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Citation:
Gordon, N. M., D. P. Bolt, and H. L. Thompson. 2022. Vigilance of nesting whooping cranes in Juneau County, Wisconsin. Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop 15:81-89.
Abstract:
Vigilance plays an important role in the detection of possible threats and reducing the risk of predation, including
during the incubation period. We examined the visual vigilance of incubating whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Juneau
County, Wisconsin, during the 2019 nesting season. We deployed 9 trail cameras and tagged crane presence and behavior in
32,801 photos which were used in our analysis. We assessed individual nest and environmental variables and their effects on
vigilant behavior of incubating cranes using linear mixed-models. Vigilant behavior was defined by a posture in which the
crane’s head was up, neck was erect, and bill was horizontal to the ground. Nesting whooping cranes were less vigilant during
the night (x̄ = 14.3 ± 1.4% [SE]) than during the day (25.0 ± 0.7%), and cranes were less vigilant during precipitation events.
Cranes nesting closer to closed forest were 11-12% less vigilant than those nesting at medium or far distances from forest.
Lastly, cranes nesting in medium-sized wetlands were 4-5% more vigilant than cranes in small or large wetlands. Further
research to determine if levels of vigilance affect nest success could help increase productivity for this population.
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© 2022 North American Crane Working Group
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