigated the intra-and interseasonal movements of king rails at one site on the Atlantic coast. Our approach was to examine habitat use of king rails on an annual cycle, as single-season approaches cannot effectively identify an animal's spatial requirements to the extent necessary for developing conservation plans (Cline & Haig, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird

Kolts

McRae

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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A comprehensive understanding of spatiotemporal ecology is needed to develop conservation strategies for declining species. The king rail (Rallus elegans) is a secretive marsh bird whose range historically extended across the eastern United States. Inland migratory populations have been greatly reduced with most remaining populations inhabiting the coastal margins. Our objectives were to determine the migratory status of breeding king rails on the mid‐Atlantic coast and to characterize home range size, seasonal patterns of movement, and habitat use. Using radiotelemetry, we tracked individual king rails among seasons, and established that at least a segment of this breeding population is resident. Mean (±SE) home range size was 19.8 ± 5.0 ha (95% kernel density) or 2.5 ± 0.9 (50% kernel density). We detected seasonal variation and sex differences in home range size and habitat use. In the nonbreeding season, resident male home ranges coincided essentially with their breeding territories. Overwintering males were more likely than females to be found in natural emergent marsh with a greater area of open water. Females tended to have larger home ranges than males during the nonbreeding season. We report for the first time the use of wooded natural marsh by overwintering females. Brood‐rearing king rails led their young considerable distances away from their nests (average maximum distance: ~600 ± 200 m) and used both wooded natural and impounded marsh. King rails moved between natural marsh and managed impoundments during all life stages, but the proximity of these habitat types particularly benefitted brood‐rearing parents seeking foraging areas with shallower water in proximity to cover. Our results demonstrate the importance of interspersion of habitat types to support resident breeders. Summer draining of impounded wetlands that are seasonally flooded for wintering waterfowl allows regrowth of vegetation and provides additional habitat at a critical time for wading birds.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird

Kolts

McRae

2017

Ecology and Evolution

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“…However, information surrounding abundance and distribution is currently lacking, making informed conservation decisions difficult (Darrah and Krementz 2009;Willard 2011;Bolenbaugh et al 2012;Kahler 2013). Alternative survey methods that better account for, or improve, detectability would improve knowledge needed to make management recommendations for King Rails in this region (Conroy et al 2010).…”

Section: Conservation Interest In King Railsmentioning

confidence: 99%

King Rail (Rallus elegans) Trapping Efficiency and Detection Techniques in Southwestern Lake Erie Coastal Marshes, USA

Shirkey¹,

Simpson²,

Picciuto³

2017

Waterbirds

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“…This is only a starting point-we will improve our decision support tools over time. We will provide copies of King Rail articles by Bolenbaugh et al 2012 andDarrah andKrementz 2009 for your convenience but it is not necessary to consider these articles to complete the data sheet. King Rail occupancy at Clarence Cannon based on available data.…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balancing habitat delivery for breeding marsh birds and nonbreeding waterfowl: An integrated waterbird management and monitoring approach at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri

Loges¹,

Lyons²,

Tavernia³

2017

Open-File Report

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Population Status and Habitat Associations of the King Rail in the Midwestern United States

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird

Seasonal home range dynamics and sex differences in habitat use in a threatened, coastal marsh bird

King Rail (Rallus elegans) Trapping Efficiency and Detection Techniques in Southwestern Lake Erie Coastal Marshes, USA

Balancing habitat delivery for breeding marsh birds and nonbreeding waterfowl: An integrated waterbird management and monitoring approach at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri

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