ATTWATER’S PRAIRIE-CHICKEN 

(Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) 

 RECOVERY PLAN 

Second Revision 

 Photo by George Levandoski. 

Southwest Region 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 Albuquerque, New Mexico 

DISCLAIMER 

Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions believed necessary to recover and/or protect listed 

species. Plans are published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), sometimes 

prepared with the assistance of recovery teams, contractors, State agencies, and others. 

Objectives will be attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary 

constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Nothing 

in this plan should be construed as a commitment or requirement that any Federal agency 

obligate or pay funds in contravention of the Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341, or any other 

law or regulation. Recovery plans do not necessarily represent the views nor the official position 

or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than the 

USFWS. They represent the official position of USFWS only after they have been signed by the 

Regional Director. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new 

findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery actions. 

LITERATURE CITATION SHOULD READ AS FOLLOWS:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2010. Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Recovery Plan, Second 

Revision. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM: 

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge 

P.O. Box 519 

Eagle Lake, Texas 77434 

Or 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Southwest Region 

500 Gold Avenue S.W. 

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 

Or 

Downloaded from: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Library/ 

ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

Principal authors of this document were Dr. Jim Bergan, Dr. Mike Morrow, and Terry Rossignol. 

Dr. Jeff Johnson provided feedback and expanded discussion of genetic issues. Dr. Wade 

Harrell and Tim Anderson provided data for updating maps that were developed by Donna 

Roach and T. J. Shultz. The document was reviewed and edited by Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken 

Recovery Team members. Wendy Brown and Kathy Granillo provided initial agency review of 

the document for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Recovery Team members provided overall 

recovery objectives and strategies. Members included Hannah Bailey (Houston Zoo, Inc.), Dr. 

Jim Bergan (The Nature Conservancy of Texas), Dr. Wade Harrell (The Nature Conservancy of 

Texas), Royce Jurries (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), Bobby McCan (McCan Ranch), 

Dr. Mike Morrow (Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge), Dr. Brent Ortego (Texas 

Parks and Wildlife Department), Stan Reinke (retired from U.S. Natural Resources Conservation 

Service), Terry Rossignol (Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge), Dr. Steve 

Sherrod (Sutton Avian Research Center), Dr. Nova Silvy (Texas A&M University), Dr. John 

Toepfer (Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus, Ltd.), Roger Welder (J. F. Welder Heirs), 

and Bruce Williams (Fossil Rim Wildlife Center). Dr. Joe Flanagan and Rebecca Chester 

provided additional advice and assistance. 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

Current Status and Distribution: The Attwater’s prairie-chicken (APC) (Tympanuchus cupido 

attwateri) was listed as endangered with extinction in 1967. This listing was “grandfathered” 

into the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The APC represents the southern-most 

subspecies of T. cupido, and currently occurs in the wild at only three locations - the Attwater 

Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (Colorado County, Texas), the Texas City Prairie 

Preserve (Galveston County, Texas), and a private ranch in Goliad County, Texas. Annual 

counts are conducted every spring on the APC’s booming grounds and approximately 90 birds 

remained in these 3 populations as of March 2009. Counts for 2010 will be conducted in April. 

In addition, approximately 157 individuals were held in captivity at the Abilene Zoo (Abilene, 

Texas), Caldwell Zoo (Tyler, Texas), Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Glen Rose, Texas), Houston 

Zoo (Houston, Texas), San Antonio Zoo (San Antonio, Texas), Sea World of Texas (San 

Antonio, Texas), and Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas) as of December 31, 2009. 

Habitat Requirements: Lehmann (1941:61) described APC habitat requirements as follows: 

“Optimum prairie chicken range apparently consists of well-drained grassland 

supporting some weeds or shrubs as well as grasses, the cover varying in density 

from light to heavy; and with supplies of surface water available in summer. In 

short, diversification within the grassland type is essential.” 

Lehmann (1939:7) succinctly summarized habitat needed by APC: 

“It is therefore upon the existence of adequate prairie habitat that the welfare of 

the prairie chicken depends.” 

Reasons for Listing and Limiting Factors: The APC once occupied expansive prairie 

grasslands of coastal Texas and Louisiana. Habitat destruction and degradation, and to a lesser 

extent overharvesting, are the primary factors contributing to historic population declines. 

However, the last APC hunting season was held in 1936. Current threats include extremely 

small populations, habitat and population fragmentation resulting in genetic isolation, diseases 

and parasites in both the wild and captive setting, inability of captive breeding facilities to 

produce large numbers of captive-reared birds that are capable of survival and reproduction in 

wild habitats, and poor brood survival in wild populations. 

Recovery Goal: The goal of this plan and recovery effort is to protect and ensure the survival of 

the APC and its habitat, allowing the population to reach a measurable level of ecological and 

genetic stability so that it can be reclassified to threatened status (downlisted) and ultimately 

removed from the endangered species list (delisted). 

Recovery Strategy: APC recovery must be focused on three primary areas: (1) habitat 

management, (2) captive and wild population management, and (3) public outreach. It is 

imperative that habitat management, enhancement, and restoration be carried out to maintain 

existing grasslands currently suitable as habitat and to restore degraded grasslands. These 

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grasslands must be provided at a landscape scale so that multiple areas >25,000 acres (ac) 

(10,120 hectares (ha)) are available to support viable APC populations and allow for gene flow 

between them. Population management consists of actions required to manage captive and wild 

populations. If viable populations are to be established in presently unoccupied but suitable 

habitat, large (>100) numbers of birds at multiple release sites will be required. It is clear the 

captive program must be retooled in dramatic fashion to achieve APC recovery. Numerous 

challenges face the wild APC population. Predation (raptors, mesocarnivores, snakes), red 

imported fire ants (Solenopsis wagneri), disease, ectoparasites, accidents (flying into fences, 

wires), flooding, incompatible grazing, altered fire regimes, and countless other factors are 

collectively suppressing optimal recruitment of the three remaining wild populations. Additional 

applied research efforts are essential to identify factors limiting recruitment in free-ranging 

populations, which currently depend heavily on release of captive-reared birds. However, 

conducting meaningful research with broad ranging applicability is very challenging given the 

low population numbers and varied grassland habitats at these three sites. An ongoing challenge 

to recovery has been difficulty in attracting a large constituency engaged in APC conservation. 

A broader support base is critical for timely implementation of actions required for APC 

recovery. 

Recovery Objectives and Criteria: 

1. Downlist to threatened status when the overall population maintains a minimum of 3,000 

breeding adults annually over a 5-year period and there is sufficient habitat of coastal prairie 

grasslands (approximately 150,000 ac (60,702 ha)) to support this population. These 3,000 

breeding adults should be distributed along a linear distance of no less than 50 miles (80 km) 

to mitigate for environmental stochasticity (e.g., hurricanes) while maintaining genetic flow. 

 

2. Delist when the overall population reaches a minimum of 6,000 breeding adults annually 

over a 10-year period and occupying approximately 300,000 ac (121,457 ha) of maintained 

or improved coastal prairie grassland habitat along a linear distance of no less than 100 miles. 

The Recovery Criteria address the current threats of Factors A, C, and E. Factor A - loss of 

habitat is addressed by providing minimum areas of coastal prairie grassland habitat that is 

maintained or restored. Factors C - disease and predation and Factor E - population 

fragmentation, lack of gene flow, husbandry issue, and poor brood survival are alleviated when 

the population reaches minimum sizes of 3,000 and 6,000 breeding adults which are distributed 

over a linear distance of no more than 50 or 100 miles. 

Specific objectives and criteria for habitat management, captive and wild population 

management, and public outreach necessary to accomplish these recovery goals are: 

Objective 1: Maintain and improve 300,000 ac (121,457 ha) of coastal prairie habitat for APC 

throughout the bird’s historical range on both private and public lands. APC recovery will 

require a network of large, high quality coastal prairie habitats containing multiple core areas 

distributed along at least 100 linear miles (160 km). A core area is defined as an area of habitat 

capable of supporting a population of 500 (250 displaying males), or approximately 25,000 ac 

(10,121 ha) (assuming a carrying capacity of 1 bird/50 ac (20 ha) (Lehmann1941). 

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Objective 2: Enhance propagation and release efforts to boost wild populations to viable levels 

and reestablish physically and behaviorally healthy birds to their former range, as measured by 

the following criteria: 

(a) Maintain 90% of original gene diversity for 20 years with a minimum of 200 birds in 

the captive flock. 

(b) Produce enough chicks annually to release at multiple sites (approximately 100 birds 

per release site). 

• Increase capacity of breeding pairs to a minimum of 100 pairs within 2 years. 

• Increase survival in the captive environment so that 50% of eggs produced 

survive to 8 weeks of age. 

(c) When number of young available for release exceeds 100, pilot releases of no fewer 

than 30 should be considered on private lands. 

Objective 3: Establish populations of at least 500 birds in multiple core areas, providing for gene 

flow between populations (see Objective 1). 

Objective 4: Broaden public support and partner in efforts to conserve the APC and its coastal 

prairie ecosystem. 

Estimated Date and Cost of Recovery: The APC is an r-selected species meaning that it is 

capable of explosive population growth. Assuming exponential population growth, and a 

maximum growth rate of r = 0.7 (the maximum metapopulation growth rate observed during 

1971−1996 for any 1 year; M. Morrow, Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge 

(APCNWR), unpublished data), the threshold population size of 6,000 required for delisting 

could be achieved within 6 years (by 2016), beginning with current population levels. However, 

a more realistic sustained r of 0.08 (1971−1975 average for statewide population during last 

recorded 5-year interval of population growth – see Appendix 1) would require 55 years to 

achieve the population threshold for delisting (year 2055). An average r of 0.06 was observed 

from 1972-1987 on the APCNWR during a period of general population increase (M. Morrow, 

APCNWR, unpublished data). Estimated costs for implementation of tasks described in the 

implementation schedule (Section III) over a 50-year recovery period are provided in Table 1. 

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Table 1. Cost estimates ($1,000) for implementation of Attwater’s prairie-chicken recovery 

actions over a projected 50-year recovery period. 

Year 

Habitat 

(Action # 1) 

Captive 

Population 

Management 

(Action # 2) 

Wild 

Population 

Management

(Action #3) 

Public 

Outreach 

(Action # 4) Total 

1 6,567 2,255 350 225 9,397 

2 6,392 1,397 375 50 8,214 

3 6,317 997 398 50 7,762 

4 6,317 797 425 50 7,589 

5 6,317 797 425 50 7,589 

50 167,850 13,983 10,273 425 192,531 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

DISCLAIMER .................................................................................................................... ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................... iv

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES.................................................................................. ix

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................... 1

BRIEF OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................... 1

TAXONOMY AND DESCRIPTION ............................................................................ 3

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE ........................................................................ 5

HABITAT/ECOSYSTEM ............................................................................................ 11

LIFE HISTORY/ECOLOGY ....................................................................................... 14

Reproduction ............................................................................................................. 14

Booming Behavior ................................................................................................ 14

Nesting .................................................................................................................. 16

Brood rearing........................................................................................................ 18

Habitats Used Outside the Breeding Season ............................................................ 20

Food Habits .............................................................................................................. 21

Survival and Mortality Factors ................................................................................. 22

Home Range and Movements.................................................................................... 24

Habitat Management ................................................................................................ 25

CRITICAL HABITAT ................................................................................................. 27

ON-GOING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ................................................................ 27

Research .................................................................................................................... 27

Habitat Management ................................................................................................ 28

Captive Breeding ...................................................................................................... 29

Population Supplementation ..................................................................................... 37

REASONS FOR LISTING/CURRENT THREATS .................................................... 41

RECOVERY ..................................................................................................................... 46

RECOVERY STRATEGY ........................................................................................... 46

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND CRITERIA ................................................................. 48

NARRATIVE OUTLINE OF RECOVERY ACTIONS .............................................. 50

REDUCTION OR ALLEVIATION OF THREATS ................................................... 54

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE ................................................................................. 56

LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................................... 69

APPENDIX 1. ATTWATER’S PRAIRIE-CHICKEN 1937−2009 POPULATION 

 ESTIMATES BY TEXAS COUNTY .......................................................................... 83

APPENDIX 2. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................................ 86

APPENDIX 3. GLOSSARY OF TERMS ....................................................................... 88

APPENDIX 4. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS ON DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN 

 AND USFWS RESPONSES ........................................................................................ 91

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ix

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 

Table 1. Cost estimates ($1,000) for implementation of Attwater’s prairie-chicken 

recovery actions over a projected 50-year recovery period. ............................................. vii

Figure 1. Approximate distribution of Attwater’s prairie-chicken in southeast Texas 

historically, 1937, 1963, and 2009 (from Morrow et al. 2004 with modification). ............ 2

Figure 2. Attwater’s prairie-chicken population trends in southeast Texas, 1937–2009. .. 6

Figure 3. Land-use (1984) and its relationship to Attwater’s prairie-chicken priority 

management zones. ............................................................................................................. 7

Figure 4. Land-use within the Austin-Colorado County, Texas priority management 

zone. .................................................................................................................................... 9

Figure 5. Land-use within the Refugio-Goliad County, Texas priority management 

zone ................................................................................................................................... 10

Figure 6. December 2008 distribution of captive Attwater’s prairie-chickens by 

location (n = 182). ............................................................................................................. 33

Figure 7. Comparison of Attwater’s and greater prairie-chicken mass propagation 

efforts. ............................................................................................................................... 34

Figure 8. Comparison of Attwater’s and greater prairie-chicken captive egg 

production. ........................................................................................................................ 35

Figure 9. Captive Attwater’s prairie-chicken mortality during the first month 

post-hatch. ......................................................................................................................... 36

Figure 10. Captive Attwater’s prairie-chickens (n = 1,471) released at the Attwater 

Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (APCWR), Colorado County, Texas, the 

Texas City Prairie Preserve (TCPP), Galveston County, Texas and a private ranch in 

Goliad County, Texas from 1995−2008. .......................................................................... 38
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. BRIEF OVERVIEW 

The Attwater’s prairie-chicken (APC) (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) is a subspecies of 

prairie-chicken endemic to prairies along the Gulf of Mexico (Bendire 1894). 

Historically, APC populations approached 1 million individuals on an estimated 6 million 

acres (2.4 million ha) of prairie habitat (Lehmann 1968). By 1937, populations had 

declined to an estimated 8,700 individuals and have continued to decline since. As of 

spring 2009, approximately 90 remained in 3 free-ranging populations (Figure 1). The 

APC was listed as endangered in March 1967 under the Endangered Species Preservation 

Act of 1966 (32 FR 4001). It is currently listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service under provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (50 CFR 

17.11) and by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) (31 TAC 65.181-184). The 

APC has a recovery priority ranking of 6 on a scale from 1 (high priority) to 18 (low 

priority). This ranking reflects a high degree of threat, low potential for recovery, and the 

APC’s taxonomic status as a subspecies (48 FR 43104). The APC has been designated as 

a Spotlight Species as defined by the UFSWS’s Endangered Species Program’s Draft 

Strategic Plan (USFWS 2008). 

Loss and fragmentation of its coastal prairie ecosystem and associated isolation of subpopulations brought about by agricultural conversion, urban and industrial expansion, 

overgrazing, and invasion of prairies by woody species have been the ultimate factors 

responsible for the APC’s decline (Lehmann 1941, Jurries 1979, Lawrence and Silvy 

1980, McKinney 1996, Morrow et al. 1996). Probable proximate contributors to rangewide population declines in recent history include stochastic weather events (Morrow et 

al. 1996), reduced genetic variability (Osterndorff 1995), parasites (Peterson 1994, Purvis 

1995), disease (Peterson et al. 1998), and red imported fire ants (Mueller et al. 1999). 

These and possibly other factors have contributed to reduced survival and reproductive 

output (Peterson 1994, Peterson and Silvy 1994). 

A captive breeding program was initiated for the APC in 1992. This program had two 

primary goals: (1) preserve as much genetic variability as possible, and (2) provide birds 

for supplementation of remaining populations and the re-establishment of extirpated 

populations. From 1995−2009, a total of 1,703 captive-reared birds have been released in 

an effort to buoy failing populations at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife 

Refuge (APCNWR), The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Texas City Prairie Preserve 

(TCPP), and a private ranch in Goliad County, Texas (APCNWR, unpublished data). As 

of December 31, 2009, 157 APC were held in breeding facilities at the Abilene, Caldwell, 

Houston, and San Antonio Zoos, and at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Sea World of Texas, 

and Texas A&M University (TAMU) (H. Bailey, APC Species Survival Plan (SSP) 

Coordinator, Houston Zoo, Inc.). 

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Figure 1. Approximate distribution of Attwater’s prairie-chicken in southeast Texas historically, 1937, 1963, and 2

2004 with modification). 

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B. TAXONOMY AND DESCRIPTION

Tympanuchus cupido attwateri is a member of the class Aves, family Phasianidae, and 

subfamily Tetraoninae (American Ornithologists’ Union 1998). It shares its subspecies 

status with the greater prairie-chicken (GPC) (T. c. pinnatus), which occupies grasslands 

of the North American great plains, and the extinct heath hen (T. c. cupido), which once 

occupied grasslands of the northeastern United States (Aldrich 1963, Silvy and Hagen 

2004). The APC was described by Bendire (1894): 

 “Smaller than T. americanus [greater prairie chicken], darker in color, more 

tawny above, usually with more pronounced chestnut on the neck; smaller 

and more tawny light colored spots on the wing coverts, and much more 

scantily feathered tarsus, the latter never feathered down to base of toes, 

even in front; a broad posterior strip of bare skin being always exposed, 

even in winter, while in summer much of the greater part of the tarsus is 

naked.” 

Physical differences between the APC and the GPC are minor. Smaller measurements of 

wing, tail, bill, and total length and differences in general ruddiness and buffiness of the 

underparts are characteristic and can be used to separate the APC as a subspecies 

(Lehmann 1941). Oberholser (1974) described the APC subspecies as similar to the 

GPC, 

 “...but smaller; feathering of tarsus somewhat shorter and sometimes 

leaving lower half of leg bare; coloration somewhat more rufescent and 

buffy, particularly on flanks and other lower parts; dark bars on lower 

surface usually narrower.” 

Lack of feathering extending onto the feet of the APC, less feathering on the tarsus, and 

lack of well-developed pectinae on the toes of the APC during winter are probably the 

most concrete phenotypic differences between the APC and GPC subspecies. Other 

differences, such as plumage coloration and size, are more subtle. 

Svedarsky (1979) reported average breeding season weights for Minnesota GPC females 

(hens) of 919 grams (2.0 lbs) (n = 16). Breeding season weights for combined GPC age 

classes from Wisconsin and Minnesota, weighted by sample size from Toepfer (1988), 

were 1,033 grams (2.3 lbs) for males (cocks) (n = 89) and 929 grams (2.0 lbs) for females 

(n = 55). APC weights reported by Lehmann (1941) averaged 1,112 grams (2.5 lbs) (n = 

5) for males and 737 grams (1.6 lbs) for females. Morrow and Silvy (unpublished data) 

observed average breeding season weights of 986 grams (2.2 lbs) for male (n = 26) and 

874 grams (1.9 lbs) for female (n = 28) APC captured on APCNWR booming grounds 

from 1983–1985. Toepfer (1988) observed that maximum weights of wild GPC cocks 

from Wisconsin and Minnesota occurred approximately three to four weeks before the 

breeding peak, while female weights peaked just before egg laying. Toepfer (1988) 

observed that minimum weights for GPCs occurred during August in Wisconsin, with 

both sexes losing an average of 14% from their peak April weights. Similarly, Svedarsky 

(1979) also worked with the GPC subspecies and observed a 14.6% weight loss during 

summer for Minnesota hens. This summer weight loss was attributed primarily to high 

energy demands of the annual molt (Toepfer 1988). Immature GPCs do not reach full 

3
size until late fall or early winter of their second year, with males gaining an average 9% 

and females 6% compared to their hatch-year weights (Toepfer 1988). 

From a genetics perspective, the APC does not represent a phylogenetically 

distinguishable group based on criteria of monophyly when compared to all recognized 

species within the genus Tympanuchus, based on analysis of mitochondrial DNA 

(mtDNA) control region sequence data (Palkovacs et al. 2004, Johnson and Dunn 2006. 

Johnson et al. 2007). In fact, with the exception of the heath hen (Palkovacs et al. 2004, 

Johnson and Dunn 2006), studies utilizing a number of different molecular markers 

including allozymes, mtDNA, and nuclear intron sequence data (Ellsworth et al. 1994, 

Dimcheff et al. 2002, Drovetski 2002, Palkovacs et al. 2004, Johnson and Dunn 2006, 

Spaulding et al. 2006) with traditional gene-tree approximations found no clear 

phylogenetic differentiation among any species of this genus, which also includes sharptailed grouse (T. phasianellus) and lesser prairie-chicken (T. pallidicinctus). However, 

recent analyses by J. Johnson (University of North Texas, unpublished data) using a 

coalescent approach to investigate the demographic history associated with each taxon 

based on mtDNA sequence data indicate that despite morphological and behavioral 

similarities between APC and GPC, these two taxa are as genetically divergent from each 

other as either is from morphologically distinct lesser prairie-chickens and sharp-tailed 

grouse. In a recent unpublished study using nuclear microsatellite DNA allele frequency 

data, J. Johnson (University of North Texas) was also able to identify significant 

population genetic differentiation between all Tympanuchus taxa, including the APC 

population, suggesting that no contemporary gene flow exists between sampled 

populations. 

The apparent lack of reciprocal monophyly among these taxa based on traditional 

phylogenetic methods is due to incomplete lineage sorting rather than contemporary gene 

flow (Johnson et al. 2007). Ellsworth et al. (1994), Drovetski (2002), and Spaulding 

(2007) suggested that morphological and behavioral differentiation among species in this 

genus, particularly for those with overlapping geographic distributions, is largely driven 

by sexual selection and has progressed more rapidly than mtDNA or allozyme 

differentiation. This suggestion is consistent with the significant amount of time that 

would be required for attainment of reciprocal monophyly due to the recent 

diversification within this genus and its large ancestral effective population size 

associated with this genus and its recent ancestry (Hudson and Coyne 2002, Johnson et 

al. 2007). 

