Demographics of Black Vultures in North Carolina

Understanding the contributions of vital rates to species population growth is critical to developing new management protocols. We constructed a model population for black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in North Carolina, USA, based on demographic data from a 14-year study. The model population was sim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of wildlife management 2007-08, Vol.71 (6), p.1976-1979
Main Authors: BLACKWELL, BRADLEY F, AVERY, MICHAEL L, WATTS, BRYAN D, LOWNEY, MARTIN S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
age structure
Agricultural management
Animal behavior
Aviculture
Birds
Birds of prey
black vulture
Breeding
Breeding Bird Survey
Censuses
Ciconiiformes
Coragyps atratus
Demographics
Demography
Depopulation
Fertility
human-wildlife conflicts
Management
matrix population model
mortality
population demographics
Population density
Population growth
Population growth rate
population models
population structure
Research Notes
species management
vital rates
wild birds
Wildlife management
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Summary:Understanding the contributions of vital rates to species population growth is critical to developing new management protocols. We constructed a model population for black vultures (Coragyps atratus) in North Carolina, USA, based on demographic data from a 14-year study. The model population was similar in stage structure to the reference population, and adult survival was the primary contributor to the annual rate of increase (10.6%). We suggest that the North Carolina black vulture population is experiencing high rates of survival and fertility, potentially breeding at an age younger than previously assumed, and growing rapidly.
ISSN:0022-541X
1937-2817
DOI:10.2193/2006-146