Abstract
This study was conducted to augment the limited information available regarding the Snowy Egret in the Utah Lake area of Utah. Field observations included the following: nesting habits; egg and clutch sizes; sexual, defense, and feeding behaviors. Analysis was made of the distinguishing subspecies characteristics (culmen, tarsus, and wing length) of the Snowy Egrets and of the distribution of the birds. Field observations showed that growth measurements of the young varied from 16.75 g at hatching to 260.58 g after 17 days. Culmen and tarsus measurements were 15.41 mm and 14.12 mm to 53.18 mm and 62.18 mm, respectively, after 17 days. The average clutch size was 2.93 eggs per clutch. The average egg measured 43.85 mm by 32.44 mm. Hatching success was 50.85% in the two major periods of hatching noted. The lack of distinct lines of differentiation between existing subspecies leads the author to question the validity of the current subspecies designations.
Degree
MS
College and Department
Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Rights
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Gunnell, Gerald Leigh, "The snowy egret (Egretta thula Brewsteri) a life history study at Utah Lake with comments on the subspecies status" (1976). Theses and Dissertations. 7939.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7939
Date Submitted
1976-08-30
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/Letd183
Keywords
Herons; Zoology, Utah; Utah Lake (Utah)
Language
English