In summary, most molecular approaches to date have not been able to identify distinct 

groups associated with commonly accepted species taxonomy within Tympanuchus (i.e., 

lesser prairie-chicken, GPC, and sharp-tailed grouse) suggesting that this genus 

experienced a rapid diversification within the past 10,000 years. However, more recent 

genetic analyses have suggested that APC and GPC are as differentiated from each other 

as either is from other recognized species within the genus (J. Johnson, University of 

North Texas, unpublished data). Therefore, APC and GPC may warrant separate species 

status despite any observable behavioral or morphological similarities. 

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C. DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE 

The APC represents the southernmost extension of the genus Tympanuchus. Historically, 

APCs ranged from southwest Louisiana to possibly near Brownsville, Texas (Lehmann 

1941, Oberholser 1974, Peterson 1994, Silvy et al. 2004). However, in reviewing 

historical accounts Lehmann and Mauermann (1963) concluded: 

“...Attwater’s prairie chickens have almost certainly never been abundant 

in any part of the southern coastal prairie south of the Nueces River from 

the mid-1800’s to the present.” 

These authors suggested the propensity for severe droughts along the lower Texas coast 

and the Rio Grande River plain limited establishment of long-term populations in those 

areas. Lehmann (1941) reported the northern distribution of the APC was limited by the 

northern edge of the coastal prairie. Oberholser (1974) reported data that suggest APCs 

may have ranged as far north as Bastrop and Travis Counties in Texas, but Lehmann 

(1941) considered records from these two counties as being questionable. Silvy et al. 

(2004), citing data from Oberholser (1974), reported a two-county overlap in the historic 

distribution of APC and GPCs in Texas. GPCs were extirpated from Texas by 1920, with 

the last records occurring in northeast Texas near Marshall (Oberholser 1974). 

APCs were extirpated from Louisiana by 1919 (St. Amant 1959, Lehmann 1965, 

Oberholser 1974), although St. Amant (1959) reported huntable populations existed in 12 

parishes by as late as 1890. Only an estimated 8,700 individuals remained in 19 Texas 

counties by 1937 (Lehmann 1941), down from a historic distribution of up to 48 Texas 

counties (Silvy et al. 2004) which may have supported numbers approaching 1 million in 

peak years (Lehmann 1941). Population declines continued and by 1999, APC remained 

in only two counties (Morrow et al. 2004, Silvy et al. 2004) (Figure 1, Appendix 1). 

Populations in these two counties have been buoyed since 1996 by supplementation with 

birds reared in captivity (Morrow et al. 2004, Silvy et al. 2004). Beginning in 2007, 

APCs have also been released at a third site in Goliad County. In spring 2009, 

approximately 90 APCs remained in free-ranging populations at the APCNWR (Colorado 

County, Texas), TCPP (Galveston County, Texas), and a private ranch in Goliad County, 

Texas (APCNWR, unpublished data) (Figure 2, Appendix 1). Annual counts are 

conducted every spring on the APC’s booming grounds and the spring 2010 counts will 

be done in April. 

Loss of its prairie grassland habitat was the primary cause for the APC decline (Figure 3). 

Lehmann (1941) indicated that 93% of the 6 million acres (2.4 million ha) of coastal 

prairie that once supported APC had been lost by 1937. Coastal prairie loss continued 

through the remainder of the 20th century. From 1952–1990, grassland acreage 

containing the two largest remaining APC populations declined by 67% in Austin and 

Colorado counties and by 46% in Aransas, Goliad, and Refugio Counties (McKinney 

1996). Smeins et al. (1991) estimated that <1% of the coastal prairie ecosystem remained 

in relatively pristine condition. 

Population densities for the APC and GPC subspecies reported in the literature are 

extremely variable, depending upon the quality of the habitat, time of year, how the area 

was surveyed, and how the area of interest was defined. Lehmann (1941) stated that 

Figure 3. Land-use (1984) and its relationship to Attwater’s prairie-chicken priority management zones. 

7
under pristine conditions, not all coastal prairies had equal carrying capacities with 

respect to the APC. He suggested that well-drained areas (15% of the former range) may 

have supported up to 1 bird/acre (0.4 ha), fairly well drained areas (55% of former range) 

supported maximum densities of 1 bird/10 acres (4 ha) and poorly drained areas (30% of 

former range) supported not more than 1 bird/50 acres (20 ha). However, densities 

suggested by Lehmann (1941) are high, at least for the best range, compared to those 

reported for the GPC subspecies. Hamerstrom et al. (1957) reported that observed 

densities for the best habitat within each State or Canadian province ranged from less 

than 1 cock/1,000 acres (405 ha) in Ontario to 1 cock/16 acres (6 ha) in Kansas. 

Maximum population densities reported for GPCs on areas of managed habitat (i.e., 

considering only the area under management in density estimates) ranged from 1 

cock/6−8 acres (2−3 ha) (1 bird/3−4 acres, assuming 1:1 sex ratio) of ecologicallypatterned habitat (Missouri Department of Conservation 1984). Arthaud (1970) observed 

a density of 1 male/3.5 acres (1.4 ha) on a 1,680-acre (680 ha) management area in 

Missouri. 

However, Toepfer (2003) cautioned that one must evaluate a population’s health based 

on range-wide density estimates, and suggested that for prairie-chickens, a population’s 

range be determined by a minimum convex polygon which connects the outer-most 

booming ground locations. Taking this approach, Toepfer (2003) reported a range-wide 

density of approximately 1 bird/640 acres (259 ha) for Wisconsin and 1.5 birds/640 acres 

for Minnesota. Using booming ground location data described by McKinney (1996) and 

census data compiled by APCNWR, 1979 density estimates calculated with this approach 

for the 2 geographically separated APC populations described by McKinney (1996) were 

3.3 and 4.5 birds/640 acres for the Aransas-Goliad-Refugio (254 mi2

, 659 km2) and the 

Austin-Colorado (113 mi2

, 292 km2) County populations, respectively (Figures 4, 5). 

The Austin-Colorado County population contains the APCNWR. However, because 

APC were traditionally surveyed on fixed routes to monitor population trends, these 

estimates are likely very conservative. 

Toepfer (2003) suggested that high densities of wildlife are not necessarily reflective of 

healthy populations, especially from a genetic perspective. He suggested that for prairiechickens, a key objective must be to maintain gene flow among populations within 

relatively large areas (Johnson et al. 2004). Toepfer (2003) holds the Minnesota 

population, with an average density of roughly 1.5 birds/640 acres, up as “the real prairie 

chicken success story in the U.S.” Despite going through several population bottlenecks 

within its roughly 3,000 mi2 (7,770 km2) range, by 2003 the Minnesota population had 

recovered to the point that it was able to sustain its first hunting season since 1942 

(Toepfer 2003). 

However one reports population-level data, it is clear from a review of the literature that 

as an r-selected species, prairie-chicken populations of both subspecies are subject to 

sudden, catastrophic population declines. For example, Oberholser (1974) suggested that 

GPC populations in north-central Texas may have numbered 500,000 circa 1850. 

8
Figure 4. Land-use within the Austin-Colorado County, Texas priority management zone. 

9
Figure 5. Land-use within the Refugio-Goliad County, Texas priority management zone. 

10
Oberholser (1974:266) continued: 

“Between 1870 and 1890, these birds were shot by the wagon load for 

meat and blood sport; even worse was the plowing up or overgrazing of 

their grassland habitat.... the last small flock disappeared after June 

1920... Along the Texas coast, the Attwater’s Greater Prairie-Chicken, T. 

c. attwateri, was slaughtered with customary frontier abandon between 

1840 and 1900.... For attwateri, as for other races, plowing under of the 

native sod was even more damaging than gunshots. Where overgrazing by 

livestock weakened the turf, huisache (Acacia farnesiana), mesquite 

(Prospis), retama (Parkinsonia aculeata), and other brush species 

encroached, reducing suitable acreage for this prairie chicken. As of about 

1880, the Attwater’s was still generally distributed over the Texas coastal 

prairie... some 810,000 birds... By 1937, the occupied area had shrunk to 

disjunct colonies...at this time Lehmann determined there were only about 

8,700 attwateri in Texas – and the world....” 

Smaller, isolated populations can disappear with even greater rapidity. For example, 

Walk (2004) reported that in 1962 approximately 2,000 GPCs remained in Illinois. By 

1966, fewer than 400 remained. Since 1987, range-wide APC populations declined from 

an estimated 1,108 individuals to 42 in 1996 (Figure 2). Remaining APC populations 

have been supplemented with captive-reared birds since 1996. In the absence of this 

supplementation, APCs populations would have undoubtedly become extinct in the wild 

(Morrow et al. 2004). Toepfer (2003) stated that historical GPC data suggests isolated 

populations generally disappear once they fall below 100 cocks unless intensive 

management is implemented. APC population trends support that hypothesis, and 

suggest that populations dropping below 250 cocks for more than 3 years in succession 

have a high probability of ultimately going extinct (Appendix 1). 

D. HABITAT/ECOSYSTEM

Description of habitat required by the T. cupido species in general, and the APC 

subspecies in particular, is relatively simple; they require lots of grass and open space 

(Lehmann 1939, 1941; Schwartz 1945; Baker 1953; Hamerstrom et al. 1957; Cogar et al. 

1977; Toepfer 1988, 2003; Johnson et al. 2003, 2004; Silvy et al. 2004; Niemuth 2005). 

Lehmann (1939) summarizes APC habitat requirements: 

“True to its name, the Attwater [sic] prairie chicken is a bird of the prairie. 

Woodland, brushland, fallow land, and cultivated land furnish some food 

and cover at certain times and under certain conditions, but use of these 

types by prairie chickens is optional, not vital. Individually or in 

combination, these types of land furnish little or nothing in the way of 

critically necessary courtship grounds and nesting cover. Moderately 

grazed and moderately burned grassland, on the other hand, provides 

prairie chickens with everything they need at all seasons. It is therefore 

upon the existence of adequate prairie habitat that the welfare of the 

prairie chicken depends.” 

11
While native prairie is most often identified as a habitat requirement for the APC 

subspecies (Lehmann 1939, 1941; Cogar et al. 1977, Horkel 1979), Toepfer (2003) stated 

there is no evidence GPCs prefer or require native grasses. However, both Hamerstrom 

et al. (1957) and Toepfer (2003) stressed the importance of permanent grassland as GPC 

habitat, especially for nesting, brood rearing, and year-round night roosting. Hamerstrom 

et al. (1957) indicated that total grassland appeared to be a rough index of GPC habitat 

quality. 

Although there is general agreement that quantity of grassland is directly related to 

prairie-chicken population levels (Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Newell et al. 1987, Toepfer 

2003), there is no consensus on the size and composition of management areas required. 

Hamerstrom et al. (1957) found minimum populations of GPCs in 10-40% permanent 

grassland, while areas with more than 40% permanent grassland supported 

proportionately larger populations. These authors observed the densest population on 

record at that time (38.8 cocks/640 ac) in an area of 77% permanent native prairie, and 

“low lingering” populations in 10−15% relatively undisturbed grassland. Based on these 

observations, Hamerstrom et al. (1957) stated that as a rule of thumb, GPCs occurred on a 

sustainable basis in areas which were at least 33% grassland, but were abundant only 

where grass comprised 50-75% of the area. 

Minimum areas required to support a viable population of T. cupido range from several 

hundred to several thousand acres (Niemuth 2000, Toepfer 2003). However, Toepfer 

(2003:50) stated that previous estimates of minimum management area for prairiechickens “...all are much too small.” Toepfer (2003) observed the approximately 3,000 

mi2

 (7,770-km2) Minnesota GPC range has undergone several population bottlenecks and 

still maintained its genetic viability, whereas prairie-chickens occupying smaller ranges 

have declined, become extirpated, or undergone substantial declines in genetic diversity 

(Johnson et al. 2003, 2004). Toepfer (2003:55) concludes: 

“At this point in time we still do not know the minimum size necessary to 

sustain a viable greater prairie chicken population....We should all now 

understand that to be successful, management would have to spread 

thousands of acres of grassland habitat over a landscape of several 

thousand square miles and maintain connectivity.” 

While grass has long been recognized as an important component of prairie-chicken 

habitat, open space has been given less detailed attention (Toepfer 1988). Prairiechickens occasionally use trees for food, roosting, or loafing (Lehmann 1941, 

Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Toepfer 1988), but in general have an aversion to being closed in 

by woodland or overhanging cover (Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Toepfer 2003). 

Hamerstrom et al. (1957) indicated good prairie-chicken cover should contain less than 

20-25% woodland cover where woody cover is distributed in scattered blocks, whereas 

Ammann (1957) observed GPCs in Michigan survived best with not more than 10-25% 

woody cover. Toepfer (1988) reported the mean size of treeless areas and open space 

was positively associated with the number of cocks attending booming grounds in 

Wisconsin. Toepfer (1988) and Niemuth (2003, 2005) found landscapes surrounding 

GPC booming grounds in Wisconsin contained more grass and less forest than unused 

random points. Similarly, Merrill et al. (1999) found Minnesota booming grounds 

12
occurred in landscapes containing less residential farmstead, smaller amounts and smaller 

patches of forest, and greater amounts of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands, 

which provide suitable grasslands for prairie-chickens (Toepfer 2003). Toepfer (2003) 

reported that increasing the treeless area from 140−540 acres (57–219 ha) around a 

Wisconsin booming ground by removal of scattered trees increased annual survival of 

cocks from this booming ground by at least 20% compared to males from control 

booming grounds. 

Hamerstrom et al. (1957) indicated the distribution of woods and openings is probably 

more important than total acreage. Specifically, Hamerstrom et al. (1957) stated nesting 

habitat should have a tree-free area of at least 0.5 mi (0.8 km) in one, and preferably two 

dimensions (i.e., length and width), and Keenlance (1998) found distance to nearest wood 

line was greater at nests compared to random points. McKee et al. (1998) found nest 

success decreased substantially when more than 5% woody cover was present at nest 

sites. Merrill et al. (1999) found no traditional booming grounds within 1 mi (1.6 km) of 

any town or forest patch greater than 75 ac (30 ha), although Toepfer (STCP, personal 

communication) has since observed several booming grounds within 1 mi (1.6 km) of 

towns in the Merrill et al. (1999) study area following a substantial GPC population 

increase. 

Historically, fire was an important factor in maintaining the open character of grasslands 

occupied by APC (Lehmann 1965). In a comprehensive historical review of fire within 

the APC’s range, Lehmann (1965) cited historic observations of expansive tracts of 

Texas coastal prairie burning as often as twice a year. Many of these fires were 

anthropogenic in nature, set either purposefully or accidentally by native Americans and 

settlers alike. However, Lehmann (1965:138) noted that human use of fire in coastal 

Texas “...was finally extinguished in the late 1940’s,” resulting in increased brush within 

formerly open prairie grasslands. 

Artificial structures placed on the landscape by humans can also reduce open space 

within grasslands. Hamerstorm et al. (1957), Anderson (1969), and Toepfer (2003) have 

reported movement or abandonment of booming grounds in response to natural and/or 

artificial structures near booming grounds. Robel et al. (2004) noted avoidance of 

anthropogenic structures (e.g., oil/gas wellheads, center-pivot irrigation, roads, buildings, 

electric transmission lines) by lesser prairie-chickens in southwestern Kansas. With 

regard to the APC, Lehmann (1941:43) observed, “Veritable forests of oil derricks now 

stand in areas that once provided some of the finest prairie chicken range. In these 

areas... prairie chickens are almost, if not completely gone.” Concern has also been 

expressed regarding potential negative consequences of other anthropogenic structures 

such as wind turbines (Pruett et al. 2009) and fences (Wolfe et al. 2007) on lesser prairiechickens. However, Lutz (1979) observed that APC did not avoid areas that had been 

developed for petroleum production, and noted that many booming grounds were at 

oil/gas well sites. With regard to wind turbines and Minnesota GPC, Toepfer (2003:47) 

states, “It would seem that the prairie chickens in this area have adjusted to these three 

towers and turning blades as long as the surrounding grasslands were not affected.” 

Impacts of anthropogenic structures on grassland wildlife are areas of active research, 

with more information sure to come in the near future. 

13
Hamerstrom et al. (1957) succinctly summarized the foregoing discussion on T. cupido

habitat requirements: 

“Grassland is of vital importance to prairie chickens, the keystone in 

prairie chicken ecology....Wherever one looks, the answer is the same: to 

save the prairie chicken, grasslands must be preserved and managed for 

them. There are no substitutes.” 

E. LIFE HISTORY/ECOLOGY

Reproduction 

Booming Behavior. The most conspicuous phase of the APC life cycle occurs on 

communal display areas known as booming grounds, named after the resonant 

vocalizations made by displaying males. Courtship behavior of the APC and GPC 

subspecies is similar (Bent 1963). Several studies have pointed to the importance of 

booming grounds as focal points for prairie-chicken ecology (Schwartz 1945; 

Hamerstrom et al. 1957; Toepfer 1988, 2003). Toepfer (2003:14) states: 

“The booming ground is the social center of prairie chicken ecology. 

Movements are best characterized as being associated with the habitat 

within and surrounding a complex of booming grounds...The role of the 

booming ground in prairie chicken ecology cannot be overstated as most, 

if not all, of the life history of individual birds occurs within a mile of a 

booming ground. This concept goes back to Schwartz (1945) who 

believed that each booming ground had its own ‘sphere of influence’ with 

its own group of cocks and hens. This idea is supported by years of radio 

tracking that indicate the majority of radio-tagged regular adult cocks of 

adjacent booming grounds rarely come together, and that areas used by 

these adult cocks show little overlap unless an individual shifts booming 

grounds.” 

Booming grounds vary in size from about one-eighth to several acres (Jurries 1979). 

They may be naturally occurring short grass flats or artificially maintained areas such as 

roads, airport runways, oil well pads, plowed fields and drainage ditches (Jurries 1979, 

Horkel 1979). Numerous studies have observed that active booming grounds are usually 

in close proximity to grass suitable for nesting and night roosting (Lehmann 1941; Horkel 

1979; Niemuth 2000, 2003; Toepfer 1988, 2003). Due to the large number of artificially 

maintained areas currently available within the APC range, sufficient booming areas are 

generally available to all males (Horkel 1979). However, booming grounds found on 

artificial areas are sometimes less stable than ancestral booming grounds. For example, 

Lehmann (1941), Kessler (1978), and Jurries (1979) observed recently established 

booming grounds on fallow rice fields had poor territorial hierarchy when compared to 

ancestral grounds. Similarly, Horkel and Silvy (1980) found booming grounds on 

narrow, linear areas such as roads and pipeline rights-of-way were less stable than more 

typical circular-shaped leks. Stable GPC booming grounds appear to have greater male 

visitation on average than unstable booming grounds (Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 

1973, Schroeder and Braun 1992, Merrill et al. 1999). Merrill et al. (1999) found 

14
traditional GPC booming grounds were surrounded by proportionately less forest and 

cropland (i.e., more grass) than were temporary booming grounds. Schroeder and Braun 

(1992) noted that on average 22.9% of GPC booming grounds in their Colorado study 

disappeared each year. Jurries (1979) observed temporary booming grounds usually 

resulted from increased populations, which were often abandoned when populations 

decline. Cover changes also may influence location and attendance of booming grounds 

(Lehmann 1941, Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Anderson 1969, Toepfer 2003). 

Males gather on booming grounds in early morning and late evening to establish 

individual territories and to attract females, although attendance in the morning is more 

regular (Schwartz 1945). Jurries (1979) reported the number of cocks on an APC 

booming ground ranged from 3–40, but averaged 6–15. Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 

(1973) observed annual average numbers of GPC cocks/booming ground during their 22-

year study from 6.4–13.5 (range 1–45, n = 529) for stable booming grounds, and 1–4.5 

for booming grounds of uncertain status (range 1–7, n = 82). Attendance by APC males 

is sporadic in fall (October–December), but both attendance and intensity of territorial 

defense increases by late January to early February (Lehmann 1941, Jurries 1979). 

Lehmann (1941) stated that courtship activity was at its peak in March, while Horkel 

(1979) indicated the “height of the booming season” occurred in late February to early 

March. Counts of cocks (minimum of 3 recommended), taken 45 minutes before sunrise 

to 1 hour after sunrise during the 2–3-week period of peak display, are recommended for 

use as population indices (Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 1973, Svedarsky 1983). APC 

booming activity typically ends by the third week in May (Lehmann 1941). 

Largest groups of females are generally observed on booming grounds a few days prior to 

the peak in breeding (Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 1973, Robel and Ballard 1974). 

Booming intensity increases when hens are present. Several males may follow the hen(s) 

as they walk across the booming ground, resulting in a temporary break down of cock 

territorial boundaries (Jurries 1979). Copulations begin to occur in late February, peak in 

early March, and gradually decrease through April and early May (Jurries 1979, Lutz 

1979). Secondary peaks in breeding occur in April resulting from hens attempting to renest after initial attempts fail (Jurries 1979). Hens may copulate with more than one male 

(Lehmann 1941). 

GPC studies have shown males occupying territories near the center of booming grounds 

are generally the most dominant, and usually perform the majority of copulations (Robel 

1970). Robel (1970) reported that only approximately 10% of the male GPC population 

was directly involved with breeding. However, Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom (1973) 

observed 18% of copulations by known-age GPC cocks (n = 506) were by juveniles, and 

31% (n = 555) were by cocks with exterior territories. Rates of booming ground 

visitation appear to be similar for adult and juvenile cocks, although juveniles visit more 

booming grounds during the breeding season than adults (Schroeder and Braun 1992). 

