Nesting and brood-rearing characteristics of Chukars in west central Idaho

Authors

Andrew J. Lindbloom, University of Idaho, Moscow
Kerry P. Reese, University of Idaho, Moscow
Peter Zager, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Lewiston, Idaho

Abstract

We analyzed attributes from 23 nests (10 renests) and 46 brood locations of radio-marked Chukars (Alectoris chukar) in the lower Salmon River canyon of west central Idaho in 1995 and 1996. Nesting effort was 100%, apparent nest success was 45%, and estimated time from destruction or abandonment of a nest to initiation of laying a subsequent nest averaged 13 ± 5 days s_x. Average clutch size for 1st nests (14.5 ± 1.0) was greater (P = 0.017) than renests (10.4 ± 1.1). Cover types used by nesting Chukars included grass/forb (48% of nests), rock (43%), and shrub (9%), whereas the most common structure used for nests was rock outcrop (57%). Chukars did not use yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) habitats differently from what was expected (P = 0.08) for nesting, but birds with broods selected areas with less starthistle (P < 0.001). Chukar broods, which averaged 12.0 ± 1.1 chicks, used shrub and grass/forb cover types approximately equally (43% and 47% of locations, respectively) but rock habitats infrequently (11%).

Recommended Citation

Lindbloom, Andrew J.; Reese, Kerry P.; and Zager, Peter (2003) "Nesting and brood-rearing characteristics of Chukars in west central Idaho," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 63: No. 4, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol63/iss4/3