Disease and Habitat Change as Factors Associated with Mourning Dove Population Decline

Author

William D. Ostrand, Utah State University

Date of Award:

5-1995

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Department name when degree awarded

Fisheries and Wildlife

Committee Chair(s)

John A. Bissonette

Committee

John A. Bissonette

Committee

Michael R. Conover

Committee

James A. Gessaman

Abstract

The western mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) population has been declining since 1966. Data collected in 1951-52, in Fillmore, Utah, provided us a baseline for comparison with our study in the same area. Our approach was to determine whether a local population decline had occurred since the original data were collected, assess if trichomoniasis has impacted the local population, determine if changes in habitat structure affect foraging site selection, quantify changes in habitat, identify which habitats doves preferred, ascertain whether doves had responded to habitat change by changing food habits, and assess if changes in habitat were responsible in part for the local population decline. We found that population counts declined 72% and 82% from 1952 to 1992 and 1993, respectively. We determined that trichomoniasis was not an factor. in the decline. We observed that doves preferred foraging habitat characterized by a short and open structure and will not forage in the taller, denser vegetation that now dominates the study area. The most dramatic change in habitat was an 82% decline of land in winter wheat production. In 1951-52 and 1992-93, doves consumed wheat in greater frequency and volume than any other food item. Habitats selected for foraging were wheat fields following harvest, feedpens, hay storage yards, and weedy patches. Of these habitats, area in wheat fields and number of feedpens had changed extensively. The decline in wheat availability, either at harvested fields or feedpens, appears to have contributed to the local population decline. We used regression analysis to test the statewide relationship between the decline in the mourning dove population index, area in winter wheat production, and the number of farms with cattle and obtained significant results (R² = .42, P = 0.001).

Checksum

b890358373cae05ac78d2f977bf762a0

Recommended Citation

Ostrand, William D., "Disease and Habitat Change as Factors Associated with Mourning Dove Population Decline" (1995). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 6516.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6516