However once established, males maintain strong fidelity to booming grounds. Toepfer 

(1988) observed 84.6% of surviving GPC cocks returned to the booming ground on 

which they displayed the previous year (n = 66), and 80.0% of those that shifted to a new 

ground were between their first and second booming season. All juveniles (both sexes) 

attempt to breed during their first booming season (Schroeder and Robb 1993). A 

detailed description of behaviors and vocalizations associated with APC booming 

grounds is provided by Lehmann (1941). 

15
Nesting. After the female has mated, she leaves the booming ground to initiate egg 

laying within approximately four days (Svedarsky 1983). The earliest date estimated for 

initiation of incubation for APC was before March 21, based on observations of a hen 

with young chicks at the TCPP on 16 April 1999 (M. Morrow, APCNWR, personal 

observation). The latest initiation of incubation recorded was May 29 (Lehmann 1941). 

Eggs pip approximately 23−24 days after the onset of incubation, and hatch 

approximately 48 hours later (Lehmann 1941). Hatching dates ranged from April 16 (M. 

Morrow, APCNWR, personal observation) to the third week in June (Morrow 1986). 

Hens lose approximately 15–20% of their body mass during incubation (Rumble et al. 

1987, Toepfer 1988). 

A summary by Peterson and Silvy (1996) of several APC nesting studies indicated clutch 

size ranged from 7–16 eggs, averaging 12.1 for initial attempts (n = 106), and 9.5 for renesting attempts (n = 25). The 11.6-egg average for all attempts was not statistically 

different from clutch sizes reported for GPCs (Peterson and Silvy 1996). Peterson and 

Silvy (1996) observed an average APC egg hatchability of 87.3% (n = 648), which was 

not statistically different than the 88.7% reported for GPCs. Peterson and Silvy (1996) 

found that APC nest success averaged 32.2% for 143 nests observed during studies 

conducted 1937–1985, significantly lower (P = 0.0087) than the average 49.5% reported 

for 480 GPC nests. Lehmann (1941) observed an average nest success of 31.5%, so the 

observed difference between APC and GPC nesting success is not a phenomenon that has 

developed in recent history. If a female’s first nest is destroyed, she may re-nest 

(Lehmann 1941, Jurries 1979), with egg-laying in the second clutch beginning as soon as 

8–9 days later (Schroeder and Robb 1993). McKee et al. (1998) reported when all 

nesting attempts were considered, 56% of Missouri GPC hens hatched chicks even 

though average nest success was only 35%. Newell (1987) observed 57.9% of radiotagged GPC hens in North Dakota successfully hatched chicks. Toepfer (1988) found renesting by Wisconsin GPCs provided 38% of the production for a year. Similarly, 

Newell et al. (1987) observed 36% of North Dakota GPC chicks came from re-nesting 

attempts. Newell (1987) found 28% of subadult and 88% of adult hens re-nested, 

respectively. Fields et al. (2006) observed the survival of Kansas prairie-chicken nests 

declined as the nest aged and as the nesting season progressed. They found survival 

probability of early-, mid-, and late-season nests was 0.77, 0.61, and 0.19, respectively. 

Later ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hatches resulted in smaller clutch 

sizes, lower chick weights, and reduced chick survival (Riley et al. 1998). 

APC nest predators include skunks (Mephitis mephitis, Spilogale putorius), opossum 

(Didelphis virginianus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), coyote (Canis latrans), armadillos 

(Dasypus novemcinctus), snakes, and domestic dogs and cats (Jurries 1979). 

Abandonment caused by human disturbance, nest flooding, or unknown causes also has 

been reported (Lehmann 1941, Horkel 1979, Lutz 1979). Nest flooding has been 

observed in several studies (Lehmann 1941, Jurries 1979, Lawrence 1982, M. Morrow, 

APCNWR, unpublished data). Lehmann (1941:38) recounts observations recorded in his 

1938 field notes: 

“The prairie has been transformed into a miniature ocean dotted by tiny 

islands that previously had been the tops of knolls and ridges. On these 

16
islands sit wet and bedraggled prairie chickens and other birds that seem 

as confused and astounded as I by the sudden change in their environment. 

About a 5-inch depth of water covers the sites of nests 14 and 17, and 

former nest 15. Nest 16 has escaped by a hair’s breadth, but the lining is 

very soggy. Problems due to hawks, skunks, and other predators seem so 

petty when excessive rain destroys virtually everything at a single stroke.” 

Poor surface and internal drainage is a characteristic feature of the APC’s coastal prairie 

ecosystem resulting from low relief and dense clay subsoils (Smeins et al. 1991). In 

some years, nest losses from flooding can be substantial. For example, Lehmann (1941) 

observed a 33% loss due to flooding (n = 6) in 1938. Lawrence (1982) attributed 

abandonment of one of three active nests to flooding in 1981. Morrow (APCNWR, 

unpublished data) attributed abandonment of 4 of 15 nests during 2004 to nest flooding at 

APCNWR. Water partially covered eggs in two of these nests, and nesting materials in 

the other two were water soaked. One of three nests observed at TCPP during 2004 was 

flooded (B. Crawford, TCPP, personal communication). 

Most nests are located in grasslands within one mile (1.6 km) of a booming ground 

(Lehmann 1941, Horkel 1979, Toepfer 1988), although nests may not be nearest to the 

booming ground on which the hen mated (Toepfer 1988). Females display fidelity to 

general nesting areas between years, although this is not the case for all hens (Toepfer 

2003). While most nests are located in grasslands, Kessler (1978) and Jurries (1979) 

found a small number of nests in fallow rice fields. These nests were generally 

unsuccessful. Ryan et al. (1998) also observed substantially decreased success for nests 

located in agricultural habitats. 

Plant species composition at nest sites varies by region and even from location to location 

within regions, but in general T. cupido requires grass for nesting habitat (Lehmann 1941, 

Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 1973, Toepfer 1988, Toepfer 

2003). Toepfer (1988) indicated that nesting GPC hens seek out undisturbed residual 

grass cover 6-20 inches (15–50 cm) in height. Toepfer (1988) found 63% of GPC nests 

in residual grass from 10−20 inches (26–50 cm), and found these nests to be more 

successful than those found in shorter vegetation. Newell (1987) and Golner (1997) also 

observed lower effective heights of vegetation at unsuccessful GPC nests. Buhnerkempe 

et al. (1984) recommended that T. cupido nesting habitat should have 90% of standing 

vegetation distributed below 16 inches (40 cm), with vegetation vertically dense to that 

point. Lutz et al. (1994), working on private ranches, found obstruction of vision (OV) 

(Robel et al. 1970) values at APC nests averaged 9 inches (23 cm), and were higher (P = 

0.04) at successful (10 inches, 25 cm) than at unsuccessful nests (9 inches, 22 cm). 

Morrow (1986), working on the APCNWR, also observed an average OV of 9 inches (23 

cm) at APC nest sites (n = 26). It should be noted that Buhnerkempe et al. (1984), Lutz 

et al. (1994), and Morrow (1986) did not obtain OV data until after completion of the 

nesting attempt. Lehmann (1941) observed that rapid plant growth in April and May 

provided cover for nests that may have been relatively exposed when initiated. However, 

Svedarsky (1979), who determined OV measures at nests when found, also recommended 

that nesting habitat should have residual vegetation with 100% OV at 10 inches (25 cm), 

and 50% OV at 14 inches (35 cm). 

17
Vegetation can become too tall and dense for nesting T. cupido (Westemeier 1972, 

Svedarsky 1979, Buhnerkempe et al. 1984). For Illinois GPCs, Westemeier (1972:335) 

stated, “We have not found prairie chicken nests in any rank vegetative cover...” 

Westemeier (1972:335) described rank vegetation such as big bluestem (Andropogon 

gerardi), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) which 

when undisturbed “...develop a rank impenetrable layer of cane-like stems and residual 

cover.” Supporting this observation, McKee et al. (1998) found horizontal litter cover 

was the best single variable predictor of GPC nests. These authors indicated that nests 

with >25% litter cover had failure rates twice that of nests with less litter cover. 

Svedarsky (1979) found greater litter depths at unsuccessful than at successful GPC 

nests. Morrow et al. (1996) discussed the importance of variability in grassland structure 

for nesting and brood rearing. Grasslands with tall (>39 inches, >1 m) vegetation appear 

to be avoided by nesting hens (Svedarsky 1979, Toepfer 1988), although such vegetation 

may be important for night roosting during periods of inclement weather (J. Toepfer, 

personal communication). Other nest-site vegetation threshold values identified by 

McKee et al. (1998) beyond which GPC nest success declined substantially include >5% 

woody cover, ≤5% forb cover, and ≤25% grass cover. 

Brood rearing. Hens leave the nest with their chicks after the last egg has hatched 

(Lehmann 1941). T. cupido chick weights at hatch average approximately 16–17 grams 

(0.6 oz) (Gross 1932; O. Dorris, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, unpublished data). Griffin 

(1998) reported average chick weights for captive APC, GPC, and APC x GPC hybrids as 

15.4–17.8 grams (0.5−0.6 oz), 15.4–20.4 grams (0.5−0.7 oz), and 14.6–17.3 grams 

(0.5−0.6 oz), respectively. Chicks are not capable of thermoregulation until 

approximately 10–14 days (Toepfer 2003) and are brooded by the hen approximately 

50% of the daylight hours during the first week (Lehmann 1941). By two weeks of age, 

Lehmann (1941) observed that APC chicks were brooded little except early in the 

morning, during inclement weather, and at night. Toepfer (2003) stated that GPC hens 

brood their chicks for up to five weeks post-hatch. Contrary to behavior of some 

gallinaceous species, there is no evidence that prairie-chicken brood hens feed chicks or 

show them what to eat (Schroeder and Robb 1993). Lehmann (1941:16) described the 

behavior of hens leaving nests with their broods: 

“When leading chicks from the nest, old birds traveled through the lightest 

cover or followed trails, probably because heavy matted vegetation 

impeded progress and increased the chance of chicks getting lost. Cow 

trails were favorite travel ways. Chicks ranged in front, behind, and on 

both sides of the hen over an area of 1 to 5 yards in radius. Interruptions 

for sporadic feeding and for frequent brooding, which was probably more 

necessary for assembling than for warming the young, made progress 

slow.” 

Lehmann (1941) suggested this loose feeding formation resulted in chicks becoming 

separated from the brood unit. Chicks can perform weak flights by 2 weeks of age, and 

can fly >120 feet (36 m) by 3 weeks (Lehmann 1941). 

APC broods spend the first weeks after hatching in grasslands near the nest, typically 

moving less than 900 ft/day (274 m/day) (Lehmann 1941). Lehmann (1941) observed 

18
two broods within 0.5 mi (0.8 km) of their nests until they were 7 and 12 days of age. 

Similarly, Morrow (1986) found APC broods moved approximately 0.4 mi (0.7 km) by 

7–10 days post-hatch, and Svedarsky (1979) observed GPC broods in Minnesota moving 

an average 0.6 mi (1 km) from the nest site within 2 weeks. Toepfer (1988) observed 

movements by GPC broods in Wisconsin of just over 330 ft/day (100 m/day) during the 

first week and approximately 990 ft/day (300 m/day) by 14 weeks. However, broods are 

capable of movements of 1.8−2.4 mi (3–4 km) during the first week of life (Cebula 1966, 

Viers 1967, Silvy 1968, Svedarsky 1979). Newell et al. (1987) observed 5 of 22 North 

Dakota GPC broods moved 1.2−9 mi (2–15 km) within 34 days of hatch. 

Newell et al. (1987) observed brood home ranges during the first 2–3 months post-hatch 

averaging 1,205 ac (488 ha) (range 54−5,553 ac, 22–2,248 ha), but small areas within 

these home ranges averaging 99.8 ac (40.4 ha) were used more intensively. Newell 

(1987) observed home ranges for broods hatching from re-nests and adult hens were 

smaller than those from initial nests and sub-adult hens, respectively. Distance between 

siblings increases among brood members, progressing toward brood break-up (Schroeder 

and Robb 1993). For the APC, brood break-up begins at 6–8 weeks, although some 

chicks may remain with the hen until late October or November (Lehmann 1939, 1941). 

Cogar et al. (1977) and Morrow (1986) found broods less than 5–6 weeks old used 

grasslands types similar to those used for nesting. Broods move away from the dense 

residual cover associated with nesting cover to less dense cover which facilitates 

movement by the hen and chicks (Lehmann 1941, Toepfer 1988). Kessler (1978) and 

Svedarsky (1979) recommended that APC and GPC brood cover respectively, should 

have sufficient canopy cover to provide shade during the summer, but be open enough at 

ground level to allow uninhibited chick movement. Jones (1963) noted the importance of 

areas dominated by forbs in supporting high insect populations, which form a large 

proportion of the chick’s diet (Lehmann 1941, Savory 1989). 

Toepfer (1988) found Wisconsin GPC brood rearing habitat consisted of grass or mixed 

grass in the 10−39 inch (25–100 cm) range that was undisturbed during the season of use, 

but disturbed within the past 6–24 months. Golner (1997) observed 77% of Wisconsin 

GPC brood hen locations were in grass or grass/forb cover. Night roosts for North 

Dakota GPC broods had 4-10 inch (10-25 cm) OV ( = 4 inches, 10 cm) with vegetation 

heights of 10-20 inches (25–50 cm) for 86% of observed locations (Newell et al. 1987). 

Toepfer (1988) stated that non-grass vegetation types were relatively unimportant to GPC 

hens with broods, and Newell et al. (1987) found brood hens avoided cash crops, 

especially row crops during summer. Toepfer (2003) found little evidence for disturbed 

areas being a habitat requirement for GPC broods in Minnesota, North Dakota, or 

Wisconsin. 

Starting about 4–6 weeks post-hatch, APC broods use more open habitats associated with 

mid-grass nesting cover (Cogar et al. 1977, Horkel 1979, Morrow 1986). Lehmann 

(1941) attributed this shift in habitat use to movements to areas of shade and surface 

water. Lehmann (1941) stated: 

“More than 95 percent of the more than 500 Attwater’s prairie chickens 

observed from June 24 through September 4, 1937, were in heavy cover 

19
within a mile, generally within less than half a mile of surface 

water....Prairie chickens require abundant shade in summer, for birds that 

were herded from such cover at midday panted vigorously, drooped their 

wings, and showed other signs of discomfort.” 

Toepfer (2003) observed that Minnesota GPC broods began feeding in agricultural fields 

(wheat and soybeans) at about six weeks of age during the day while usually night 

roosting in adjacent grasslands. 

Mortality of broods is typically high during the first four weeks after hatch (Lehmann 

1939, 1941; Jurries 1979). Lehmann (1941) observed 50% mortality by 4−6 weeks, and 

Morrow (1986) observed 62% mortality of APC brood units by 8 weeks. Newell et al. 

(1987) observed that 62.8% of North Dakota GPC chick losses occurred during the first 

2.5 weeks. Lehmann (1939) observed that APC brood mortality was approximately 12% 

after 4 weeks post-hatch. Toepfer (2003) noted that once GPC chicks reach 6 weeks of 

age, survival to 12–16 weeks is 75-85%. Peterson and Silvy (1996) observed the mean 

number of chicks per brood reported for APCs was less (P = 0.0001) than observed for 

GPCs. 

Heavy or persistent rain during the brooding season, predation, and separation from the 

brood are the most commonly reported sources of mortality for APC chicks (Lehmann 

1939, 1941; Jurries 1979). Egg quality as influenced by nutrition of the hen, ability of 

the hen to care for chicks as influenced by hen condition, and the quality of brood rearing 

habitat relative to the abundance of insects required by chicks may contribute to high 

chick mortality during the first weeks of life (Peterson and Silvy 1996, Riley et al. 1998, 

Toepfer 2003). Fields et al. (2006) found that daily survival rates of prairie-chicken 

broods increased as broods aged, and decreased as the season progressed (i.e., late broods 

were less successful). Age of brood hens was also an important indicator of brood 

survival. Survival probability to 60 days was 0.49 and 0.05 for broods reared by adults 

and sub-adults, respectively (Fields et al. 2006). 

Habitats Used Outside the Breeding Season 

During summer, males and hens without broods use areas where shade is available in the 

form of weeds, tall grasses, and shrubs (Lehmann 1941, Yeatter 1943, Baker 1953). 

Svedarsky (1979) observed that vegetation providing dense canopy cover, understory 

openness, and forb abundance were important for GPCs during summer. However, 

Toepfer (1988) stated the greatest difference in habitat use by adults without broods 

compared to those with broods was greater use of shorter vegetation by broodless adults 

during the day, with both groups using predominantly grass or mixed grass cover. 

Kessler (1978) found APCs in the rice belt region of Texas dispersed from native prairie 

cover to surrounding forb-dominated fallow rice fields during summer months. Jones 

(1963) indicated that mid-forb communities were important for GPC day loafing cover in 

Oklahoma. Morrow (1986) observed APCs in the rice belt region using a wide variety of 

cover types during the summer–fall months. Jurries (1979) described summer months as 

a time of wandering for the APC, although Lehmann (1941) observed that once APCs 

found suitable summer cover, they moved little until fall. 

20
Beginning in late August–early September, flocks begin to form which move as a unit in 

their daily activities (Yeatter 1943, Schwartz, 1945, Baker 1953, Kessler 1978, Jurries 

1979). Jurries (1979) noted APC males showed a pronounced movement back to 

booming grounds in September–early October. By approximately November 15, 

Lehmann (1941:25) observed APCs moved to pastures 

“....where food and cover conditions are adequate. Having found such an 

area, they remain until spring. Probably the best way to attract a good 

breeding population, therefore, is to provide suitable food and cover 

conditions during the preceding winter.” 

Morrow (1986) found selection of vegetation types by the APC during winter was 

correlated with vegetation density. Moderate–heavy cover at least 6 inches (15.2 cm) in 

height is generally adequate to provide protection from weather and predators (Schwartz 

1945). The range of flock movements during fall and winter depended on the relative 

proximity of booming grounds, feeding areas, roost sites, and loafing areas (Schwartz 

1945). 

Food Habits

Lehmann (1941:60) summarized food habits of the APC (scientific names of plants have 

been added to Lehmann’s text): 

“The food of adult prairie chickens is about 85 percent vegetable matter 

and 15 percent animal. With young birds the ratio of vegetable to animal 

is approximately reversed. Favorite sources of plant food are ruellia 

(Ruellia spp.), perennial ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), blackberry 

(Rubus spp.), doveweed (Croton capitatus), and sensitive briar (Schrankia 

spp.). Leading animal foods are grasshoppers and beetles. Greens 

(leaves, flowers, buds) are lowest in the diet in November and December; 

seeds are taken in the smallest proportions in January, February, and 

March. Insects are least frequently captured in November, December, and 

January.” 

Lehmann (1941) observed 50 species of plants and more than 65 species of insects being 

consumed by the APC. He indicated native plants were the most important source of 

food, with ruellia being the most important single food (Lehmann 1941). Lehmann 

(1941) also noted APCs used cultivated crops such as corn, peanuts, and rice as food 

sources. Kessler (1978) found APC diets consisted of more than 50% forbs in all seasons 

except fall when peanuts and rice were heavily used. Grasses and grass-like plants also 

were used heavily, but less than forbs. Kessler (1978) also observed seasonal use of 

insects, with greatest use occurring in the summer when insects were most available. 

Cogar (1980) found 74% of the APC annual diet in a predominantly rangeland ecosystem 

was composed of foliage, 18% by seeds, and 8% insects. Forbs were the primary source 

of foliage and seeds in this study. 

Lehmann (1941) observed APCs consuming water only once, despite close observation 

of birds near water and thorough examination of soft mud bordering ponds in inhabited 

prairie chicken-range. However, Lehmann (1941:23, 31) writes: 

21
“The summer movements of prairie chickens to heavy cover near water 

are not satisfactorily explainable on the basis of cover, water, and food, 

but these habitat conditions must be provided where stable populations are 

desired....The balanced prairie chicken habitat should offer a generous 

supply of surface water throughout the year. Although Attwater’s prairie 

chickens may not be dependent on free water for survival during normal 

years...it has been established that their favorite summer range is rather 

well watered.” 

Survival and Mortality Factors

Toepfer (1988) estimated survival of GPCs from hatch to the following May of 

approximately 25%. Horkel (1979) and Lutz (1979) observed 57% and 77% mortality, 

respectively, for color-banded APCs captured during the breeding season in 

predominantly rangeland habitats on private property. Unpublished data from APCNWR 

on the relationship between productivity and annual population change from 1988–1993 

suggested that mortality on the refuge averaged 43% in those years (M. Morrow, personal 

communication). Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom (1973) reported an average mortality of 

54% for banded GPCs in Wisconsin (n = 942), while Toepfer (1988) also working in 

Wisconsin with banded birds reported an average 51% mortality (n = 270). Therefore, 

Toepfer (2003:31) concluded that GPC survival in central Wisconsin averaged 

approximately 50%, with survival slightly higher for hens than cocks. Toepfer (2003) 

reported that preliminary analysis of survival data from radio-marked GPCs was also 

49%, comparable to that of banded birds. Morrow (1986) reported 36% survival of 

known-fate radioed APCs, although this value was not statistically different from 50% (P

< 0.05). 

Factors which contribute to APC mortality or otherwise limit their populations include 

“natural” factors such as unfavorable weather, predators, and disease; and “artificial” 

factors such as cultivation, heavy grazing, burning, and overshooting (Lehmann 1941). 

The last APC hunting season occurred in 1936 (Jurries 1979). Except for hunting, the 

“artificial” factors primarily result in reduction of the grassland habitats required for 

prairie-chickens, although ill-timed agricultural operations may cause mortality of nesting 

hens and broods (Jurries 1979, Morrow 1986, Toepfer 2003). Encroachment of woody 

vegetation in the APC range has resulted in dramatic declines in habitat (Lehmann 1941, 

McKinney 1996). Lehmann (1941:36) observed: 

“The encroachment of mesquite, live oak, various acacias, and other kinds 

of brush onto open prairie land has been an extremely important factor in 

reducing the range and doubtless the numbers of Attwater’s prairie 

chickens....Within the memory of living men extensive prairies have been 

transformed into brush jungles.” 

