HABITAT SELECTION MODELING FOR NORTHERN BOBWHITES ON SUBTROPICAL RANGELAND

Knowledge of habitat preference-avoidance behavior by a wildlife speci es provides a theoretical background for habitat management decisions. We studied habitat selection by northern bobwhites (Colinus virginian us) on subtropical rangeland in Texas during 1994-95 and developed a c ontinuous selection function for describing preference-avoidance behav ior. Our results validated use of canopy coverage by woody and herbace ous vegetation and exposure of bare ground in habitat modeling for bob whites. Bobwhites were not sensitive to dry mass of herbaceous vegetat ion in the landscape we studied. The birds seemed sensitive to cover s creening based on indices of exposure to ground and aerial predators. Continuous selection functions provide a means of prioritizing habitat management needs on an area. Managers should consider probability dis tributions of habitat features in space and time to develop sound habi tat management programs.