During the first part of March, we conducted our annual spring trapping efforts on the Research Ranch. Over two consecutive weeks, our dedicated staff and volunteers successfully captured, handled (weighed, sexed, aged, marked) and recorded data on 1,267 unique wild birds. Of these, 11% were scaled quail, while the remaining 89% were bobwhite quail, reflecting the species composition on the property.
As part of our ongoing research, we deployed 40 radio collars and 40 GPS backpacks to track the birds’ movements, habitat use, and survival rates. These tracking devices will provide valuable data on how quail navigate their environment, respond to habitat changes, and interact with land management practices.
Additionally, we administered fenbendazole (wormer) to each captured bird through gavage (a direct oral dosing method). This treatment marks the beginning of our medicated feed study, which aims to assess the effectiveness of fenbendazole in reducing parasite loads and its potential impact on quail health, reproduction and survival. – by Mitchell Riggs