A number of studies have identified adverse weather as a direct mortality factor for nests 

and young broods (Lehmann 1939, 1941; Schwartz 1945; Jurries 1979; Svedarsky 1979; 

Lawrence 1982; Svedarsky 1988; Morrow et al. 1996), although Peterson and Silvy 

(1994) found no relationship between spring precipitation variables they examined and 

proportional changes in APC populations. Other adverse weather conditions that tend to 

22
have a more local impact include hurricanes and tropical storms, hail, and drought 

(Lehmann 1939, 1941, 1968). 

Predators of APC include red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaiciencis), white-tailed hawks (B. 

albicaudatus), peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), Cooper’s hawks (Accipiter cooperi),

great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus), coyotes, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, domestic dogs 

and cats, and red imported fire ants for hatching chicks (Lehmann 1941; Jurries 1979; M. 

Morrow, APCNWR, unpublished data). Toepfer (2003) reported 69.9% of observed 

GPC predation was by raptors and 30.4% by mammals. Toepfer (1988) indicated only 

perching raptors could be considered serious predators of wild adult GPCs, and noted that 

the presence of trees in prairie-chicken habitat provided perching raptors with hunting 

opportunities. Toepfer (2003) observed 78.9% of GPC mortality in Wisconsin was 

attributed to predation, unknown causes 13.2%, electric wire collisions 6.5%, auto 

collisions 1.0%, and fence collisions 0.6%. 

Peterson (2004) conducted an extensive review of information available on parasites and 

infectious diseases of prairie grouse. He concluded that macroparasites Dispharynx 

nasuta and Trichostrongylus cramae; the microparasites Eimeria dispersa, E. angusta, 

Leucocytozoon bonasae, and Plasmodium pedioecetii; and infectious bronchitis and 

reticuloendotheliosis viruses (REV) have the potential to regulate prairie grouse 

populations. E. dispersa and E. angusta are coccidia while L. bonasae and P. pedioecetii 

are malarial agents (Peterson 2004). Peterson (2004) also indicated Histomonas 

meleagridis (causative agent for blackhead), Pasteurella multocida (causative agent for 

avian cholera), E. dispersa, E. angusta, and other microparasites which result in high 

mortality have the potential to extirpate small, isolated prairie grouse populations. 

Peterson et al. (1998) observed 4 of 27 (14.8%) APCs sampled were serologically 

positive for P. multocida antibodies. These four birds came from two of three remaining 

APC populations. Purvis et al. (1998) also observed specific antibodies to P. multocida

in 3 of 53 (5.7%) northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) collected from the APCNWR. 

Periodic outbreaks of avian cholera have occurred in wintering waterfowl in coastal 

Texas (Peterson et al. 1998). How easily avian cholera can be transmitted from 

waterfowl to other species, including prairie-chickens is not known (Peterson et al. 1998, 

Purvis et al. 1998). Peterson et al. (1998) found T. cramae in eight of nine suitable 

samples from APC, representing the first report of this parasite in prairie grouse. Infected 

individuals, which came from all three remaining APC populations, had T. cramae 

infection intensities averaging 1,019.3, similar to that seen for T. tenuis in red grouse 

(Lagopus lagopus scoticus) (Peterson et al. 1998). T. tenuis has been experimentally 

shown to affect red grouse body condition, productivity, and survival (Peterson et al. 

1998). Purvis et al. (1998) found T. cramae in 97% of northern bobwhites collected from 

APCNWR. Peterson et al. (1998), Purvis et al. (1998), and Peterson (2004) all stressed 

the importance of determining whether T. cramae limits or regulates APC populations. 

Peterson et al. (1998) also found that one of three APC samples contained D. nasuta. 

They hypothesized that because D. nasuta is particularly pathogenic for chicks of other 

grouse species, its presence in APC populations could explain the low number of juvenile 

APCs surviving per brood as compared to GPCs (Peterson and Silvy 1996). Peterson 

(2004) also stated that while ectoparasites are relatively common on prairie grouse, their 

population-level significance is not known. Adler et al. (2007) documented 

23
Leucocytozoon-infected black flies (Cnephia ornithophilia) feeding on APCs, but this 

hematozoan has not been observed in routine screening of APC blood (J. Flanagan, 

Houston Zoo, Inc., unpublished data). Routine surveillance of APC blood samples from 

captive and free-ranging birds has yielded several positive antibody titers for West Nile 

virus (WNV), indicating exposure to this virus has occurred (J. Flanagan, Houston Zoo, 

Inc., unpublished data). Neither active disease nor mortalities attributed to WNV have 

been observed for APC or GPC in Wisconsin and Minnesota (J. Flanagan, Houston Zoo, 

Inc., J. Paul-Murphy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and J. Toepfer, STCP, 

unpublished data). 

Disease caused by mycotoxins, pesticides, and toxic compounds also could lead to the 

extirpation of small populations (Peterson 2004). Lehmann and Mauermann (1963) 

described an account of several hundred dead APCs near a cotton field that had been 

dusted aerially with arsenic (no longer in use) as a defoliant. Flickinger and Swineford 

(1983) observed that organochlorine, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and metal residues 

in APCs and northern bobwhites from cropland areas were low. 

Home Range and Movements

Annual home range size reported by Morrow (1986) for APC hens averaged 1,470 ac 

(595 ha) while those of males averaged 889 ac (360 ha). Jurries (1979) observed a 

median home range of 726 and 456 ac (294 and 185 ha), respectively, for hens and cocks 

in the rice belt region and 1,490 and 1,796 ac (603 and 727 ha), respectively, in the native 

prairie region, where the primary land-use was ranching. Morrow’s (1986) study was 

conducted at the APCNWR, and is included in Jurries’ (1979) rice belt region. 

Although Lehmann (1939:6) stated, “...Attwater [sic] prairie chickens frequently travel 

several miles in a day....,” radio telemetry data indicate that movements are generally 

more local in nature. Of 49 radioed APCs, Morrow (1986) observed only 10 movements 

that were classified as “extensive”. Eight of these were by hens and averaged 2.3 mi (3.8 

km); the two “extensive” movements by males averaged 1.8 mi (3.0 km). Maximum 

cumulative APC movements observed by Morrow (1986) were 3.5 mi (5.8 km). 

Lawrence and Silvy (1987) observed a maximum movement of 4.4 mi (7.3 km) for a 

translocated APC. Daily movements observed by Horkel (1979) in the native prairie 

region were greatest for cocks in December (1,914 ft, 580 m) and lowest in August (396 

ft, 120 m), while female movements ranged from 429 ft (130 m)/day in June to 1,518 ft 

(460 m)/day in November. Morrow (1986) also observed mean movements by male APC 

were greatest during December (2,845 ft, 862 m) and lowest in August (657 ft, 199 m), 

while non-reproductive (without nests or broods) female movements were greatest in 

March–May corresponding with the nesting season. Average daily movements for all 

females were least during July (700 ft, 212 m). Jurries (1979) described the breeding 

season as a period of limited daily movement. After the booming season ended, the APC 

began summer movements which Jurries (1979:23) described as “wandering.” Daily 

movements during summer were 300−500 yards (300–500 m), but cumulative 

movements of 5−10 mi (8–16 km) were observed. During September–October birds 

moved back to the vicinity of booming grounds (Jurries 1979). 

24
Maximum movements observed for GPCs are larger than observed for APCs. 

Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom (1973) reported 49% of cock (n = 588) and 85% of 

observed hen movements (n = 59) were at least 2 mi (3.2 km) from their “home” 

booming ground. In general, juveniles were more mobile than adults, and hens more 

mobile than males (Hamerstrom and Hamerstrom 1973, Toepfer 2003). Hamerstrom and 

Hamerstrom (1973) reported 38% (n = 156) and 17% (n = 222) of observed moves by 

juvenile and adult hens, respectively, were greater than 5 mi (8 km). Halfmann (2002) 

observed 14% of hens (n = 88) dispersed more than 7.5 mi (12 km) from their natal areas 

prior to their first breeding season, whereas only 3% of immature cocks (n = 71) did so. 

Natal dispersal distance for hens ranged from <0.1−43.4 mi (0.1–70.0 km) ( = 4.3 mi, 

6.9 km) and <0.1−10.8 mi (0.1–17.2 km) ( = 1.4 mi, 2.3 km) for hens and cocks, 

respectively (Halfmann 2002). Halfmann (2002) concluded, based on observation of 

Wisconsin GPCs, little probability existed for juvenile cocks dispersing more than 11 mi 

(18 km) from their natal areas by their first breeding season, and <10% probability for 

hens. However, Toepfer (2003) observed dispersal distances by juveniles in Minnesota 

were greater than observed in Wisconsin or North Dakota, with movements of 15−30 mi 

(24–48 km) not uncommon. Toepfer (2003) observed one Minnesota brood dispersed 

over 1,000 mi2 (2,600 km2). However, Toepfer (2003:30) indicated that juvenile 

dispersal was not aimless: 

“One thing is certain; dispersing young prairie chickens find other prairie 

chickens...In 13 years we have yet to find a dispersing juvenile end up by 

itself.” 

As a result of their social nature and despite the fact that prairie-chickens are strong fliers 

capable of dispersing relatively long distances, Toepfer (2003) observed that they do not 

readily colonize unoccupied habitat. He also stated that range expansion was not likely 

to occur in the absence of increased competition associated with population increases. It 

should be noted that comparable data on dispersal distances for juvenile APCs are not 

available. 

 

Habitat Management

As stressed in the foregoing sections, T. cupido requires grass, forbs and open space. 

Therefore, management for this species must be focused on providing these life requisites 

at a landscape level. Hamerstrom et al. (1957:20) summarized management for T. 

cupido, “Prairie chicken management is primarily grassland management: no grass, no 

chickens.” In general, Lehmann (1941:61) described ideal APC habitat: 

“Optimum prairie chicken range apparently consists of well-drained 

grassland supporting some weeds or shrubs as well as grasses, the cover 

varying in density from light to heavy; and with supplies of surface water 

available in summer. In short, diversification within the grassland type is 

essential.” 

A variety of management tools has been used to maintain or enhance grasslands for APCs 

and GPCs including prescribed burning, grazing, haying, mowing, herbicide application 

(for brush management), tree cutting, and cultivation (for food plots) (Lehmann 1941; 

25
Chamrad and Dodd 1972; Westemeier 1972; Kessler 1978; Jurries 1979; Morrow 1986; 

Svedarsky 1979, 1988; Toepfer 1988). However, because there are so many differences 

in soils, climatic conditions, and management histories that occur geographically and 

temporally across the range of T. cupido in general, and the APC in particular, the focus 

of grassland management for this species must be on the end results desired (i.e., habitat 

objectives), not on the details of how the tools should be applied. Each situation will 

dictate how the “bag of tools” should be employed, recognizing there may be more than 

one approach to accomplish management objectives. However, clear elucidation of 

habitat objectives is essential for proper and consistent application of management tools. 

The following habitat management objectives for T. cupido in general, and T. c. attwateri 

in particular, were identified through review of the literature: 

• T. cupido management areas should be ≥33%, and preferably ≥50%, grassland 

(Hamerstrom et al. 1957). 

• Priority for management should be given to habitats within one mile (1.6 km) of 

existing and historical booming grounds (Toepfer 1988, 2003). 

• Mowing in APC habitat should not occur before July 1 (Lehmann 1941). 

• Prescribed burning should be completed in APC habitat by February 1 (Lehmann 

1941). 

• Availability of grasslands for nesting and brood rearing cover most often limit T. 

cupido populations (Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Morrow 1986, Toepfer 1988). As 

such: 

o No more than 33% (Toepfer 1988) to 60% (Lehmann 1941) of grassland 

habitat managed for T. cupido should be burned on an annual basis. 

o Patches of unburned cover should be as large as possible, but at least 80 

(Toepfer 1988) to 618 ac (32−250 ha) (Kessler 1978) (but see Lehmann 

1941). 

o More than 50% of grassland residual cover (still standing from growth of 

previous seasons) should be 10−39 inches (25–100 cm) in height during 

spring (Toepfer 1988). Cover with OV values averaging 10 inches (25 

cm) should be readily available and well distributed within grasslands as 

nesting sites (Cogar et al. 1977, Svedarsky 1979, Morrow 1986, Lutz et al. 

1994). 

o Cover which becomes rank [>39 inches (1 m) tall (Buhnerkempe et al. 

1984), >25% horizontal litter cover (McKee et al. 1998)] should be 

disturbed by burning, grazing, or mowing (Westemeier 1972, Toepfer 

1988, McKee et al. 1998). 

o Brush must be carefully controlled to prevent excessive encroachment into 

grassland habitats (Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Toepfer 1988, DeHart 2003), 

and trees, especially near booming grounds should be cut down 

(Svedarsky 1979, Toepfer 2003). Less than 25% of the landscape should 

be wooded, with woodlands in scattered blocks (Hamerstrom et al. 1957). 

In order to support booming grounds, open grasslands must be as large as 

possible. At a minimum, open grasslands of >1,480 ac (600 ha), and 

preferably >2,175 ac (880 ha) should be maintained (Toepfer 1988). 

• Although some disagreement exists regarding the value of food plots in APC 

management, agricultural crops are probably not essential for APCs because of 

their southern distribution (Lehmann 1937, 1941). Where APCs occur, winter 

26
food supplies are generally not limiting, and therefore, agricultural crops are 

probably not essential (Lehmann 1937, 1941). Although Cogar (1980) observed 

only slight use by APCs of available grain sorghum, agricultural crops are usually 

readily used when available (Lehmann 1941, Kessler 1978, Jurries 1979, Morrow 

1986). Therefore, 10−15 ac (4–6 ha) food plots distributed at a density of 

approximately 1 for every 3 booming grounds may be provided (Toepfer 1988). 

Food plots should be carefully monitored for aflatoxin development in crops such 

as peanuts, soybeans, corn, and cereal grains (Fraser et al. 1991). While Peterson 

(2004) found no records of prairie grouse mortality caused by mycotoxins, hot, 

humid conditions characteristic of APC range are ideal for growth of aflatoxinproducing Aspergillus fungi (Reddy and Waliyar 2000, Larson 2002). 

Aflatoxicosis associated with waste corn has caused wintering goose mortality in 

Colorado County, Texas, within 20 mi (32 km) of APCNWR (M. Morrow, 

APCNWR, unpublished data). Birds appear to be more susceptible than 

mammals to aflatoxicosis (Davidson and Nettles 1988). 

• As discussed in Section I.C (LIFE HISTORY/ECOLOGY – Food Habits), the 

importance of forbs and insects in the APC’s diet is well documented. Therefore, 

maintenance of forb communities within grasslands and the insects they support 

(Jones 1963) must receive management priority. 

Lehmann (1939:7) summarizes habitat management for APC: 

“Moderately grazed and moderately burned grassland...provides prairie 

chickens with everything they need in all seasons. It is therefore upon the 

existence of adequate prairie habitat that the welfare of the prairie chicken 

depends.” 

F. CRITICAL HABITAT

Critical habitat has not been designated for the APC. 

G. ON-GOING CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Research 

Prior to the late 1960s, APC conservation efforts consisted of life-history research 

(Lehmann 1941), periodic population surveys (Lehmann 1941, Lehmann and Mauermann 

1963, Lehmann 1968), and protection from hunting (since 1937) (Lehmann 1941, Jurries 

1979). Beginning in 1967 through the present, a multitude of research projects has been 

conducted primarily at TAMU on topics including life history, habitat management, 

predator management, genetics, limiting factors, captive breeding, and population 

supplementation (Morrow et al. 2004). Silvy et al. (1999) provided a review of much of 

this research. In 1969, TPWD initiated a series of research projects that addressed a 

range of basic life history and population inventory issues. This research culminated in a 

monographic work on the APC (Jurries 1979). 

27
Habitat Management 

The APCNWR was established in 1972 to protect and enhance the APC’s severely 

diminished prairie habitat. This refuge contains 10,538 ac (4,265 ha), including 2,500 ac 

(1,027 ha) added since 1998. Most of the recently acquired lands were formerly in rice 

production, and need restoration to provide optimal prairie-chicken habitat. APC 

populations on the refuge have ranged from an estimated 25 when the refuge was 

established to 222 in 1987 (APCNWR unpublished data). The refuge population has 

declined since 1987, corresponding to range-wide population declines (Figure 1). 

Morrow et al. (1996) discussed factors affecting the refuge decline. They observed 

acreage burned within the APC’s core habitat, variability in grassland structure, offrefuge APC population changes, and several climate variables were correlated with APC 

population changes on APCWNR. 

Even though recovery plans (USFWS 1983, 1993) emphasized the need for habitat 

protection and restoration in geographically separate areas, little habitat protection or 

management was accomplished other than at APCNWR until approximately 1990. Since 

then, considerable effort and funds have been spent in cooperative private-lands projects. 

Initially, these efforts were spear-headed by TPWD with Federal aid to States’ dollars 

made available through section 6 of the ESA. Beginning in 1995, an initiative was 

undertaken with the primary mission of restoring native prairie grasslands within the 

APC’s former range. This effort, now known as the Coastal Prairie Conservation 

Initiative (CPCI) is a diverse partnership effort involving private landowners, local soil 

and water conservation districts, the USFWS, the Sam Houston Resource Conservation 

and Development Board, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 

TNC, TPWD, and the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI). Integral to the 

CPCI has been incorporation of Safe Harbor Agreements into management plans where 

desired by cooperators. The purpose of Safe Harbor Agreements is to promote voluntary 

management for federally listed species on private property while giving assurances to 

landowners that no additional future regulatory restrictions will be imposed if these 

species colonize or increase in numbers as a result of management activities. As of May, 

2009, approximately 82,681 ac (33,461 ha) have been enrolled under Safe Harbor 

Agreements for APC management (T. Anderson, USFWS, personal communication). In 

addition, TPWD and NRCS landowner assistance agreements have been implemented on 

several thousand acres for the purpose of restoring coastal prairie habitat within the 

APC’s former range. 

TNC took ownership of the TCPP in 1995 through a donation from Mobil Oil 

Corporation. Since 1985, the APC population on this site has numbered fewer than 50 

individuals (Morrow et al. 2004). TCPP and APCNWR currently contain two of three 

free-ranging APC populations. Both of these populations have been supplemented with 

releases of captive-reared birds since 1996. 

Currently, APC restoration efforts are focused in three priority management zones 

(Figure 3). The 2,396-ac (970-ha) TCPP supports the only population still containing 

wild-hatched birds. Although remnant prairies exist in the area that could be restored 

through removal of woody species [primarily Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum)], 

management potential for this area is limited because of rapid urbanization. Current 

land-use data for this area is lacking. The Austin-Colorado County priority management 

28
zone, which historically supported relatively large APC populations (Lehmann 1941, 

1968; Appendix 1), contains the 10,538-ac (4,265-ha) APCNWR. The boundary for this 

zone represents the 58,193-ac (23,560-ha) priority acquisition area for the APCNWR 

(Figure 4). This does not reflect plans for future refuge boundaries, but delineates an area 

where land acquisition should be focused. Currently, the approved target acquisition size 

for this refuge is 30,000 ac (12,145 ha). The Austin-Colorado County priority 

management zone contains 80% of the occupied range defined by booming ground 

distributions from 1979-1992 (McKinney 1996). Based on most recent land-use data 

available (1990 data from McKinney 1996), the Austin-Colorado County priority 

management zone contains approximately 17,806 ac (7,209 ha) of grass (31% of total 

area). A total of approximately 15,525 ac (6,285 ha) (27% of the total area) are currently 

under grassland management or restoration in this area (Figure 4). 

The 663,670-ac (268,690-ha) Refugio-Goliad County priority management zone also 

historically supported large prairie-chicken populations (Lehmann 1941, 1968; Appendix 

1) and contains the largest contiguous blocks of coastal prairie remaining in Texas 

(Figure 3). The boundary for this zone was delineated by TNC (Miller and Halstead 

2003). The minimum convex polygon delineating 1979–1992 booming ground 

distributions for the APC population in this vicinity (McKinney 1996) is almost entirely 

contained within the zone (Figure 5). This 162,785-acre (65,905-ha) former booming 

ground range currently contains three relatively contiguous grassland blocks totaling 

approximately 50,550 acres (20,445 ha), or 31% of the historic booming ground range 

(Figure 5; W. Harrell, TNC, unpublished data). Currently, 58,948 ac (23,865 ha) (8.9% 

of the Refugio-Goliad priority management zone are under prairie restoration through the 

CPCI (T. Anderson, USFWS, personal communication) (Figure 5).

Captive Breeding 

Mass propagation of most grouse in captivity has proven particularly difficult (McEwen 

et al. 1969, Johnson and Boyce 1991). The first documented attempt at breeding and 

rearing APC in captivity occurred at the TAMU Poultry Science Department (Watkins 

1971). Thirteen male and 13 female APCs were trapped from the wild during December 

1967–January 1968. Two hens laid 10 eggs in spring 1968. Two of these eggs hatched, 

four were infertile, and four died as embryos. During spring 1969, one hen produced 

seven eggs. Three of these eggs were infertile, two died as embryos, and two hatched. 

No data were available on chick survival, but Watkins (1971) observed that none of the 

chicks were as strong and active as expected of precocial young. An additional 10 female 

and 8 male APCs were trapped from the wild in February–March 1970. In addition, 21 

eggs were collected from wild nests that year. Of the 18 adults taken into captivity, 6 

died within 3 weeks. The remaining birds produced 18 eggs, thought to have been 

produced by 2 hens. All eggs were infertile. Eight of the remaining adults eventually 

succumbed to Newcastle’s disease, fowl pox, and injury. Nineteen of the 21 wildcollected eggs hatched, but 1 chick drowned in a water pan of the incubator. Sixteen of 

the remaining 18 died within 1 week post-hatch. 

