Population Characteristics of Alaskan Spruce Grouse
Ellison LN. 1974. Population Characteristics of Alaskan Spruce Grouse. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 38(3):383-395
Population data obtained for spruce grouse (Canachites canadensis during 5 years on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, indicated that spring densities varied between 20 and 30 birds per square mile (259 ha). Average clutch size was 7.5 eggs; average brood size in August was 5.5 juveniles. Late summer densities were probably 60 to 100 birds per square mile (259 ha). About 60 to 70 percent of the late summer population either died or emigrated before the next summer. Hunting along roads in autumn removed about 13 percent of grouse that had been banded within 2 miles (3.2 km) of roads in summer or early fall. Predation by raptors was the proximate cause of death among most of the grouse known to have died between fall and the succeeding summer. Aspergillus infections may have predisposed some individuals to death by predation.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ellison, Laurence
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Abundance, Aspergillus, Birds, Canachites canadensis, Distribution, Falcipennis canadensis, Grouse, Kenai Peninsula, Population Ecology