Use of Age-Classes in Monitoring Population Stability of Brown Pelicans
Schreiber RW and Schreiber EA. 1983. Use of Age-Classes in Monitoring Population Stability of Brown Pelicans. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 47(1):105-111
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) population on the west coast of Florida was censused for 8 years. Annual and seasonal fluctuations in total numbers of birds and age-class composition occurred. The population was highest in summer-fall and lowest in fall-winter. Adults were most common during the breeding season. The ratio of immatures to adults reflected productivity in nesting colonies and techniques for gathering accurate data are outlined. Fluctuations in the population were related to temperature, but additional data on food availability are needed to understand the population stability of this species. Total counts of individuals and age-class ratios are useful in determining population stability, but surveys of large geographic areas with sizable numbers of birds are required for accuracy.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Schreiber, Ralph; Schreiber, Elizabeth
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Census, nesting colonies, Pelecanus occidentalis, reproductive biology, seasonal fluctuations