APC captive breeding was not attempted again until 1992. By that time, the wild 

population had already declined to an alarmingly low level of 456 birds, and an 

aggressive captive breeding program was established to (1) preserve as much of the 

genetic representation of the wild stock remaining as possible, and (2) provide stock to 

29
re-populate depleted or extirpated populations. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, after working 

with GPCs during the previous year, received 4 clutches totaling 49 eggs (1 clutch from 

APCNWR and 3 from what is now TCPP). While hatchability of the eggs was good 

(86%), the chicks proved very difficult to rear. Only 5 (3 females, two males) of the 42 

hatched chicks survived to the following breeding season. While previous rearing 

attempts with GPC chicks reported reduced survivability related to feeding problems 

during the first few days of life (Kruse 1984), most problems experienced at Fossil Rim 

during this first year were related to development of enteritis (an inflammation of the 

intestines). Various attempts at antibiotic therapy were ineffective. 

More wild collected eggs (29) were transported to Fossil Rim in 1993. However, 15 eggs 

were infertile, including 1 entire clutch from APCNWR. Of the 14 remaining eggs, 12 

hatched. Additionally, 50 eggs (30 viable) produced by chicks reared in 1992 resulted in 

26 chicks. However, despite aggressive treatment by Fossil Rim staff, enteritis continued 

to be problematic with respect to chick survival. 

In part due to recommendations resulting from a population and habitat viability analysis 

conducted for the APC (Seal 1994) to substantially expand the captive breeding effort, 

two additional facilities began rearing APCs in 1994. Twenty-three wild collected eggs 

were provided to the TAMU Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and 26 to the 

Houston Zoo. TAMU had been working with GPCs since 1991. The Houston Zoo also 

had previous experience with GPCs. In addition, Fossil Rim continued to rear APC from 

their captive flock. The addition of more insects to the chick diet appeared to improve 

chick survival. Overall, 36 chicks were reared to 8 weeks from 52 hatched eggs. 

The San Antonio Zoo was added as a breeding facility in 1996. They received breeding 

stock from other facilities, 2 wild-caught males, and 1 clutch of 12 eggs from APCNWR. 

Five chicks were reared to eight weeks of age from these eggs. San Antonio experienced 

periodic mortalities of older chicks and adults over the next two years from a Clostridial

enteritus. After intensive research, it was concluded that soil in the breeding pens was 

contaminated with the Clostridium bacterium causing the observed enteritis deaths. 

Therefore in 1998, all APC were removed from the San Antonio facility to allow for 

complete sterilization of pen infrastructure and substrate. No mortalities from Clostridial

enteritis have been observed at that facility since. Sea World of Texas, the Abilene Zoo, 

and the Caldwell Zoo were added as breeding facilities in 1999, 2000, and 2002, 

respectively. As of December 2008, approximately 50% of the captive flock was housed 

at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (H. Bailey, APC SSP Coordinator, Houston Zoo, Inc., 

personal communication) (Figure 6). Additional breeding facilities are being sought to 

dilute the risk of a potential catastrophe to the breeding program and to increase the 

capacity of the program to produce more birds for release into suitable habitats. 

In summary, a total of 175 eggs (representing 14 clutches) and 9 males were collected 

from wild populations for inclusion in the captive breeding program during 1992–1998. 

Because not all of these founders survived to contribute offspring, and conservative 

assumptions were made about the relatedness of founder individuals, the captive 

population was derived from 19 founders representing 8.5 founder genome equivalents in 

order to preserve representation of the wild populations. 

30
31

Comparing the survivorship at various stages of the APC captive breeding process with 

two GPC mass propagation efforts, the APC program has performed comparably to 

Kruse (1984) and substantially better than McEwen et al. (1969) with respect to egg 

viability, hatchability, and chick survival (Figure 7). However, the average 12 eggs/hen 

observed in the APC program is substantially less than the average 23 eggs/hen observed 

by Kruse (1984) (Figure 8). However, progress has been made in recent years with 

regard to increasing eggs/hen in the APC program (Figure 8). In 2008, an average 18 

APC eggs/hen were produced, equaling those produced by GPC hens in the last year of 

Kruse’s (1984) study. This increase was no doubt due in part to changes in breeder and 

chick diet formulations recommended by nutritionists with the Fort Worth Zoo and 

Mazuri Exotic Animal Nutrition, Land O’ Lakes, Inc. beginning in 2005. 

Medical issues most commonly encountered by the APC breeding program include poor 

chick survival during the first days post-hatch, enteritis (particularly among young 

chicks), wryneck in newly hatched chicks, dispharynxiasis, capillariasis, leg rotations 

among growing chicks, curled toes, self-induced trauma from collision with pen 

structures, gastrointestinal tract obstruction by impacted vegetation, and 

reticuloendotheliosis viruses (J. Flanagan, DVM, APC Recovery Team Veterinary 

Advisor, Houston, Zoo, Inc., personal communication). Development of protocols for 

prophylactic treatment of macroparasites has largely minimized their impacts on the 

captive flock. Although both enteritis and leg rotations may have multiple causes, 

research currently focused on nutritional quality of

breeder and chick diets will hopefully lead to reductions in the incidence of these 

maladies. Wryneck also results from various etiologies, but analysis of historic captivebreeding records strongly suggests a genetic influence (K. Willis, APC SSP Small 

Populations Advisor, Minnesota Zoo, personal communication). 

Approximately 34% of hatched APC chicks die during the first 10 days of life (Figure 9) 

(K. Willis, APC SSP Small Populations Advisor, Minnesota Zoo, unpublished data). 

Cause of death for these chicks is most commonly attributed to enteritis or “failure to 

thrive.” Johnson and Boyce (1991) observed 85% mortality of sage grouse 

(Centrocercus urophasianus) chicks produced by captive hens within a few days of 

hatch. Most of these deaths were attributed to peritonitis (Johnson and Boyce 1991). In 

contrast, 84% of chicks collected from the wild, or produced from wild-collected eggs 

survived 7−9 weeks. These authors speculated that inadequate hen diets in captivity may 

have contributed to low chick viability. Kruse (1984) observed that 78% of mortality 

observed in their GPC propagation program occurred during the first week of life, and 

was usually associated with the chick’s reluctance to eat. Drake (1994) and Griffin 

(1998) stressed the importance of insects in the diet to survival of captive APC chicks. 

The importance of insects in the diet of other captive-reared gallinaceous species, 

especially early in chick growth, has also been observed (e.g., Thomas 1987, Johnson and 

Boyce 1990). Johnson and Boyce (1990) observed that 25 sage grouse chicks hatched in 

captivity not provided with insects all died within 4−10 days, whereas all chicks provided 

with insects survived the initial 10 days. 

The inability to effectively manage major outbreaks of reticuloendotheliosis viruses, 

which have occurred in recent years at San Antonio Zoo and Fossil Rim Wildlife Center 

has severely hampered APC propagation efforts. Research continues on the etiology, 
testing protocol, and management of REV. Efforts to date to develop a vaccine for this 

disease have been unsuccessful (E. Collison, College of Veterinary Medicine, Western 

University, personal communication). 

Reticuloendotheliosis viruses were first diagnosed in GPCs at TAMU in September 1993 

(Drew et al. 1998). Initial testing of captive GPCs and APCs at TAMU in December 

1994 revealed that >50% of the flock were viremic (Drew et al. 1998). Although 

reticuloendotheliosis viruses were ultimately detected at the Houston Zoo and Fossil Rim 

a year or two later, monitoring efforts precipitated by experiences and research efforts at 

TAMU prevented the disease from spreading beyond a few birds at each facility until 

2002. In 2002, a reticuloendotheliosis virus outbreak coupled with an outbreak of avian 

pox at San Antonio Zoo ultimately required de-population of their flock to affect control. 

Fossil Rim experienced an outbreak of reticuloendotheliosis virus and avian pox in 

November, 2003, which also proved very difficult to contain using the standard test and 

cull protocol. 

32
Figure 6. December 2008 distribution of captive Attwater’s prairie-chickens by location (n = 182). 

Fossil Rim

50%

Caldwell

4%

Abilene

21%

Houston

12%

San Antonio

4%

Sea World

6%

TAMU

3%

33
Figure 7. Comparison of Attwater’s and greater prairie-chicken mass propagation efforts. 

34
35

Figure 8. Comparison of Attwater’s (1996−2008) and greater prairie-chicken (1972−75) (Kruse 1984) captive egg p
Figure 9. Captive Attwater’s prairie-chicken mortality during the first month post-hatch (K. Willis, APC SSP Smal

Minnesota Zoo, unpublished data). 

0

0.010.020.030.040.050.060.07

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

Proportion Dying

Days Post-Hatch

36
Population Supplementation 

By 1995, the captive flock had grown to a point that 13 excess males were available for a 

pilot release at APCNWR. From 1995−2008, a total of 1,471 captive-reared APCs has 

been released at APCNWR, TCPP, and a private ranch in Goliad County, Texas (Figure 

10). Most of these birds have been fitted with radio transmitters (<3% of body mass) 

using necklace or poncho attachments (Amstrup 1980) to facilitate evaluation of postrelease survival. Release candidates, surplus to the captive breeding program as 

determined using SPARKS (www.isis.org) and Population Management 2000 (Pollak et 

al. 2002) software, were placed in 30 X 50 ft (9.1 X 15.2 m) holding pens at the release 

site to recover from the stress of transport and to acclimate to release site surroundings. 

At the end of the acclimation period, pen doors were opened and birds generally allowed 

to exit at their own pace. Food and water were provided outside the release pens for up 

to 30 days post-release to allow for a gradual transition to a natural diet. Findings to date 

suggest: (1) mortality during the first 30 days was more than 5 times higher in birds 

acclimated for 3 days versus 14 days (P < 0.005); (2) birds released during seasons when 

migrant raptors were present (1 October–19 April) experienced 1.9 times higher mortality 

during the first 30 days than those released when migrant raptors were absent (P < 

0.005); and (3) no difference (P > 0.05) has been detected in post-release survival 

attributable to the age of birds at release (after hatch-year versus hatch-year) (APCNWR, 

unpublished data). 

Lockwood et al. (2005) observed movements and monthly ranges of released APCs were 

similar to those of wild APCs. Lockwood (1998) also observed use of habitat structure 

by released birds was comparable to wild birds observed by Morrow (1986) and Horkel 

(1979). Hess (2004) observed no difference in flight speed between pen-reared APCs 

released at APCNWR and wild GPCs from Kansas and Minnesota, but observed that wild 

GPCs flew farther when flushed than pen-reared APCs ( ≥ 250 m versus ≤ 97 for GPCs 

and APCs, respectively). Hess (2004) observed wild GPCs and APCs >365 days postrelease flushed at greater distances from humans than those <90 days post-release and 

GPCs flushed at longer distances from a dog than released APCs. However, with 

reference to T. cupido, Oberholser writes in The Bird Life of Texas (1974:265): 

“Flight, strong but not protracted, is seldom indulged in except when the 

prairie chicken is suddenly surprised. Individuals or flocks flush with 

heavy whirring of wings; after birds have risen about ten to twenty feet, 

they level off and alternately flap and sail for forty to seventy yards, then 

drop again into the grass.” 

37
Figure 10. Captive Attwater’s prairie-chickens (n = 1,471) released at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildli

Colorado County, Texas, the Texas City Prairie Preserve (TCPP), Galveston County, Texas, and a private ranch in G

from 1995−2008. 

38
Since T. c. pinnatus was extirpated from Texas by 1920, Oberholser (1974) was 

undoubtedly describing flight characteristics of wild T. c. attwateri. Jurries (1979) 

observed that while on day roosts, APCs “...appear to be asleep and often can be closely 

approached before flushing.” Leopold (1944) noted that: 

“A wild turkey does not always flee at the sight of man or his implements. 

Both wild and hybrid birds are quick to recognize the sanctity of a refuge. 

On protected areas, even the wildest gobblers can be approached in a 

noisy and direct manner, as in a car or with wagon and team, without 

causing alarm.” 

Toepfer (1988), working with released pen-reared GPC at the same location as wild 

birds, also noted a reluctance to flush and shorter flight distances in pen-reared as 

compared to wild birds. Leopold (1944) noted that hybrid (pen-reared crossed with 

eastern wild) turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) displayed little aversion to humans 

in contrast to wild stock. Toepfer (1988) observed that differences in behavior between 

released pen-reared and wild GPC were due to differences in body and wing condition, 

strong selective pressures in the pen environment for birds that are poor flyers, and 

learned behaviors reinforced by the pen environment which discourage flying. Toepfer 

(1988) and Leopold (1944) working with prairie-chickens and eastern wild turkeys, 

respectively, observed that pen environments do not alter the ability of these birds to 

recognize predators, but do alter their response to predators. Toepfer (1988) stated that 

wild prairie-chickens respond to predators by first crouching, and then flushing if 

predators get too close. The pen environment conditions prairie-chickens to run rather 

than flush (Toepfer 1988). 

Kaplan-Meier estimates of annual post-release survival for birds released under the 

current protocol (July−October, 10−20 days acclimation) have ranged from 8% (2000) to 

43% (2004) ( = 20%). Since 2003, annual survival estimates have ranged from 10−43% 

( = 21%) (APCNWR unpublished data). Survival of released pen-reared stock has 

typically been low for many species (Roseberry et al. 1987, Toepfer 1988, Hernandez et 

al. 2006, Parish and Sotherton 2007, Siano et al. 2006). Toepfer (1988), in a review of 

studies reporting survival of released pen-reared birds, found post-release survival of 

ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and northern bobwhites (Colinus 

virginianus) ranged from 1−8% and 0−3%, respectively. Siano et al. (2006) observed a 

median post-release survival of only 18 days for pen-reared capercaillies (Tetrao 

urogallus), and Parish and Sotherton (2007) observed 3% annual survival of pen-reared 

grey partridge (Perdix perdix). Toepfer et al. (1990) noted that of upland game, prairie 

grouse have the poorest record with regard to establishment of populations with 

translocated birds. Toepfer (1988) reported that 90% of released pen-reared GPCs were 

dead within 90 days, and none survived 120 days. Survival of released APCs to 120 days 

through 2007 averaged 48%, ranging from 76% in 1996 to a low of 22% in 1999 

(APCNWR, unpublished data). 

Despite higher mortality observed in released pen-reared birds compared to wild cohorts, 

enough have survived to produce viable nests during the spring following release. 

Number of nests from released birds has ranged from two in 2001 to 29 in 2008 

(APCNWR, unpublished data). However, documented survival of offspring from these 

39
nests has been extremely poor to non-existent (Lockwood et al. 2005; APCNWR, 

unpublished data). Nesting success has been enhanced by installation of predator 

deterrent fences around most nests since 2000 (J. Toepfer, Society of Tympanuchus 

Cupido Pinnatus, and M. Morrow, APCNWR, unpublished data). Nesting success at 

APCNWR from 2000–2004 averaged 64% for fenced nests (n = 36) and 0% for unfenced 

nests (n = 9) (APCNWR, unpublished data). In 2003, intensive observations on 8 broods 

at the APCNWR found no chicks survived past 11 days post-hatch (APCNWR, 

unpublished data). Several chicks were found dead or dying at night roosts, suggesting 

that predation was not the sole cause of chick mortality. 

This type of mortality has also been observed in wild GPCs, but with much lower 

incidence (J. Toepfer, STCP, personal communication). Previous attempts to allow 

captive APC hens to parent-rear their chicks have ended in failure unless the brood was 

confined to a relatively small space (Drake 1994; J. Carviotis, Houston Zoo, Inc., and N. 

Silvy, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, TAMU, personal communication). 

Increased, although still limited, chick survival was achieved at APCNWR during 2003-

2008 by confining hens with their broods to an approximately 4 x 8 x 2-ft (1.2 x 2.4 x 

0.6–m) pen immediately after hatch. These broods were provided insects (collected from 

area herbaceous vegetation) and water (in most cases) ad libitum, and released with the 

hen at approximately 2−4 weeks post-hatch. A limited number of similarly-aged chicks 

hatched in captivity were also added to confined APCNWR broods to evaluate the 

efficacy of artificially increasing the number of chicks/brood, especially for smaller 

broods. The limited evaluation of this technique to date suggests that this technique may 

be useful in future recovery activities (APCNWR, unpublished data). Poor survival of 

chicks produced by released captive-reared APCs is currently the single-most factor 

limiting significant progress toward recovery. 

Poor productivity in other species of released captive-reared birds has been observed 

(Leopold 1944). Leopold (1944) observed differences in the size of the brain, pituitary, 

and adrenals of domestic-strain and wild turkey poults, and Liukkonen-Anttila (2001) 

observed differences in gut dimensions and liver weights of wild and captive grey 

partridge (Perdix perdix) and capercallie (Tetrao urogallus). Liukkonen-Anttila 

(2001:37) stated that “According to Dahlgren (1987) the effects of an insufficient diet 

during growth may last until the first breeding season.” Grindstaff et al. (2005) suggested 

that resource limitation may have transgenerational effects on immune function. 

Lochmiller et al. (1993) found that deficiencies in northern bobwhite (Colinus 

virginianus) chick diets can lead to atrophy or suppressed development of primary and 

secondary lymphoid organs. Thomas (1987) speculated that survival of captive-reared 

birds in the wild may depend on a digestive system conditioned anatomically and 

physiologically to bulky, low quality diets as compared to commercial diets designed for 

maximum digestibility. Thomas (1987) also hypothesized that providing monotypic, 

nutrient-dense commercial rations may preclude development of optimal foraging and 

food selection behaviors needed for survival in the wild. These observations suggest that 

anatomical, physiological, and behavioral changes attributable to the captive environment 

may contribute to poorer survival and reproduction of released pen-reared birds 

compared to wild birds. 

40
H. REASONS FOR LISTING/CURRENT THREATS 

Section 4(a)(1) of the 1973 ESA (50 CFR 17.11) requires a five-factor analysis of threats 

to determine whether any species is threatened or endangered. A general discussion of 

threats facing APC within this five-factor framework is presented in the following 

sections. This five-factor analysis is also used in Section II.D (Reduction or Alleviation 

of Threats) of this plan as a framework for evaluating how proposed recovery actions 

address recognized threats. 

Factor A: The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of 

habitat or range. 

Loss of grassland habitat is the overwhelming factor for T. cupido population declines 

and range contraction (Svedarsky et al. 2000). Remaining populations have become 

geographically fragmented and genetically isolated (Toepfer 2003; Johnson et al. 2003, 

2004). This scenario, observed at the continental scale, was manifested regionally with 

regard to the APC (Lehmann 1941, Jurries 1979, Lawrence and Silvy 1980, McKinney 

1996, Morrow et al. 2004, Silvy et al. 2004). Smeins et al. (1991) estimated <1% of the 

APC’s coastal prairie grasslands remain in relatively pristine condition. Small, isolated 

populations were subjected to genetic drift and the vagaries of environmental and 

demographic stochasticity so that currently only three extremely small populations 

remain (Figures 1, 2). The free-ranging APC populations are currently maintained only 

as a result of population supplementation with captive-reared birds. 

Factor B: Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational 

purposes. 

Overharvesting was undoubtedly an historical threat, at least at the local population scale 

(Lehmann 1941, Oberholser 1974). Lehmann (1941) indicated prairie-chicken shoots 

began in early July when broods would have been particularly vulnerable, and continued 

through fall and winter. However, the last legal hunting season was held in 1936 (Jurries 

1979). Currently, illegal take by dove, quail, and waterfowl hunters is a possible threat. 

Factor C: Disease or predation. 

Disease. Peterson (2004) provided an extensive overview of information available on 

parasites and infectious diseases of prairie grouse, including the APC. This overview 

was summarized previously in Section I.E (Survival and Mortality Factors). Briefly, 

Peterson (2004) concluded that macroparasites Dispharynx nasuta and Trichostrongylus 

cramae; microparasites Eimeria dispersa, E. angusta, Leucocytozoon bonasae, and 

Plasmodium pedioecetii; and infectious bronchitis and reticuloendotheliosis viruses have 

the potential to regulate prairie grouse populations. Peterson (2004) also indicated 

Histomonas meleagridis (causative agent for blackhead), Pasteurella multocida, E. 

dispersa, E. angusta, and other microparasites which result in high mortality have the 

potential to extirpate small, isolated prairie grouse populations. 

Positive serologic tests for P. multocida, and infestations of T. cramae and D. nasuta

have been documented from wild APC samples (Peterson et al. 1998). Diligent 

prophylaxis in the captive setting is required to prevent significant mortality from D. 

41
nasuta (J. Flanagan, Houston Zoo, Inc., personal communication). Reticuloendotheliosis 

viruses remain problematic in captivity (see Section I.G. Captive Breeding). 

reticuloendotheliosis viruses have been documented in free-ranging APC populations 

(Drew et al 1998; M. Morrow, APCNWR, unpublished data), but its population-level 

impacts are unknown. Insects are possible sources of reticuloendotheliosis virus 

infections through mechanical transmission of the virus (Davidson and Braverman 

(2005). Peterson (2004) stressed that wildlife managers need ecologically-based studies 

which address the potential significance of parasites and diseases to prairie grouse 

populations, especially for small isolated populations subject to stochastic extinction. 

Hudson et al. (2006) speculated that increased temperatures and climatic disruption 

brought about by global warming will result in increased frequency and intensity of 

outbreaks of some parasite populations like Trichostrongylus tenuis. 

Predation. APC predation, including nests, has been discussed in previous sections. 

