Territoriality in Alaskan Spruce Grouse

Ellison, Laurence

Studies of territoriality among male Spruce Grouse were made on the Kenai Peninsula, south-central Alaska, from 1965 to 1967. Data on movements and behavior were obtained during the breeding season by instrumenting 14 males with radio transmitters. During late April and the first 3 weeks of May, all adult males were localized on parcels of forest 5 to 9 acres in size. Some juvenile males (presumed to be territorial) remained on plots 3 to 21 acres in extent during the breeding season, but other juveniles were not localized and wandered extensively about an activity center, sometimes ranging out a mile from the activity center within a 24-hour period. During these excursions, the wandering juveniles were often found drumming with other males. Presumed activity centers of juvenile males ranged in size from 7 to 16 acres. Censuses on a 2-square-mile plot during the period males were localized in late April and May suggested a density of 10 males per square mile in 1965 and 1966, and 7 per square mile in 1967. Territoriality among males in spring is probably not a population regulating mechanism. Territories apparently serve only as mating sites and hens do not nest, feed, or rear their broods on male territories.

Territoriality in Alaskan Spruce Grouse

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