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Migration patterns and movements of sandhill cranes wintering in central and southwestern Louisiana

Sammy L. King·Aaron R. Pierce·Kent Hersey·Nicholas Winstead
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Abstract

In this study we trapped wintering sandhill cranes ( Grus canadensis ) in Louisiana and fitted them with satellite transmitters to determine their migration routes. Four of the 6 sandhill cranes with validated locations and a terminus point used the Central Flyway for spring migration; 2 of these 4 (the only 2 for which we have data) also used the Central Flyway for fall migration. Two of the 6 birds used the Mississippi Flyway for spring migration. The results of this study suggest that reintroduced whooping cranes ( G. americana ) that intermix and migrate with sandhill cranes that winter in Louisiana may enter the Central Flyway. In addition, the Mississippi Flyway is a viable option to use as a migration route for whooping cranes if they are reintroduced in Louisiana.

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Sammy L. King, Aaron R. Pierce, Kent Hersey, Nicholas Winstead. 2010. Migration patterns and movements of sandhill cranes wintering in central and southwestern Louisiana. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70154984

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