Predation of captive-reared released birds is heavy in some years, especially during the 

first weeks following release (Lockwood 1998, 2005; M. Morrow, APCNWR, 

unpublished data). However, survival of released APC has been higher than that seen 

with other similar efforts (see Section I.G. Population Supplementation). Survival of 

released birds still living one year post-release approximates the 50% survival expected 

from wild T. cupido populations. Pre-release conditioning and modification of rearing 

techniques to enhance post-release predator avoidance behaviors may offer promise for 

increasing post-release survival (e.g., see van Heezik et al. 1999, Hess 2004). However, 

survival of broods from released hens in the wild is currently the factor most limiting 

APC recovery, not post-release survival. Current thinking is this poor brood survival is 

related to physiological, behavioral, or habitat quality issues rather than predation (see 

discussion in Section I.G. Population Supplementation). Peterson and Silvy (2004) 

observed that spring breeding success, measured by summer juvenile to adult ratios, 

drives APC population changes. Such ratios are a composite not only of brood survival, 

but also of nesting success. Peterson and Silvy (1996) observed both APC nest success 

and brood survival were lower than those for GPC. Predation likely plays a facultative, if 

not causative, role in this relatively poor reproductive success. Therefore, due diligence 

is necessary in managing predation, especially that associated with reproductive success. 

Factor D: Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. 

As was the case with many species, the APC became endangered primarily due to habitat 

loss that occurred prior to the enactment of current conservation legislation. In general, 

the current legal framework (e.g., ESA, National Environmental Policy Act) provides for 

adequate protection and conservation. However, in some cases agency programs may 

conflict with APC recovery. For example, the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive 

Program (EQIP) not only provides cost share assistance to landowners for management 

practices that improve habitat for APC (e.g., brush and grazing management), but it also 

provides assistance to landowners for practices that degrade or destroy APC habitat (e.g., 

converting native grasslands to exotic tame pasture grasses). 

Factor E: Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. 

Population fragmentation. Small, fragmented populations are generally at greater risk 

of extinction than large, contiguous ones (Shaffer 1987, Fahrig and Merriam 1994, 

42
Frankham et al. 2002, Toepfer 2003). Further, r-selected species like the prairie-chicken 

are subject to relatively high inherent mortality, resulting in volatile, and sometimes 

catastrophic changes in populations when faced with environmental perturbations (Pianka 

1970, Odum 1971). Population and habitat viability analyses conducted for the APC 

indicated a high probability of extinction within 20 years (Seal 1994, Brooks et al. 2002) 

given the small, isolated nature of APC populations. 

Genetics. Genetic variability has been correlated with population fitness and viability; 

isolated small populations lose genetic variation through genetic drift which may then 

result in inbreeding depression or an increased susceptibility to diseases and parasites 

(Frankham et al. 2002; Reed and Frankham 2003; Spielman et al. 2004a, 2004b, 

Whiteman et al. 2006). Bouzat et al. (1998a, 1998b) and Westemeier et al. (1998) 

demonstrated a reduction in fitness associated with reduced genetic variation in a small 

Illinois GPC population. Reduced genetic variation has also been attributed to population 

isolation in Wisconsin GPCs (Bellinger et al. 2003; Johnson et al. 2003, 2004; Johnson 

and Dunn 2006). 

The genetic viability of remaining APC populations, both in the wild and captive setting 

is of interest for conservation and management purposes. Osterndorff (1995) assessed 

genetic variability in the three remaining wild populations during 1991–1994. It was 

during this time that many founders for the captive population were collected (see 

Section I.G. Captive Breeding). Osterndorff (1995) found the Galveston County (TCPP) 

and the Colorado County (APCNWR) populations exhibited genetic similarity indices, 

63% and 30% greater respectively, than observed for Kansas GPCs (i.e., Galveston and 

Colorado County APC populations had less genetic variability than Kansas GPCs) (P < 

0.01). The genetic similarity index for the Refugio County population was not different 

from the GPC sample. Osterndorff (1995) found the composite sample combining the 

three extant APC populations had a higher genetic similarity index than did the Kansas 

GPC sample (P < 0.001). Stoley (2002) examined APC samples collected from wild 

populations during 1936–1965 and the captive flock from 2000 and found that observed 

levels of microsatellite DNA heterozygosity were less than expected, even in the historic 

sample of wild birds. However, the historic levels of observed heterozygosity may be 

higher than reported by Stoley (2002) because this study did not assess potential allelic 

dropout issues, which is a common problem with historic samples when amplifying 

nuclear loci (Miller and Waits 2003). Johnson and Dunn (2006) observed high mtDNA 

control region haplotype diversity (h = 0.912, n = 19) using Attwater’s samples from 

museum specimens collected between 1887-1942, while Palkovacs et al. (2004), also 

working with mtDNA control region, found that a sample (n = 8) of captive Attwater’s 

had the lowest values for three measures of molecular diversity when compared to heath 

hens and greater prairie-chickens. In fact, in a report of preliminary analyses, Jeff 

Johnson (University of North Texas, unpublished data) used mitochondrial DNA and 

microsatellite techniques to assess genetic variability in APC samples collected from 

Colorado, Galveston, and Refugio Counties during 1992–1994. He found that 

“... analyzed as three groups, levels of mitochondrial haplotype variability 

and diversity were quite low, with the exception of haplotype diversity for 

Colorado County... The microsatellite DNA analysis agrees with the 

above DNA results. Compared to a large number of surveyed GPC 

43
populations, the three counties sampled in 1992−1994 had significantly 

low levels of genetic variability based on mean number of alleles 

(P<0.001;...). Based on these results and current abundance trends within 

the remaining populations of APC, levels of genetic variability are quite 

low and will require immediate attention.” 

An assessment of microsatellite DNA (eight loci) genetic variability remaining in the 

captive flock as of April, 2006, compared to wild APCs sampled during 1990−1994 

(when most founders for the captive population were collected) indicated no difference 

(P > 0.05) in allelic richness (4.3 + 0.5 (SE) vs. 5.2 + 0.8 (SE) for captive vs. wild, 

respectively) or heterozygosity (0.696 + 0.034 (SE) vs. 0.642 + 0.067 (SE) for captive 

versus wild, respectively) (J. Johnson, University of North Texas, unpublished data). 

An effective population (Ne) of 500-5,000 breeding individuals has been suggested to 

balance the effects of genetic drift (Franklin 1980, Lande and Barrowclough 1987, Lande 

1995, Franklin and Frankham 1998, Lynch and Lande 1998). Because as few as 10% of 

prairie-chicken males breed (Robel 1970), a prairie-chicken population of >2,750 

individuals would be required to maintain a Ne >500 assuming a 1:1 sex ratio. 

(Roughgarden 1979, Walk 2004). 

To date, there is no direct evidence that APC populations have experienced inbreeding 

depression. Although Peterson and Silvy (1996) reported APC reproductive parameters 

were substantially lower than observed for the GPC, these differences in productivity 

may be lineage specific because similar parameters were also observed when the first 

major APC life history work was conducted more than 65 years ago (Lehmann 1941). 

Thus these differences, while important, may not likely be classified as recent inbreeding 

depression. Further, Griffin (1998) observed no substantial improvement in fertility, 

hatchability, or chick survival in captivity for GPC x APC hybrids when compared to 

comparable non-hybrid groups of GPCs and APCs, although outbreeding depression 

cannot be ruled out in this case (Edmands 2007). A comparison of chicks from wildcollected GPC eggs (n = 27), taken from a Minnesota population that was increasing in 

size (J. Toepfer, STCP, personal communication) yet reared at Fossil Rim Wildlife 

Center using the same husbandry techniques used for the APC, initially showed better 

hatchability and chick survival, but they subsequently experienced the same reproductive 

problems observed in APCs during their first breeding season (low numbers of eggs/hen, 

reduced hatchability, poor chick survival) (O. Dorris, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, 

personal communication). This experiment, designed to investigate the influence of 

husbandry and genetics with respect to fitness-related problems associated with the 

current APC captive breeding program, suggests that husbandry issues are playing a more 

significant role than genetics in limiting survivorship at this time. 

However, it must be noted that current levels of genetic variability in the captive 

population are low and comparable to those observed in the Illinois GPC population 

when Westmeier et al. (1998) documented a significant decline in hatching success 

following a reduction in levels of genetic variability. Therefore, concern still exists that 

genetics may be an issue in the future, and the captive population should be closely 

monitored for any signs that may be associated with inbreeding depression until effective 

44
population size has increased to levels associated with a genetically viable population 

(i.e., Ne>500). 

Inbreeding depression is not the only genetic concern as it relates to the captive flock. A 

number of studies have demonstrated that inadvertent selection associated with the 

captive environment is a serious concern (Snyder et al. 1996, Woodwort et al. 2002, 

McPhee 2003, Araki et al. 2007, Frankham 2007). Selection of traits which make 

animals more fit for the captive environment (e.g., tameness) but less fit when released 

into the wild is often strong despite comprehensive genetic management (Snyder et al. 

1996). Such selection can be manifested within only a few generations in captivity 

(Snyder et al. 1996, Araki et al. 2007). Araki et al. (2007) observed that reproductive 

fitness of fish released from hatcheries declined by approximately 40% for each 

generation reared in captivity. McPhee (2003) found the more generations that field mice 

(Peromyscus polionotus subriseus) populations were in captivity, the more atypical their 

predator avoidance behaviors were compared to wild-caught individuals. 

Husbandry issues. As discussed previously, major biological constraints facing the 

captive breeding program include issues contributing to poor productivity including 

husbandry methods, nutrition, and management of diseases and parasites, particularly 

reticuloendotheliosis viruses. Additionally, having 50% of the captive flock currently at 

one location (Fossil Wildlife Center, Figure 6) has the potential for resulting in disastrous 

consequences to the APC captive breeding and APC recovery programs. The major 

reticuloendotheliosis virus event at Fossil Rim in recent years has heightened the gravity 

of this situation. 

Poor brood survival. Significant progress toward recovery will not occur until factors 

influencing the poor survival observed for chicks produced by released captive-reared 

APCs (see Section I.G. Population Supplementation) are identified and resolved. 

Factors hypothesized as possible contributors to poor brood survival include: (1) habitat 

quality, especially as it pertains to insect availability for foraging chicks, (2) genetics, (3) 

physiological changes attributable to the captive environment, (4) parental behavior as 

influenced by the captive environment, (5) disease/parasites, and (6) stings by the exotic 

red imported fire ant. 

45
II. RECOVERY 

The following sections present a strategy to recover the species, including objective and 

measurable recovery criteria to achieve downlisting and delisting, and site-specific 

management actions to monitor and reduce or remove threats to the APC, as required 

under section 4 of the ESA. This recovery plan also addresses the five statutory 

listing/recovery factors (section 4(a)(1) of the ESA) to demonstrate how the recovery 

criteria and actions will lead to removal of the APC from the lists of Threatened and 

Endangered Species. 

A. RECOVERY STRATEGY 

As described in previous sections, the APC is facing numerous threats at multiple 

ecological scales. Presently, the APC is functionally extinct in the wild, maintained by 

supplementation from captive-reared birds. Recovery efforts defined by strategies 

detailed in this plan must be multifaceted and managed concurrently. For example, while 

more investment is warranted for captive propagation programs, restoration and 

acquisition of potential APC habitat also must be continued. The APC is an r-selected 

species with a historically large population. However, at such currently low population 

levels brought about by habitat loss and fragmentation, and other factors identified in 

previous sections, the APC cannot withstand stochastic, catastrophic events. Since the 

last revision of the APC Recovery Plan in 1993, a core population in Refugio County has 

disappeared, and remaining wild populations are dependent upon releases of captiveraised birds. A better understanding of why other recovery efforts are succeeding is 

necessary as we refine existing and develop new recovery strategies. 

If recovery of the APC is to be successful, three primary action areas must be supported: 

(1) habitat management, (2) captive and wild population management, and (3) public 

outreach. Specific objectives and numeric goals will be identified in the following 

section. These three action areas cumulatively address the threats identified in section 

I.H (Reasons for Listing/Current Threats) of this plan. Specific strategies for addressing 

these threats are identified in section II.D (Reduction or Alleviation of Threats). 

Although only 90 APC currently exist in the wild, habitat management, enhancement, 

and restoration must be carried out to maintain existing high quality grasslands and 

restore degraded grasslands that may serve as APC habitat in the future. If existing and 

expanded grassland conservation efforts (e.g., CPCI) at the right scale [multiple core 

areas >25,000 ac (10,120 ha)] and context (minimal fragmentation, allow for gene flow 

between core areas) succeed, then viability for future APC populations is possible. There 

are very few areas left in Texas that can provide the long-term requirements for APC 

survival. The relict population in Galveston County at the TCPP exists upon a small 

patch [<1,500 ac (607 ha)] of habitat, and by all definitions is non-viable. Prospects for 

expanding this site in a meaningful way for the local APC population are non-existent. 

The APCNWR population has suffered from a variety of threats before and since 

supplemental releases began in 1995. With the westward expansion of the Houston 

metropolitan area and further development pressures, expanding the habitat base from the 

refuge will be a key challenge to recovery efforts. However, support of habitat 

restoration on adjacent private lands should be continued. 

46
Population management addresses needs for the captive and wild populations. 

Approximately half of the captive flock resides at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The 

remaining 50% are spread out across five facilities. Disease, limited space, and differing 

approaches to husbandry practices are all key challenges facing the captive management 

program. If viable populations are to be established in presently unoccupied, but suitable 

habitat, large (>100) numbers of birds at multiple release sites will be required. In 2008, 

a record high of 285 birds were released, but the previous five-year average was only 

116/year. It is clear the captive population management program must be retooled and 

elevated in dramatic fashion if we are to recover the APC. 

Numerous challenges face the wild APC population. Predation, red imported fire ants, 

disease, ectoparasites, accidents (e.g., flying into fences and wires), flooding, 

incompatible grazing, altered fire regimes, and countless other factors are collectively 

suppressing optimal recruitment of the three wild populations. At APCNWR, no 

recruitment has occurred from captive-reared released birds without very intensive 

intervention by APCNWR staff. Evidence suggests limited recruitment has occurred at 

TCPP; however, few brood survival data are available to positively document 

reproduction from captive-reared released birds. Such evidence leads to a core question: 

Do captive-reared birds lack essential physiological and behavioral traits that prevent 

their survival once released, or are there vital habitat requirements lacking that limit 

brood survival and population recruitment? Additional research efforts are essential to 

address these questions. However, conducting meaningful research with broad ranging 

applicability is very challenging given the low population numbers and varied grassland 

habitats at these two sites. Research addressing these questions should be conducted on 

non-endangered GPC populations to the extent practicable. 

An ongoing challenge to recovery of the APC has been difficulty in attracting a large, 

engaged constituency to support conservation of the APC. A focused effort is needed to 

engage both public and private partners in funding opportunities that can be strategically 

used for recovery actions. 

This recovery plan outlines current strategies believed to be critical to APC recovery. 

Goals, objectives, and criteria were derived from information and literature discussed in 

previous sections or were based on the professional judgment of recovery team members. 

Specific observations and assumptions that weighed heavily in the formulation of goals, 

objectives, and criteria include: 

• From a theoretical perspective, a Ne >500 is needed to maintain genetic variation 

within a population (Lande and Barrowclough 1987). 

• Assuming the worst case scenario of only 10% of males breeding (Robel 1970) 

and a sex ratio of 1:1, a population of 2,750 would be required to produce a Ne of 

500. 

• A corollary to the Ne requirement is that small fragmented populations must be 

situated on the landscape so that gene flow among populations is maintained 

(Johnson et al. 2003, 2004; Toepfer 2003) and re-colonization following local 

extinction is facilitated (Fahrig and Merriam 1994, Hanski et al. 1996). 

47
• Prairie-chickens require lots of grass and open space (Lehmann 1939, 1941; 

Schwartz 1945; Baker 1953; Hamerstrom et al. 1957; Cogar et al. 1977; Toepfer 

1988, 2003; Johnson et al. 2004, Silvy et al. 2004). 

• T. cupido management areas should be ≥33%, and preferably ≥50% grassland 

(Hamerstrom et al. 1957). 

• Brush must be controlled to prevent excessive encroachment into grasslands 

(Hamerstrom et al. 1957, Svedarsky 1979:102, Toepfer 1988:484, Toepfer 2003). 

Less than 25% of the landscape should be wooded, with woodlands aggregated in 

scattered blocks (Hamerstrom et al. 1957). 

• The minimum management area size required to maintain a viable prairie-chicken 

population is unknown (Toepfer 2003). In general, prairie-chicken management 

areas should consist of thousands of acres of grass distributed over a landscape of 

several thousand square miles in a fashion that maintains connectivity among 

populations (Toepfer 2003, Johnson et al. 2004). 

B. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND CRITERIA

The goal of this plan and recovery effort is to protect and ensure survival of the APC and 

its habitat, allowing the overall population to reach a measurable level of ecological and 

genetic stability so that it can be reclassified to threatened status (downlisted) and 

ultimately removed from the endangered species list (delisted). This goal can be 

achieved only if threats previously identified are sufficiently reduced or removed. 

Objective and measurable criteria for downlisting and delisting are as follows: 

1. Downlist to threatened status when the overall population maintains a minimum of 

3,000 breeding adults annually over a 5-year period and there is sufficient habitat of 

coastal prairie grasslands (approximately 150,000 ac (60,702 ha)) to support this 

population. These 3,000 breeding adults should be distributed along a linear distance 

of no less than 50 miles (80 km) to mitigate for environmental stochasticity (e.g., 

hurricanes) while maintaining genetic flow. 

 

2. Delist when the overall population reaches a minimum of 6,000 breeding adults 

annually over a 10-year period and occupying approximately 300,000 ac (121,457 ha) 

of maintained or improved coastal prairie grassland habitat along a linear distance of 

no less than 100 miles. 

The Recovery Criteria address the current threats of Factors A, C, and E. Factor A - loss 

of habitat is addressed by providing minimum areas of coastal prairie grassland habitat 

that is maintained or restored. Factors C - disease and predation and Factor E - 

population fragmentation, lack of gene flow, husbandry issue, and poor brood survival 

are alleviated when the population reaches minimum sizes of 3,000 and 6,000 breeding 

adults which are distributed over a linear distance of no more than 50 or 100 miles. 

Specific objectives and criteria for habitat management, captive and wild population 

management, and public outreach necessary to accomplish these recovery goals are: 

48
Objective 1: Maintain and improve 300,000 ac (121,457 ha) of coastal prairie grasslands 

for the APC throughout the bird’s historic range on both private and public lands. 

Lack of habitat is one of the major threats currently limiting APC populations. The 

APC’s prairie grassland habitat has been reduced by an estimated 99% of historic levels 

(Smeins et al. 1991). Remaining habitat has become highly fragmented, making isolated 

APC populations more susceptible to inbreeding, localized weather extremes, land-use 

changes, predation, and disease. 

APC recovery will require a network of large, high quality coastal prairie grasslands 

containing multiple core areas distributed along at least 100 linear miles (160 km). A 

core area is defined as an area of habitat capable of supporting a population of 500 (250 

displaying males), or approximately 25,000 ac (10,121 ha) (assuming a carrying capacity 

of 1 bird/50 ac (20 ha) (Lehmann 1941:7). 

Objective 2: Enhance propagation and release efforts to boost wild populations to viable 

levels, and reintroduce physically and behaviorally healthy birds to their former range. 

(a) Maintain 90% of original gene diversity for 20 years with about 200 birds in 

the captive flock. 

(b) Produce enough chicks annually to release at multiple sites (approximately 

100 birds per release site). 

• Increase capacity of breeding pairs to a minimum of 100 pairs within 

two years, with no one facility containing more than 25% of the 

captive flock. 

• Increase survival in the captive environment so that 50% of eggs 

produced survive to eight weeks of age. 

(c) When number of young available for release exceeds 100, pilot releases of no 

fewer than 30 should be considered on private lands. 

Captive propagation and release efforts must be enhanced in order to boost wild 

populations to viable levels and reintroduce physically and behaviorally healthy birds to 

their former range. Maintaining the integrity of the captive APC flock is crucial for APC 

recovery. Without a healthy, genetically sound captive flock the APC is doomed to 

extinction. 

Objective 3: Establish populations of at least 500 birds in multiple core areas, providing 

for gene flow between populations (see Objective 1). 

Objective 4: Broaden public support and partner in efforts to conserve the APC and its 

coastal prairie ecosystem. 

A lack of understanding and awareness currently exists among the public and other 

groups concerning the perilous condition of APC populations and prairie grouse in 

general. As a result, public support for APC recovery efforts is lacking. There needs to 

49
be an increase in outreach activities to raise the public’s awareness of the plight of the 

APC and its endangered coastal prairie ecosystem. Explaining why the APC has 

declined, what challenges it faces for recovery, and why it is important to save this 

imperiled bird will increase support for recovery of the APC. 

C. NARRATIVE OUTLINE OF RECOVERY ACTIONS 

This section lists the site-specific actions necessary to accomplish goals and objectives 

outlined in Section II.B (Goals, Objectives, and Criteria). Priority 1 actions include 

activities that must be taken to prevent extinction or prevent irreversible population 

declines in the foreseeable future. Priority 2 actions include activities that must be taken 

to prevent a significant decline in APC populations or habitat quality, or to prevent some 

other significant negative impact short of extinction. Priority 3 actions include all other 

activities necessary to accomplish full recovery. 

1. Continue to maintain and improve at least 300,000 ac (121,457 ha) of coastal prairie 

habitat for the APC throughout the bird’s historic range through the CPCI and other 

habitat improvement projects on both private and public lands. 

1.1. Create a network of large, high quality coastal prairie habitats containing 

multiple core areas maintained compatibly with APC occupation and distributed 

along >100 linear miles (160 km). A core area is an area of suitable habitat 

capable of supporting a population of 500 (250 displaying males) [approximately 

25,000 ac (10,121 ha) assuming a carrying capacity of 1 bird/50 ac (20 ha) 

(Lehmann 1941:7)] (Priority 1). 

1.2. Coastal prairie habitats compatible with APC occupation should be 

interconnected through grassland corridors (1–3 miles [1.6-4.8 km] wide) within 

the APC’s historic range to allow for dispersal and genetic exchange and to 

hedge against environmental stochasticity (e.g., hurricanes) (Toepfer 2003). 

