The impact of wetland loss and current wetland management on migratory rails during the autumn migration is unknown though encountering a largely dry landscape during the autumn season probably inhibits habitat use, density and survival. Little is known about habitat selection of Sora (Porzana carolina), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) and King Rails (Rallus elegans) in the Mississippi Flyway. Further, I know nothing about how flooding and habitat management affects migrating rails during autumn migration. To answer these questions and inform future research on rail survival, I conducted standardized distance sampling surveys across 10 state and federal wetland properties in Missouri, USA from 2012-2015 during autumn migration to estimate density and habitat selection for these three species.
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Report
Program
Species