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Lindsey_Gabi_Thesis.pdf (9.19 MB)

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Habitat use of Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) in Southern Ohio

Lindsey, Gabriella Ann
http://orcid.org/0009-0002-0369-2308
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714060526568509

Abstract Details

2024, Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, Environmental Studies.
Grassland birds have narrow habitat requirements that are influenced by food availability, habitat composition, and habitat structure. Because survival is influenced by habitat quality and availability, understanding habitat requirements is critical for conservation. I determined how Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) use grassland habitat in the breeding season. In the past 10 years, technology advancements have allowed researchers to study the habitat use and movement ecology of understudied birds, such as grassland birds. I deployed nanotags on 47 adult Henslow’s Sparrows at two sites in southern Ohio to determine home range size and habitat use in relation to distance to edge and shrub, as well as the post-breeding dispersal and migratory timing. I predicted that Henslow’s Sparrows would use core grassland habitat and avoid edge and shrubs. I found no difference in 95 % home range size between female (0.10 ± 0.03 ha) and male (0.32 ± 0.18 ha) Henslow’s Sparrows. Henslow’s Sparrows used shrubs when available and edge habitat as refugia after disturbance. I also found that Henslow’s Sparrows use fields into August, past dates typically recommended for disturbance (e.g., mid to late July), which suggests the need to leave corridors and patches for refugia after management such as mowing or burning. I determined the fall migratory departure timing of 13 Henslow’s Sparrows. I found that Henslow’s Sparrows are at risk for entanglement which resulted in mortality of two birds. A third bird found entangled was found alive, entangled in vegetation, and was released after I removed the nanotag. I also found that 24 Henslow’s Sparrows were able to remove nanotags and several damaged their nanotags. While I do not recommend the use of nanotags on this species in future studies, my study did result in determining fall migratory departure timing of Henslow’s Sparrows in Ohio which was previously unknown.
Kelly Williams (Advisor)
97 p.
Animals; Biology; Ecology; Environmental Studies; Organismal Biology; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management; Zoology
Conservation; edge; entanglement; grassland birds; habitat use; Henslow’s Sparrow; home range; management,; migration; radio tag

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lindsey, G. A. (2024). Habitat use of Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) in Southern Ohio [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714060526568509

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lindsey, Gabriella. Habitat use of Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) in Southern Ohio. 2024. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714060526568509.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lindsey, Gabriella. "Habitat use of Henslow’s Sparrows (Centronyx henslowii) in Southern Ohio." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1714060526568509

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1714060526568509
101
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.