Visible and thermal images acquired from drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) have substantially improved animal monitoring. Combining complementary information both image types provides a powerful approach for automating detection classification of multiple species to augment drone surveys. We compared eight fusion methods using visible combined with two supervised deep learning models, evaluate the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), domestic cow (Bos taurus), horse (Equus...

Small unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) are replacing or supplementing occupied and ground-based surveys in animal monitoring due to improved sensors, efficiency, costs, logistical benefits. Numerous UAS sensors available have been used various methods. However, justification for selection methods not typically offered published literature. Furthermore, existing reviews do adequately cover past current applications monitoring, nor their associated UAS/sensor characteristics environmental...

<title>Abstract</title> Tidal marsh birds across the northern Gulf of Mexico are subject to numerous natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Despite many species concern inhabiting area, baseline population estimates lacking which prohibit effective tidal conservation planning. Thus, we generated determined landscape associations at local broad scales for Clapper Rails (<italic>Rallus crepitans</italic>), gallinules (<italic>Gallinula galeata</italic> <italic>Porphyrio martinicus</italic>),...

Abstract Surveying animal populations using drones (unoccupied aircraft systems [UAS]) provides numerous advantages; however, few best practices exist to survey communities with drones. Among myriad factors that can affect human identification and counts of animals from drone images, we focused on three typically controlled in the study design or by pilot: flight altitude, camera angle, time day. Identifying interactions patterns among these variables represents an important first step...

Abstract The presence and abundance of Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus often relies on imprecise methods (e.g. fall covey counts), which can lead to inaccurate estimates resulting in poor management practices. Drones equipped with thermal sensors have proven beneficial for monitoring wildlife but still require sufficient field validation regarding precision. We tested the application drones locating counting Mississippi, USA. conducted flights over known locations representing three...

Drones are becoming a common tool for animal monitoring; however, sound emitted from drones may disturb animals and bias survey results. Understanding noise levels produced by different flight maneuvers, altitudes (i.e., above ground level (AGL)), drone models could mitigate disturbance during surveys. We measured maximum (dB) three maneuvers (hovering, flyover, turning) among eight AGLs (15–120 m) two vertical (ascending descending) four commercially available quadcopter (DJI Matrice 300,...

Drones (unoccupied aircraft systems) have become effective tools for wildlife monitoring and conservation. Automated animal detection classification using artificial intelligence (AI) can substantially reduce logistical financial costs improve drone surveys. However, the lack of annotated imagery training AI is a critical bottleneck in achieving accurate performance algorithms compared to other fields. To bridge this gap help advance standardize automated classification, we created Aerial...

Scavenging is critical for nutrient cycling and maintenance of healthy ecosystems. While there substantial research into the identification taphonomic signatures from facultative mammalian scavengers, early stage scavenging by vultures remain unknown. Further, some vulture species are opportunistic predators, highlighting need to define observed in course normal behavior. We placed stillborn neonatal calves an unoccupied pasture used motion-trigger camera traps quantify effort, then...

ABSTRACT Interference competition occurs when an individual prohibits another’s access to a resource through antagonistic interactions. Despite considerable research on scavenger interactions at carrion, the limited evidence for competitive between Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey (Cathartes aura) relies upon frequency of without considering other forms competition. Using remote cameras, we recorded duration aggression, scavenging, vigilance behaviors exhibited by scavenging...

Abstract Habitat loss can alter animal movements and disrupt seed dispersal mutualisms; however, its effects on spatial patterns of are not well understood. To explore the habitat distances dispersion (aggregation), we created a spatially explicit, individual‐based model an dispersing seeds ( SEADS —Spatially Explicit Animal Dispersal Seeds) in theoretical landscape 0%–90% based three traits: movement distance, gut retention time, time between movements. Our design had objectives: to...

Understanding habitat selection of top predators is critical to predict their impacts on ecological communities and interactions with humans, particularly in recovering populations. We analyzed a population bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) south-central Indiana using Random Forest model. predicted that would select forest edges but avoid agriculture maximize encounters prey species. also developed areas roads minimize potential antagonistic humans. Results partially supported our predictions were...

