Breeding season dynamics and spatial characteristics of scaled and Gambel's quail in a desert shrubland , Trans-Pecos, Texas

I investigated breeding season survival and home ranges of adult female scaled (Callipepla squamata) and Gambel's quail ( Callipepla gambelii) in the eastern Chihuahuan Desert. Information regarding survival and cause-specific mortality of scaled quail and Gambel's quail is vital to their management, especially where these 2 species occur sympatrically. I used radio telemetry to investigate survival, cause-specific mortality, nest site selection, and nest success of adult female scaled and Gambel's quail during the 2012 and 2013 breeding seasons (1 Apr-1 Sep) in west Texas. I estimated breeding season survival using the Kaplan-Meier staggered entry design equation (Pollock et al. 1989). Mean and 95% CL of 2012 scaled and Gambel's quail breeding season survival rates were 0.78 +/- 0.09 and 0.87 +/- 0.10, respectively. Mean and 95% CL of 2013 scaled and Gambel's quail breeding season survival rates were 0.70 +/- 0.10 and 0.70 +/- 0.10, respectively. Mean +/- SD breeding season home ranges (95% fixed kernel) for scaled quail was 145.02 +/- 23.56 ha (range: 22.03-538.24 ha) and 156.32 +/- 13.04 ha (range: 66.15-270.74 ha) for Gambel's quail. Mean +/- SD core use areas (50 % fixed kernel) for scaled quail was 31.38 +/- 4.80 ha (range: 4.03-111.36 ha) and 32.87 +/- 2.61 ha (range: 12.19-52.36) ha for Gambel's quail. I also found evidence of overlap in the home ranges of neighboring females in both species. I monitored 28 nests (17 scaled and 12 Gambel's) over 2 nesting seasons. Nest survival estimates were 72.5% and 89% for scaled and Gambel's quail, respectively. Both species of quail favored sotol (Dasylirion texanum) for their nest site selection in both years. The spatial and life history data reported herein will help resource managers better understand Gambel's and scaled quail throughout their range.