Habitat Requirements of Breeding Scaled Quail in Texas

Abstract

Habitat variables were correlated with scaled quail (Callipep/,a squamata) whistle counts on 133 (24-km) random transects in Texas. Whether or not a particular habitat variable was correlated with whistle counts appeared to depend upon abundance and distribution of other habitat types and structural features. If >= 1 requisite for quail survival and reproduction (food, water, cover, nest sites) was limited, habitat types and structural features were usually positively correlated with whistle counts (P < 0.10). Conversely, abundant habitat types which did not provide all of these requisites were usually negatively correlated with whistle counts (P< 0.10). Correlations indicated breeding scaled quail selected the more dense, shorter shrub habitats. Mesquite (Prosopsis spp.) habitats were especially important to scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos region.

Keywords:

• breeding Keyword: breeding
• Callipepla squamala Keyword: Callipepla squamala
• habitat Keyword: habitat
• scaled quail Keyword: scaled quail
• Texas Keyword: Texas

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