Abstract Rapid advancements in technology often yield research inquiry into novel applications and drone (i.e., unoccupied aircraft systems or UAS) wildlife management are no exception. We questioned the time lag between drone‐related end‐user assessments. implemented an online, cross‐sectional survey of professionals to better understand current use benefits concerns, complemented by a review contemporary peer‐reviewed gray literature. found little disparity scientific experiences similar...

Abstract During a limited period in the summer of 2021, 17-year cicada species (Magicicada cassini, M. septendecula, septendecim) represented large pulse easily accessible food unique to forest ecosystems eastern United States. Using trail cameras and acoustic recorders, we tested whether activity levels 8 mammal northwestern Indiana shifted response spatial temporal variation densities from 18 May 20 June 2021. Cicada varied temporally spatially across all study sites. Most with sufficient...

ABSTRACT Gape morphology has been linked to feeding and breeding ecology in raptors, according the ingestion rate hypothesis. Mammal raptors have larger gapes, allowing them ingest prey more rapidly than bird feeders, which evolved smaller average body sizes gapes capture agile prey. One highly derived raptor, however, Bat Hawk ( Macheiramphus alcinus ), specializes on colonial bats swiftlets concentrated daily a limited temporal window by capturing swallowing whole flight. We hypothesized...

Abstract Negative economic impacts resulting from wildlife disrupting livestock operations through depredation of stock are a cause human‐wildlife conflict. Management such conflict requires identifying environmental and non‐environmental factors specific to species' biology ecology that influence the potential for occur. Identification can improve understanding conditions placing at risk. Black vultures ( Coragyps atratus ) have expanded their historical range northward into midwestern...

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can improve detection and count accuracy of avian species provide an inexpensive alternative to surveying waterbirds compared ground counts other methods. To validate this method for colonial in logistically challenging areas, we from images collected with a fixed-wing UAV using marked-subsample or direct at three study sites: 1) open field decoys that represented waterbird species; 2) constructed platforms swamp nesting Great Egrets (Ardea alba); 3) island...

According to the structural‐function hypothesis, eggshell pigment protoporphyrin, deposited at weak spots, can strengthen shell structure when calcium is lacking in avian species. However, this hypothesis has not been tested species that produce pigmented eggs of uniform ground colour without spotting patterns. We using 435 produced on seven diets (0.2–4.5%) given Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus , a produces large number low‐calcium diet with unspotted eggshells composed mainly...

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) populations have increased in the midwestern U.S. since 1980s after substantial declines and local extirpations into mid-1900s. We monitored 38 radio-collared bobcats (25 males, 13 females) from 1998 to 2006 a recovering population south-central Indiana investigate survival mortality causes. Annual was high (Ŝ = 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.89), comparable results other studies of unexploited higher than harvested populations. Of 17 known deaths, vehicle collisions were largest...

Ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are able to store dietary calcium as medullary bone, which they may mobilize for future eggshell synthesis. We define this mechanism calcium-loading. Previous experiments on conducted document the importance of in limiting distribution did not account hypothesized that calcium-loading could override experimental treatments diet. measured egg production, characteristics, and femoral mineral content were calcium-loaded 7 diets differing from 0.2%...

Abstract: Ring‐necked pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus ) are able to store dietary calcium as medullary bone, which they may mobilize for future eggshell synthesis. We define this mechanism calcium‐loading. Previous experiments on conducted document the importance of in limiting distribution did not account hypothesized that calcium‐loading could override experimental treatments diet. measured egg production, characteristics, and femoral mineral content were calcium‐loaded 7 diets differing...

Abstract Feeding morphology permits animals to adapt changing environments and is often under strong selection. We evaluated if bill shape varies according differences in dietary prey taken across geographical ranges (North America, Central South Caribbean islands) a ubiquitous, New World raptor species, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Specifically, we predicted that bills geographies where kestrels consumed larger proportion of vertebrates would be shorter wider, with tomial tooth....