Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Fournier, Auriel M.V.

Committee Member

Roberts, Caleb P.

Second Committee Member

Naithani, Kusum J.

Keywords

habitat; king rails; multispecies management; nesting ecology; wetland birds

Abstract

King Rails (Rallus elegans) are a secretive marsh bird species of conservation concern in Arkansas. Freddie Black Choctaw West WMA in southeast Arkansas has multiple confirmed pairs of breeding King Rails and offered an opportunity to investigate King Rail migration ecology, as well as nesting ecology and nest site selection. In Chapter 1, we determined migratory status (resident vs. migratory) and described seasonal movement. To do this, we captured and outfitted 23 birds with Argos GPS tags to track migration patterns throughout the season. We found that most of the population did not make long distance migrations but instead were residents year-round. We examined monthly movements on the landscape to determine how their movement changed seasonally to help understand how management impacts their use of habitat. In Chapter 2, we investigated nest site selection relative to the habitat available across the Wildlife Management Area, in a used versus available habitat framework. To do this, we performed habitat surveys at confirmed nest sites and random points throughout the WMA to assess what characteristics are significant to King Rails. We ran generalized linear models to see what rails select for in a used versus available habitat framework. King Rails selected for nest sites that had higher average vegetation density and percent of rush cover. From this research, we corroborated that heterogeneous habitat is important for both the breeding and movement ecology of this species and recommend management that promotes diverse habitats that support these birds year-round.

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