National Quail Symposium Proceedings
Article Title
Post-Fire Succession and Montezuma Quail in a Semi-Desert Grassland of Southeast Arizona
Abstract
A 1,011.7-ha wildfire occurred in southeast Arizona in May 2009 and provided an opportunity to evaluate pre- and post-fire abundance of and habitat use by Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) through use of flush surveys and radiotelemetry. We evaluated movements of radio-marked quail from 2 months prior to the burn to 12 months post-burn. We observed strong site fidelity with coveys persisting in small patches of unburned areas and micro-topography, despite extensive reduction in cover in the surrounding landscape. We documented 46.7% reduction in abundance using flush counts within the first 2 weeks post-fire, and 66.7% reduction within 3 weeks post-fire. We also documented roosting within a fire-affected area and successful nesting by Montezuma quail a few months following a wildfire.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7290/nqsp07oies
Recommended Citation
Chavarria, Pedro M.; Silvy, Nova J.; Lopez, Roel R.; Hass, Christine; and Kennedy, Linda
(2012)
"Post-Fire Succession and Montezuma Quail in a Semi-Desert Grassland of Southeast Arizona,"
National Quail Symposium Proceedings: Vol. 7
, Article 123.
https://doi.org/10.7290/nqsp07oies
Available at:
https://trace.tennessee.edu/nqsp/vol7/iss1/123