Disturbance and the survival of female ring-necked pheasants in Illinois

There is little knowledge of how disturbances affect the behavior and survi val of pheasants in agricultural landscapes of the Midwest. Thus, we studie d the survival of 81 female ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Ford County, eastcentral Illinois, from 1989-94. Among the most intensively cropped regions of North America, the study area averaged 93% row crops (c orn and soybeans, in equal proportion). We monitored the numbers of extende d movements by hens associated with farm operations, hunting, weather, and other causes. The average number of extended movements observed per bird (3 .5 +/- 0.4) was not different for adults and juveniles. Using the Kaplan-Me ier product-limit estimator of survival, the longevity of hens with more th an the median number of extended movements was greater (330 +/- 37 days) th an hens with less than the median number of extended movements (115 +/- 15 days). Hens exhibiting disturbance-avoidance behavior associated with exten ded movements coped relatively well with hazards, except during nesting. Ou r findings underscore the importance of movement as a survival mechanism in a hazardous landscape with marginally suitable habitat.