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On the efficiency of using song playback during call count surveys of Red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa)

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Abstract

Successful management practices for declining bird species depend often on long-term surveys acquired by point counts. Despite high standardization of field protocols, uncertain detection probability remains an important source of variability and bias in point-count data. This effect is of main importance in low-responsive species as the Red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), but it can be counterbalanced, increasing detection probability. In this 2-year study, we sampled using traditional point-count methods, followed by playback sessions for each repetition. We measured detection probability and the efficiency of playback for detectability in the context of a feasibility study on long-term point-count surveys for a harvested game bird, the Red-legged partridge. The results for both study years show a distinct increase in detection probability (23% and 45%, respectively) when using playback vs. the traditional point-count method. We also tested our results for heterogeneity, trap dependence, and time dependence, and no effect was detected. Thus, we suggest that the future design of long-term surveys on Red-legged partridges should consider abundance indices using playback sessions.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financed by ONCFS through conventions with FRC-LR and FDC 34. We are grateful to the members of ONCFS and FRC-LR staff, who participated to the field surveys, Laura Dami, Jean-Christian Favas, Jean-Bernard Puchala (ONCFS CNERA PFSP), as well as L. Tatin (Domaines de Listel). In 2009, some regional hunting societies tested our protocol, we are grateful to them. We thank the land owners for allowing the access during our field season.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FRC-LR, 113, avenue Albert Einstein, 34000, Montpellier, France

    Christiane Jakob

  2. CNERA PFSP, ONCFS, Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc, 13200, Arles, France

    Christiane Jakob & Françoise Ponce-Boutin

  3. Laboratoire BEV-EPHE, UMR 5175 CEFE CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier, France

    Aurélien Besnard

  4. ONCFS, Réserve de faune de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France

    Cyril Eraud

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  1. Christiane Jakob
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  2. Françoise Ponce-Boutin
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  3. Aurélien Besnard
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  4. Cyril Eraud
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Correspondence to Christiane Jakob.

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Communicated by C. Gortázar

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Jakob, C., Ponce-Boutin, F., Besnard, A. et al. On the efficiency of using song playback during call count surveys of Red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Eur J Wildl Res 56, 907–913 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0388-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-010-0388-7

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