Areas such as national wildlife refuges (e.g., APCNWR, Aransas NWR, Texas 

Mid-Coast NWR Complex, and Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex), TNC 

preserves (e.g, Mad Island, TCPP), and private lands will be pivotal in making 

these grassland corridors a reality. To maximize benefits for APC recovery, 

management priority should be given to habitats in close proximity to existing 

populations or future release sites (Priority 1). 

1.2.1. Cultivate partnerships with managers of existing grasslands currently 

under public (e.g., Aransas, Texas Mid-Coast, and Texas Chenier Plain 

National Wildlife Refuges, TPWD Mad Island Wildlife Management 

Area or NGO (e.g., Mad Island Preserve) ownership to encourage 

management consistent with APC habitat requirements (see 1.3) 

(Priority 1). 

1.2.2. Cultivate partnerships with private landowners through mechanisms 

listed under 1.4 (Priority 1). 

1.3. Manage and monitor progress on public lands to maintain, improve, and/or 

restore native prairie grasslands as APC habitat by: 

1.3.1. Grazing to maintain clumped grass/forb structure (Priority 1).

50
1.3.2. Controlling brush and exotic plants (Priority 1).

1.3.3. Using prescribed burning to control brush encroachment and maintain 

grass/forb community (Priority 1). 

1.3.4. Maintaining and restoring natural hydrology to reduce nest flooding 

(Priority 1). 

1.3.5. Planting food plots to provide supplemental winter foods and brood 

habitat (Priority 1).

1.3.6. Mowing as necessary to control vegetation density (Priority 2). 

1.3.7. Restoring formerly farmed fields to native grass species (Priority 1). 

1.3.8. Monitoring and managing sympatric wildlife species giving priority to 

APC (Priority 3). 

1.3.9. Controlling exotic wildlife species (Priority 1). 

1.3.10. Prohibiting introductions of exotic wildlife species on public lands (e.g., 

ring-necked pheasants, etc.) (Priority 2). 

1.3.11. Managing waterfowl, especially geese, to minimize competition and 

potential for disease transmission (Priority 1). 

1.3.12. Controlling public use to prevent APC disturbance (Priority 1). 

1.4. Secure additional habitat through: 

1.4.1. Acquisition of additional refuge lands including at least 20,000 ac (8,097 

ha) to the existing APCNWR through a combination of fee simple and 

long-term easement acquisitions from willing sellers (Priority 1). 

1.4.2. Private land easements (Priority 1). 

1.4.3. Safe harbor agreements (Priority 1). 

1.4.4. Habitat conservation plans (Priority 1). 

1.4.5. Mitigation (Priority 1). 

1.4.6. Partnerships with other governmental, non-governmental organizations 

(NGOs), and private land managers (Priority 1). 

1.4.7. Pursuit of other mechanisms/programs for private lands work such as 

NRCS’s Grassland Reserve Program, EQIP, Farm Bill, TPWD’s 

Landowner Incentive Program (LIP), USFWS’s Partners for Fish and 

Wildlife program, etc. (Priority 1). 

1.4.8. Technical assistance, economic incentives, and regulatory incentives on 

private lands through the CPCI program (Priority 1). 

1.4.9. Coordination with NRCS and other governmental agencies to resolve 

conflicting programs that are detrimental to APC recovery (Priority 1). 

1.4.10. Acquisition of grassland additions to existing national wildlife refuges 

within the APCs historic range (Aransas, Texas Mid-Coast, Texas 

Chenier Plain) (Priority 2). 

1.5. Survey status and trends of native grasslands every five years. Identify public 

and private release sites that maximize the probability for success (Priority 2). 

1.6. Cultivate market-driven financial incentives for private landowners that establish 

and maintain APC populations on their lands (e.g., eco-tourism, economic value 

of native grasses, etc.) (Priority 1). 

1.7. Focus recovery actions in priority management zones (Figures 3, 4, 5). Priority 

management zones are areas within the APC’s former range currently supporting 

51
1.8. Minimize collision hazards by reducing overhead wires, fences, and other 

artificial structures to the extent practicable (Priority 2). 

1.9. Conduct research necessary to: 

1.9.1. Determine landscape scale habitat needs (Priority 2). 

1.9.2. Evaluate patch burning as a management tool (Priority 2). 

1.9.3. Evaluate current management practices on release sites (Priority 1).

2. Continue propagation and release efforts to boost wild populations to viable levels 

and reintroduce physically and behaviorally healthy birds to their former range. 

2.1. Maximize effectiveness and production of current captive flock by: 

2.1.1. Evaluating and implementing different rearing techniques (e.g., broody 

hens, APC hens, etc.) to generate physically and behaviorally healthy 

birds (Priority 2). 

2.1.2. Implementing different strategies for maximizing production such as: 

2.1.2.1. Photoperiod manipulation (Priority 3). 

2.1.2.2. Using the expertise of a particular facility to their fullest extent 

(e.g., a facility that has problems getting birds to produce eggs 

receives eggs from a facility that does very well at producing 

eggs, etc.). (Priority 2) 

2.1.3. Identifying and rectifying disturbance issues at breeding facilities 

(Priority 3).

2.1.4. Aggressively managing diseases (e.g., reticuloendotheliosis viruses, pox, 

etc.) and other health issues (Priority 1).

2.1.5. Sharing resources and information among all captive flock facilities and 

recovery partners (Priority 3). 

2.1.6. Evaluating diets for chicks and adults to help address health and 

production issues that may be related to nutritional issues (Priority 1).

2.1.7. Completing the husbandry manual within one year to standardize 

husbandry techniques and strategies, while continually evaluating the 

effectiveness of these techniques (Priority 1). 

2.1.8. Evaluating screening pens which house the breeding flock to minimize 

risk of reticuloendotheliosis virus transmission by insects (Priority 2). 

2.2. Determine and continually monitor genetic health of the captive flock. Evaluate 

APC genetic variability to determine if hybridization with GPCs is warranted. 

Also, explore and consider gene banking (Priority 1). 

2.3. Increase production of birds through increased efficiency at current facilities and 

the addition (dedicated exclusively to APCs) or expansion of breeding facilities 

to allow for a capacity of a minimum of 100 pairs, with no one facility containing 

more than 25% of the captive flock population (Priority 1). 

2.4. Conduct research to provide information needed for captive APC management 

such as: 

52
2.4.2. Reticuloendotheliosis viruses or REV (Priority 1). 

2.4.3. Factors affecting egg production and viability and chick survival 

(Priority 1). 

2.4.4. Rearing environment/methods (Priority 1). 

2.4.5. Factors affecting skeletal/muscular problems (e.g., leg rotations, 

wrynecks, etc.) (Priority 1). 

2.4.6. Management of parasites and diseases (Priority 1). 

2.4.7. Detailed investigation in captivity of the feasibility of APC x GPC 

hybrids as a possible recovery tool (Priority 1) 

3. Establish populations of >500 birds in multiple core areas within 10 years, providing 

for gene flow among core populations.

3.1. Continually evaluate release techniques and implement changes as needed to 

improve survival (Priority 1). 

3.2. Survey APC numbers annually by conducting spring booming ground and brood 

survival counts when appropriate (Priority 1). 

3.3. Expand the release of captive-bred APCs where suitable habitat exists 

(Priority 1). 

3.4. Evaluate translocation of birds as a possible technique for repatriation and 

genetic management of existing populations (Priority 2). 

3.5. Develop regulatory procedures (e.g., safe harbor, habitat conservation plans 

(HCPs)) for establishing additional populations (Priority 1). 

3.6. Protect APC from take by enforcing current Federal and State legislation and 

regulations (Priority 1). 

3.7. Conduct research to provide information needed to determine: 

3.7.1 Factors affecting wild brood survival (Priority 1). 

• Availability of insects as a food source for chicks (including 

investigation of impacts of pesticide drift, red imported fire ants, and 

habitat management). 

• Explore cross-fostering with GPC hens. 

3.7.2 Factors affecting post-release survival (Priority 1) 

4. Engage the public in efforts to conserve the APC and its coastal prairie ecosystem. 

4.1. Develop and implement a comprehensive public outreach plan that will 

incorporate specific outreach tasks to target groups.

4.1.2. Contract with consulting group to develop specific marketing strategies 

to effectively and efficiently engage the public in APC recovery (Priority 

3). 

53
Although numerous outreach activities have been conducted regarding the 

APC and recovery activities (e.g., annual APC festival, numerous 

newspaper and magazine articles, television and radio news clips and short 

documentaries, presentations and development of curriculum materials for 

school groups), outreach remains non-focused. Therefore, these actions 

have likely not been as effective as they could have been in engaging 

public support for APC recovery. With limited funding and personnel to 

accomplish outreach actions, it is imperative that the right groups are 

targeted with the proper tools to maximize effectiveness of these actions. 

4.1.3. Assist in the establishment of an APC partner coalition hosted by an 

NGO and dedicated to supporting APC recovery objectives. A host 

organization with national focus and credibility is needed to liaise with 

corporate partners and manage potential contributions and grants 

(Priority 2).

D. REDUCTION OR ALLEVIATION OF THREATS 

Factor A: The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of 

habitat or range.

Destruction, modification, or curtailment of APC habitat or range is addressed in 

Actions 1.1−1.8 which provide for creation of large interconnected grasslands that 

allow for dispersal and gene flow. This grassland habitat will result from 

management of existing public lands for optimal APC habitat (1.3); addition of 

habitat to the APCNWR (1.4.1) and other national wildlife refuges (1.4.10); and 

partnerships with other agencies and NGOs through such programs as the CPCI, 

GLCI, EQIP, and LIP which provide landowner incentives for habitat restoration 

(1.4.2−1.4.8). Actions listed under 4.1 address the need for developing more support 

for APC recovery, including habitat restoration. 

Factor B: Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational 

purposes.

The hunting season for APCs has been closed since 1937. Actions 1.3.12 and 3.6 

address disturbance and take issues, respectively, that may still remain. Action 4.1 

provides for public outreach to raise awareness of the APC’s plight and its presence 

in the coastal prairie ecosystem. 

Factor C: Disease or predation.

Disease. Action 1.3.11 provides for management of waterfowl on public lands where 

APC are present to minimize potential for disease transmission. Action 1.9.3 

provides for evaluation of management practices at release sites. This action could 

include routine disease screening to assess potential interactions between habitat 

management and disease issues. Captive flock health issues are addressed in 2.1.1, 

2.1.4, 2.1.6, 2.1.7, and 2.4. 

54
Predation. Assessment and management of predation threats are addressed in actions 

1.3.8, 1.3.9, 3.1, and 3.7. Action 1.9.3 provides for evaluation of management 

practices at release sites. This action could include evaluation of predator 

management. 

Factor D: Inadequacy of existing regulations. 

In general, the current regulatory framework provides for adequate protection and 

conservation. Action 1.4.9 provides for coordination among government agencies to 

minimize the impact of programs that may be detrimental to APC recovery. 

Factor E: Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

Population fragmentation. Reduction in the risk of extinction associated with the 

small, fragmented nature of APC populations is a major focus of this recovery plan. 

Practically, the entire plan focuses on increasing the amount of usable APC habitat, 

providing for connectivity among habitat blocks to minimize isolation of populations, 

and the restoration of APC populations to viable levels through management of wild 

and captive populations. Actions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 involve the broad-scale 

maintenance, creation, and acquisition of interconnected, suitable grassland on private 

and public lands to help promote dispersal and genetic exchange. Actions under the 

heading of 1.3 (1.3.1 – 1.3.12) cover specific management activities on public lands 

to maintain, improve, or restore contiguous, native habitat, while minimizing 

competition and human disturbance. Actions 1.9.1 and 1.9.2 call for research to 

determine habitat needs across the landscape and to evaluate patch burning as a 

management tool to form suitable habitat. 

Genetics. Maintenance of gene flow among population segments is addressed in 

action 1.2. Action 2.2 specifies determining and monitoring the genetic health of the 

captive population. This action also specifically directs the evaluation of APC 

genetic variability to determine if hybridization with GPCs is warranted as a recovery 

measure. Action 2.2 also directs consideration of APC gene banking. Action 3 

provides for establishment of at least two self-sustaining core populations with gene 

flow between the populations. Action 3.4 lists translocation as a tool for genetic 

management of populations. Action 3.7 provides for research to determine factors 

that may influence wild brood and post-release survival. This research should include 

an assessment of genetic factors that may affect survival of broods and released birds. 

Husbandry issues. Husbandry issues thought to be limiting APC recovery are 

addressed in all actions under the Action 2 heading (2.1 – 2.4.5). Specifically, these 

actions direct refinement of husbandry practices to increase production of physically 

and behaviorally healthy birds. Action 2.4 provides for research on issues currently 

limiting production including reticuloendotheliosis viruses, egg production, chick 

survival, husbandry practices, skeletal/muscular problems, and parasite/disease 

management. 

Poor brood survival. Action 3.7.1 specifically directs that research be conducted to 

determine factors affecting wild brood survival. 

55
56

III. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE 

The following implementation schedule outlines and prioritizes recovery tasks over the 

next five years. It will be used in monitoring recovery actions and will provide the basis 

for funding for these actions. Actions are identified under general categories, and all 

headings are derived from Section II.C (Narrative Outline of Recovery Actions). This 

implementation schedule ranks objectives and actions, identifies respective responsible 

agencies/groups, defines implementation time-frames, and estimates costs. Actions must 

be continually revised as plans move from implementation to completion. Each revision 

will identify additional actions and studies that will be needed during the recovery period. 

Recovery priorities are defined as follows: 

Priority 1: An action that must be taken to prevent extinction or prevent the APC from 

declining irreversibly in the foreseeable future. 

Priority 2: An action that must be taken to prevent a significant decline in APC 

populations or habitat quality or to prevent some other significant negative impact short 

of extinction. 

Priority 3: All other actions necessary to provide for full recovery (or reclassification). 
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.1 Create a network of 

coastal prairie habitats containing multiple core areas 

Ongoing FWS-ES*, 

FWSAPCNWR*, 

TNC, USDANRCS, 

TPWD, Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI

750 750 750 750 75

1 1.2 Create interconnected 

grassland corridors of coastal prairie habitats between core areas to allow for dispersal and genetic exchange and hedge against environmental stochasticity 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TNC, TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.2.1 Cultivate partnerships on 

existing grasslands under public or NGO ownership 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TNC, TPWD 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.2.2 Cultivate partnerships 

with private landowners 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TPWD, 

USDANRCS, TNC, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

57
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.3.1 Manage and initiate 

grazing on public lands to maintain clumped grass/forb structure 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

300 50 50 50 50 

1 1.3.2 Control brush and exotic 

plants on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

150 150 150 150 15

1 1.3.3 Conduct prescribed 

burning on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

75 75 75 75 75 

1 1.3.4 Maintain/restore natural 

hydrology to reduce nest flooding on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

25 25 25 25 25 

1 1.3.5 Maintain food plots to 

provide supplemental winter foods and brood habitat on public lands 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS* 10 10 10 10 10 

1 1.3.7 Restore formerly farmed 

fields to native grasses on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

USDA-NRCS 

150 150 150 150 15

58
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.3.9 Control exotic wildlife 

species on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

USDA-WS 

50 50 50 50 50 

1 1.3.11 Manage waterfowl to 

minimize competition and disease 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD 

5 5 5 5 5 

1 1.3.12 Control public use on 

public lands to prevent disturbance to APCs 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD 

5 5 5 5 5 

1 1.4.1 Acquire at least 20,000 

acres (8,097 ha) adjacent to APC NWR through a combination of fee simple and long-term easements from willing sellers 

15 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

FWS-Realty, 

TNC 

2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,00

1 1.4.2 Secure additional habitat 

through private land easements 

15 years FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TNC, TPWD, 

Private, 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.4.3 Secure additional habitat 

through safe harbor agreements 

15 years FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

59
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.4.4 Secure additional habitat 

through Habitat Conservation Plans 

15 years FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.4.5 Secure additional habitat 

through mitigation 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TPWD 

20 20 20 20 20 

1 1.4.6 Secure additional habitat 

through partnerships with other governmental, NGO, and private land managers 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TPWD, TNC, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

10 10 10 10 10 

1 1.4.7 Secure additional habitat 

by pursuing other programs for private lands 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TPWD, 

USDANRCS, TNC, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

10 10 10 10 10 

60
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.4.8 Secure additional habitat 

by providing technical assistance, economic incentives, and regulatory incentives on private lands through the CPCI program 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

TNC, TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.4.9 Coordinate with NRCS 

and other governmental agencies to resolve conflicting programs that are detrimental to APC recovery 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES*, 

USDANRCS, 

TPWD, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

10 10 10 10 10 

1 1.6 Cultivate market-driven 

financial incentives for private landowners that establish and maintain APC populations on their lands 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR, 

FWS-ES, 

TNC, 

TPWD*, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

10 10 10 10 10 

61
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 1.7 Focus recovery actions in 

priority management zones 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

FWS-ES, 

TNC, TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

--- --- --- --- --

1 1.9.3 Conduct research to 

evaluate current management practices at release sites 

5 Years FWSNWRS*, 

FWS-ES 

TNC, private 

75 75 75 75 75 

1 2.1.4 Aggressively manage 

diseases and other health issues 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

425 125 125 125 12

1 2.1.6 Evaluate diet for chicks 

and adults to help address problems that may be arising from current diets 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs, 

FWZ,SARC, 

STCP, MAZ 

25 25 25 25 25 

1 2.1.7 Complete husbandry 

manual to standardize husbandry techniques and strategies 

1 year, 

ongoing 

FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

10 2 2 2 2 

1 2.2 Determine and 

continually monitor genetic health of the captive flock 

1 year, 

ongoing 

FWSAPCNWR*, 

STCP*, BFs 

65 15 15 15 15 

62
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 2.3 Increase production of 

birds through increased efficiency at current facilities and the addition/expansion of breeding facilities to allow for a capacity of 100 pairs, with no facility containing more than 25% of the captive flock population 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs, SARC 

1400 900 500 500 50

1 2.4.1 Conduct research to 

determine factors affecting captive breeding, such as REV 

5 years FWSAPCNWR, 

TAMU, 

UofG, 

WUHS* 

50 50 50 50 50 

1 2.4.2 Conduct research to 

determine factors affecting egg viability and chick survival 

3 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

40 40 40 --- --

1 2.4.3 Conduct research to 

determine best rearing environments/methods 

3 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

40 40 40 --- --

1 2.4.4 Conduct research to 

determine factors affecting skeletal/muscular problems 

3 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

40 40 40 --- --

63
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 2.4.5 Conduct research to 

determine how to best manage for parasites and diseases in the captive setting 

3 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

40 40 40 --- --

1 2.4.6 Investigate in captivity 

feasibility of APC x GPC hybrids as a recovery tool 

3 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

40 40 40 --- --

1 3.1 Evaluate release 

techniques and implement changes as needed 

10 years APCNWR*, 

TNC 

100 100 100 100 10

1 3.2 Survey APC numbers 

annually 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR*, 

TNC, TPWD 

5 5 8 10 10 

1 3.3 Expand the release of 

captive-bred APCs where suitable habitat exists 

Annually 

as captive 

production 

permits 

FWSAPCNWR*, 

FWS-ES, 

FWS-NWRS, 

TNC, TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

75 100 100 125 12

64
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

1 3.5 Utilize procedures such 

as safe harbor, HCPs, etc. for establishing additional populations 

5 years FWSAPCNWR, 

FWS-ES* 

25 25 25 25 25 

1 3.6 Protect APC from take by 

enforcing current Federal and State legislation and regulations 

Ongoing FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES, 

FWS-LE*, 

TPWD 

10 10 10 10 10 

1 3.7.1 Conduct research to 

determine factors affecting wild brood survival 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

TNC, STCP, 

TAMU, UT 

60 60 60 60 60 

1 3.7.2 Conduct post-release 

survival research 

10 years FWSAPCNWR 75 75 75 75 75 

2 1.3.6 Mow to control 

vegetation density on public lands 

As needed FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDANRCS 

15 15 15 15 15 

2 1.3.10 Prohibit the introductions 

of exotic wildlife species on public lands 

As needed FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD 

2 2 2 2 2 

2 1.4.10 Acquisition of grassland 

additions to existing national wildlife refuges 

15 years FWS-NWRS*

FWS-Realty

2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,0

65
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

2 1.5 Survey status and trends 

of native grasslands. 

Once 

every 5 

years 

FWSAPCNWR, 

FWS-ES*, 

TNC, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

-- 75 --- --- --

2 1.8 Reduce collision hazards On-going FWSAPCNWR*, 

FWS-ES, 

TNC, TPWD, 

USDANRCS, 

Private 

750 750 750 750 75

2 1.9.1 Conduct research to 

determine landscape scale habitat needs 

5 years FWSAPCNWR 75 75 75 75 75 

2 1.9.2 Conduct research to 

evaluate patch burning as a management tool 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

USDA-NRCS 

50 50 50 50 50 

2 2.1.1 Evaluate and implement 

the use of different rearing techniques to generate physically and behaviorally healthy birds 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

25 25 25 25 25 

66
Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

2 2.1.2.2 Use the expertise of a 

particular breeding facility to their fullest extent 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

--- --- --- --- --

2 2.1.8 Evaluate screening pens 

which house the breeding flock to minimize risk of REV transmission by insects 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

25 25 25 25 25 

2 3.4 Evaluate translocation of 

birds as a possible technique for repatriation and genetic management of existing populations 

In 3 years 

as 

population 

permit 

FWSAPCNWR*, 

TNC, STCP 

--- --- 20 20 20 

2 4.1.2 Assist in the 

establishment of an APC partner coalition hosted by an NGO and dedicated to supporting APC recovery objectives 

5 FWS*, 

NFWF 

125 --- --- --- --

3 1.3.8 Monitor and manage 

sympatric wildlife species on public lands 

Ongoing FWSNWRS*, 

TPWD, 

USDA-NRCS 

20 20 20 20 20 

3 2.1.2.1 Maximize effectiveness 

and production of current captive flock though the use of photo-period manipulation 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR* , 

BFs 

10 10 10 10 10 

67
68

Priority 

# 

Action 

 # Action Description 

Action 

Duration 

(years) 

Responsible 

Parties 

(* = lead) 

Cost Estimate 

($1,000) 

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Yea

3 2.1.3 Identify and rectify 

disturbance issues at breeding facilities 

5 years FWSAPCNWR*, 

BFs 

10 10 10 10 10 

3 2.1.5 Share resources and 

information among all captive breeding facilities and other partners involved with recovery 

Ongoing FWSAPCNWR*, 

FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES, 

FWS-LE, 

TAMU, 

STCP, 

TPWD, TNC, 

BFs, USDANRCS, FWZ, 

USDA-WS, 

UofG, 

Private, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI, SARC 

10 10 10 10 10 

3 4.1.1 Contract with consulting 

group to develop specific marketing strategies to effectively and efficiently engage the public in APC recovery 

5 Years FWSAPCNWR*, 

FWS-NWRS, 

FWS-ES, 

TPWD, TNC, 

USDANRCS, BFs, 

SHRC&D, 

GLCI 

100 50 50 50 50 
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APPENDIX 1. Attwater’s prairie-chicken 1937−2009 population estimates by Texas counties. Data are from Ju

(1937−1977) and Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (

(1978−present). 

County 

Year 

1937 1950 1963 1967 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 

Aransas 1212 902 35 30 10 10 15 14 50 96 35 50 76 Austin 339 200 200 200 284 332 364 330 292 576 498 186 308 326 Brazoria 948 53 20 20 20 40 20 20 20 20 20 20 Calhoun 25 40 15 10 Chambers 220 15 10 2 6 8 8 Colorado 926 350 200 175 186 378 166 144 150 422 324 178 206 186 DeWitt 272 80 12 12 12 12 6 8 8 8 Fort Bend 10 30 35 22 26 92 136 114 148 96 80 78 54 Galveston 332 35 90 130 96 50 148 238 166 100 140 124 132 96 Goliad 4 23 75 216 402 290 260 486 188a 164 80 56 34 Harris 261 123 140 120 78 56 92 92 112 58 16 24 2 Jacks on 35 10 Jefferson 220 85 10 Lavaca 93b Libe rty 10 Matagorda 15 5 Refugio 3030 2100 412 175 310 440 166 192 356 336 530 550 742 726 Victoria 620 200 100 90 112 234 166 224 242 342 218 110 126 64 Waller 64 32 15 20 26 26 26 10 10 10 30 Wharton 75 50 30 40 76 214 108 72 42 24 16 20 Total 8711b 4200 1335 1070 1469 2220 1660 1782 2019 2254 2090 1506 1500c 1718 1584 

83
County 

Year 

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 

Aransas 20 19 22 24 16 22 10 12 6 2 2 Austin 234 246 292 198 114 116 150 106 46 36 48 54 26 10 Brazo ria 20 20 Calho unChamb ers Colorado 184 280 320 218 246 228 242 162 90 90 70 50 34 20 DeWitt Fort Bend 44 48 54 38 32 38 16 8 4 2 Galveston 110 104 66 74 36 48 38 30 16 26 30 26 24 18 Goliad 100 62 84 114 78 34 16 12 4 12 8 0 2 Ha rris 4 Jacks onJeffers onLibe rtyMatagor da Refugio 658 438 646 838 810 340 582 562 246 292 310 330 370 110 Victoria 64 64 112 116 94 48 54 34 20 10 8 2 Wa llerWhart onTotal 1438 1281 1596 1620 1426 874 1108 926 432 470 476 462 456 158 

84
85

County 

Year 

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Aran sasAus tin 2 Brazo riaCalho unChamb ers Colorado 10 14d 24d 8d 18d 20d 20d 22d 42d 40d 20d 32d 38d 52d 50dDeWitt Fort Be nd Galveston 16 10 22d 36d 28d 30d 24d 18d 16d 22d 20d 18d 6d 4e 4eGol iad 16d 36dHa rrisJacks onJeffers onLibe rtyMatagor da Refugio 40 18 12 12 Victo riaWa llerWhart onTotal 68 42d 58d 56d 46d 50d 44d 40d 58d 62d 40d 50d 44d 72d 90daIncomplete survey bJurries (1979) did not include Lavaca County which accounts for a 93 bird discrepancy between his 1937 stated 

reported by Lehmann (1941). 

cEstimate only - survey incomplete dTotals include birds released from captive breeding program eIncludes one wild-stock and one male originally released at APCNWR and translocated to TCPP in January 200
APPENDIX 2. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

ac acre 

APC Attwater’s prairie-chicken 

APCNWR Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge 

BFs APC Captive Breeding Facilities (includes Fossil Rim Wildllife 

Center, Houston Zoo, Inc., San Antonio Zoo, Abilene Zoo, 

Caldwell Zoo, Sea World of Texas) 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

cm centimeter 

CPCI Coastal Prairie Conservation Initiative 

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid 

DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 

EQIP Environmental Quality Incentive Program 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

FR Federal Register 

ft foot 

FWS-APCNWR U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Attwater Prairie Chicken 

National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) 

FWS-ES U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Ecological Services 

FWS-LE U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Law Enforcement 

FWS-NWRS U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service – National Wildlife Refuge System 

(Includes Attwater Prairie Chicken NWR, Aransas Refuge 

Complex, Texas Mid-Coast Refuge Complex, and Texas Chenier 

Plain Refuge Complex) 

FWS-Realty U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Realty 

FWZ Fort Worth Zoo 

GLCI Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative 

GPC greater prairie-chicken 

ha hectare 

km kilometer 

lbs pounds 

LIP Landowner incentive program 

MAZ Mazuri Feeds 

mi mile 

Ne effective population size 

NFWF National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 

NGO Non-governmental organization 

NRCS U. S. Natural Resources Conservation Service 

NWR National Wildlife Refuge 

oz ounces 

PCR polymerase chain reaction 

Private Private landowners 

REV reticuloendotheliosis viruses 

SARC Sutton Avian Research Center 

SSP Species Survival Plan 

86
TAC Texas Administrative Code 

TAMU Texas A&M University 

TCPP Texas City Prairie Preserve 

TNC The Nature Conservancy 

TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

SHRC&D Sam Houston Resource Conservation and Development 

STCP Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus 

UofG University of Georgia 

USDA- NRCS U. S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation 

Service 

USDA-WS U. S. Department of Agriculture – Wildlife Services 

USFWS U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

UT University of Texas 

WUHS Western University of Health Sciences 

 

87
APPENDIX 3. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

aflatoxin Toxin produced by certain fungi. Contaminated food products include cereal 

grains (e.g., corn, sorghum, millet, rice, wheat), oilseeds (e.g., soybeans, sunflowers, 

cotton), spices, nuts, and milk (Reddy and Waliyar (2000). 

allele Form of a gene at a particular locus (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

allelic dropout Failure to detect an allele within a sample or failure to amplify an allele 

during PCR (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). Basically, allelic dropout is a failure to 

detect alleles within a sample that are actually present. This may be caused by 

degraded DNA within the sample, or by problems with testing procedures. 

booming ground Areas where male Attwater’s and greater prairie-chickens gather to 

display in an attempt to attract females for breeding. 

capillariasis Parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the genus Capillaria. 

chromosome The biological structure by which DNA is transmitted from one 

generation to the next (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

DNA Genetic material present in the nucleus of cells which is inherited from each 

biological parent (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

dispharynxiasis Parasitic disease caused by the spiral stomach worm (Dispharynx 

nasuta). 

effective population size The number of adults in a population contributing offspring 

to the next generation. Generally, effective population size is smaller than the census 

size, and sometimes much smaller 

(http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/Effective_population_size). 

etiology The assignment of a cause, origin, or reason for something. The cause of a 

disease or disorder as determined by medical diagnosis. 

gene The basic unit of heredity; a functional sequence of DNA in a single chromosome 

(http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

genetic similarity indices Quantitative measures of genetic variability. 

genotype The genetic constitution of an organism as distinguished from its physical 

appearance (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

haplotype A way of denoting the collective genotype of a number of closely linked 

loci on a single chromosome (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

88
heterozygosity Heterozygosity refers to the state of being a heterozygote (i.e., 

possesses two different alleles at one locus) . Heterozygosity can also refer to the 

fraction of loci within an individual that are heterozygous. In population genetics, it is 

commonly extended to refer to the population as a whole, i.e. the fraction of 

individuals in a population that are heterozygous for a particular locus 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygosity). 

inbreeding depression Reduced fitness in a given population as a result of breeding of 

related individuals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inbreeding_depression). 

lineage sorting Term describing the development of monophyly by genetic drift 

during the speciation process. 

locus (plural loci) The specific physical location of gene on a chromosome 

(http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

mesocarnivores Medium-sized carnivores (e.g., coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk) as 

contrasted to larger carnivores (e.g., wolf, bear, lion). 

mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) The DNA found in the many mitochondria found in 

each cell of the body. The sequencing of mtDNA can link individuals descended 

from a common female ancestor (http://www.dna.gov/glossary). 

monophyly A term which refers to a taxon comprised of members derived from a 

common ancestor which includes all descendants 

(http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/Monophyly). 

outbreeding depression Refers to cases when progeny from crosses between 

individuals from different populations have lower fitness than progeny from crosses 

between individuals from the same population 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outbreeding_depression). 

phylogenetics The study of evolutionary relatedness among various groups of 

organisms (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetics). 

polymerase chain reaction (PCR) A biochemistry and molecular biology technique 

for enzymatically replicating DNA without using a living organism 

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction). 

prairie An extensive area of flat or rolling grassland. 

r-selected In ecological notation, “r” refers to the rate of population growth per 

individual for a given time period, whereas “K” refers to the upper limit (carrying 

capacity) of an environment to support a population of individuals. Therefore, rselected species have evolved life history strategies for rapid growth (quantity) as 

contrasted with K-selected species, which have evolved mechanisms that allow them 

89
to compete for resources when populations are near K (quality). R-selected species 

typically have high reproductive rates with relatively short life cycles (i.e., high 

mortality rates) (Odum 1971). 

reciprocal monophyly Taxons of comparison are each monophyletic. 

stochastic Random or statistical in nature. 

taxon A group of organisms constituting one of the categories or formal units in 

taxonomic classification (e.g., phylum, order, family, genus, or species) and 

characterized by common characteristics in varying degrees of distinction. 

viremic The presence of viruses in the bloodstream. 

wryneck An unnatural condition in which the head leans to one side because the neck 

muscles on that side are contracted (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/wryneck). 

 

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APPENDIX 4. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS ON DRAFT RECOVERY PLAN

AND USFWS RESPONSES 

A news release was either faxed, mailed, or e-mailed to Congressional representatives, 

State and county officials, State and Federal agency personnel, and other interested 

parties including conservation groups, landowner organizations, and private citizens 

explaining how to receive a copy of the draft Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken Recovery Plan 

for review. In addition, courtesy visits were made to both US senators’ offices and 

congressional representative to personally hand deliver a copy of the plan. Copies of the 

draft plan were also sent via e-mail to peer reviewers.

Eight responses were received from the following individuals: 

B.S. Achau 

15 Elm St. 

Florham Park, NJ 07932 

Tierra R. Curry, M.S. 

Conservation Biologist 

Center for Biological Diversity 

P. O. Box 11374 

Portland, OR 97211 

Dr. Michael A. Schroeder 

Bridgeport, WA 

schromas@dfw.wa.gov

Gary Huschle 

Wildlife Biologist, Retired FWS 

honkerharmony@wiktel.com

David R. Trauba 

Wildlife Manager 

Lac qui Parle WMA 

14047 20th ST NW 

Watson, MN 56295 

Greg Septon, Chairman 

Projects and Research Committee 

Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus, Ltd. 

sharptailpoint@earthlink.net

Dr. John Toepfer 

3755 Jackson Ave. 

Plover, WI 54467 

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Thomas I. Meier 

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

Mead Wildlife Area 

S2148 County Hwy S 

Milladore, WI 54454 

The authors appreciate the time contributed by each reviewer. All comments were 

considered when revising the draft. Comments discussed below represent a composite of 

those received. Comments of similar content are combined into general groups. 

COMMENTS AND USFWS RESPONSE

Comment 1: This species is on the brink of extinction because it lives in Texas, where 

endangered species are given no protection at all. The focus is all on development in 

Texas and no species has a chance with the focus on guns and killing and murder and 

hunting in Texas. I think it is a waste of tax dollars to try to save this chicken. Get the 

Texans involved. They shot them all. They should pay to revive them, not national 

taxpayers. Maybe their having to pay to save the species will give the taxpayers in Texas 

some regard for stopping the murder of so many species. 

USFWS response: (1) The Attwater’s prairie-chicken is listed as federally endangered 

under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (32 FR 4001). This Act states 

that appropriate Federal agencies (i.e., Departments of the Interior, Commerce, and 

Agriculture) “...shall establish and implement a program to conserve fish, wildlife, and 

plants, including those which are listed as endangered species or threatened species 

pursuant to section 4 of this Act.” Therefore, not only is it appropriate for the USFWS 

(Department of the Interior) to be involved with the APC recovery program, but this Act 

mandates our involvement. (2) More than 15 organizations (governmental and nongovernmental) and several private landowners are involved in the APC recovery 

program. Many of these organizations and landowners are Texas-based. In addition, 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, an agency funded by the taxpayers of Texas, is an 

active participant in the APC Recovery Team and has provided funding and technical 

assistance for APC recovery efforts. 

Comment 2: The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (APCNWR) is 

currently 10,538 ac and is one of three “priority management zones” delineated in the 

plan. The APCWNR should be expanded to provide more habitat for the species and 

additional large interconnected areas should be acquired to establish quasi-independent 

populations. 

USFWS response: (1) The 58,193-ac (23,550 ha) Austin-Colorado County priority 

management zone, one of the three “priority management zones” described in section 

I.G, contains the 10, 538 ac APCNWR. (2) Task 1.4.1 recommends adding 20,000 acres 

(8,097 ha) to APCNWR, and (3) Task 1.1 recommends establishment of a network of 

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grassland core areas suitable for APC habitat. Task 1.2 recommends that these core areas 

be interconnected to allow for dispersal and genetic exchange. Both task 1.1 and 1.2 

provide very specific targets in terms of acreage and spacing of corridors required to 

achieve the “quasi-independent” status referenced in this comment. Therefore, we 

believe that the plan already addresses this comment. 

Comment 3: The plan should include funding for private land restoration and 

repatriation. 

USFWS response: Funding of $750,000 per year is recommended for Task 1.1 (create 

network of coastal prairie habitats containing multiple core areas). The narrative for this 

task does not specify where funding allocated for accomplishment of this task should be 

spent (i.e., public versus private lands). Rather, the intent of this task is that funding 

should be allocated to restoration or maintenance of habitats most likely in their 

aggregate to achieve the specific acreage and interconnectedness targets, regardless of 

ownership status. Therefore, it is likely that a large portion of any funding applied to this 

task will be spent on private land restoration. In addition, other tasks (e.g., 1.4.6, 1.4.7, 

1.4.8) recommend restoration/maintenance of habitats on private lands through funding 

mechanisms already in place or that could be further developed (1.6). Therefore, we 

believe that the plan already adequately addresses this comment. 

Comment 4: Grasslands must be managed to provide not only mating and nesting habitat 

but also brooding habitat. APC habitat management should ensure that sufficient 

brooding habitat (including forbs and an ample insect base) is available and that it is 

interspersed with nesting habitat. 

USFWS response: In discussing APC habitat management objectives, we stated that 

availability of grasslands for nesting AND brood rearing cover most often limits T. 

cupido populations. As discussed in some detail in Section I.E. (LIFE 

HISTORY/ECOLOGY – Brood rearing), there is a lot of variability in descriptions of 

brood habitat for T. cupido. For example, Cogar et al. (1977) and Morrow (1986) 

observed that APC broods less than 5−6 weeks old used grasslands similar to those used 

for nesting. Toepfer (1988) also observed that non-grass vegetation types were relatively 

unimportant to GPC hens with broods. Newell (1987) observed that GPC hens with 

broods avoided agricultural crops, especially row crops. However, others (e.g., Kessler 

(1978) for APC and Svedarsky (1979) for GPC) have observed that forb-dominated 

disturbed areas are important to broods. Based on the differences in habitat types (grass 

versus forbs versus agricultural crops) reported in the literature for T. cupido brood 

habitat, it cannot be concluded that forb-dominated cover is required as brood habitat. 

Rather, as pointed out in Section I.E. (LIFE HISTORY/ECOLOGY − Habitat 

management) Lehmann (1941:61) stated that “Optimum prairie chicken range apparently 

consists of well-drained grassland supporting some weeds or shrubs as well as grasses, 

the cover varying in density from light to heavy...In short, diversification within the 

grassland type is essential.” The reviewers rightly point out the importance of insects as 

an essential component of brood habitat. We cited several sources in Section I.E. (LIFE 

HISTORY/ECOLOGY – Brood rearing) which establish that fact (e.g., Lehmann 1941, 

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Jones 1963, Savory 1989). This Recovery Plan is not intended to provide a detailed, 

stand-alone, APC management prescription for each life requisite. However, in the 

interest of clarification, we added statements to Section I.E. (LIFE 

HISTORY/ECOLOGY – Habitat management) to highlight the importance of brood 

cover. 

Comment 5: Because much APC habitat is surrounded by agricultural lands and rice 

fields, management needs to address pesticide drift from adjacent lands and its affects on 

insect availability for the APC. 

USFWS response: We concur with this suggestion. This was added under Task 3.7.1. 

Comment 6: The plan does not adequately address why the APC became extinct in the 

wild or why the species remains functionally extinct. 

USFWS response: Section I.H (REASONS FOR LISTING/CURRENT THREATS) 

provides an overview of factors contributing to the demise of historic APC populations. 

While the five factors discussed in this analysis were not ranked in importance, we state 

in the discussion of Factor A and D that the APC become endangered primarily due to 

habitat loss. Further, several of the papers cited in this section point to the importance of 

habitat loss and fragmentation in driving the APC’s historical decline. Relative to why 

the species remains functionally extinct, we stated in Section I.G. (ON-GOING 

CONSERVATION EFFORTS − Population Supplementation), “Poor survival of chicks 

produced by released captive-reared APCs is currently the single-most factor limiting 

significant progress toward recovery.” And in the Section I.H. (REASONS FOR 

LISTING/CURRENT THREATS) discussion of Factor E we state “Significant progress 

toward recovery will not occur until factors influencing the poor survival observed for 

chicks produced by released captively-reared APCs... are identified and resolved.” We 

listed six hypotheses in Section I.H. which may be playing a role in the observed poor 

chick survival. Section II.C.3.7.1. clearly identifies the need for research in this area as a 

Priority 1 action. 

Comment 7: Release efforts are futile without understanding and addressing why the 

species is not surviving in the wild. We would like to see designated funding for research 

investigating the causes of historical and on-going species decline as well as funding for 

adaptive management. 

USFWS response: As discussed in Section I.G. (ON-GOING CONSERVATION 

EFFORTS − Population Supplementation), survival of APC released into the wild has 

been considerably higher than other efforts involving release of gallinaceous species. 

However, as discussed above for Comment 6, this species will not persist in the wild until 

potential factors affecting chick survival are resolved. This is plainly stated in the plan, 

and funding is recommended for such research. However, objectives of this plan will be 

attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary constraints 

affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. 

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Comment 8: It is clear that current husbandry practices are not producing high-quality 

birds capable of surviving and reproducing in the wild. Current rearing practices must be 

improved. 

USFWS response: We respectfully disagree with this comment. Please see responses for 

Comments 6 and 7 relative to survival and reproduction in the wild. As stated above in 

the response for Comment 6, six hypotheses have already been identified as potentially 

affecting brood survival in the wild. There may be other hypotheses that surface as more 

research is undertaken. Only two of the six hypotheses identified deal with the captive 

rearing process. The remaining four address habitat quality, genetics, and 

disease/parasites. 

Comment 9: Rather than spreading funding for captive propagation across seven 

facilities...the performance of each facility should be objectively evaluated and underperforming programs should be terminated. 

USFWS response: The commenter assumes incorrectly that all APC breeding facilities 

receive external funding for their activities. The USFWS feels there is great value from a 

risk management perspective in not holding the entire captive population in a few 

concentrated sites, recognizing that some sites may not have demonstrated proficiency in 

producing and rearing chicks. Task 2.1.2.2 states that captive effectiveness and 

production should be maximized by, “using the expertise of a particular facility to their 

fullest extent.” This task recognizes that not all facilities will be proficient at all stages of 

production. We will be evaluating the performance of each facility and adjusting the 

breeding program accordingly. 

Comment 10: Rearing practices should be consistent and care should be taken to avoid 

human imprinting and to ensure proper habitat imprinting on the chicks. 

USFWS response: We agree that rearing practices should be consistent, and this is 

recognized in Task 2.1.7 which relates to “completing the husbandry manual...to 

standardize husbandry techniques and strategies...” Relative to human imprinting, there 

is no evidence to date that (1) human imprinting regularly occurs, and (2) it has affected 

post-release survival of these birds. As discussed previously, post-release survival has 

been several times higher than reported in other efforts involving gallinaceous birds, 

including prairie-chickens. Finally, with regard to habitat imprinting, Lockwood (1998) 

observed that use of habitat structure by released birds was comparable to wild APC 

reported in other studies. 

Comment 11: If necessary, a new facility should be built in prairie habitat that follows 

successful rearing protocols such as those used by the whooping crane and California 

condor. 

USFWS response: Biology and life history of whooping cranes and California condors 

are dramatically different than Attwater’s prairie-chickens. As an r-selected species, 

prairie-chickens are relatively short-lived with high reproductive potential. In contrast, 

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K-selected whooping cranes and California condors are relative long-lived with low 

reproductive potential. Therefore, it is unlikely that rearing protocols developed for those 

species would be appropriate for APC. The commenter is incorrect in stating that 

whooping crane captive rearing protocols have been successful, if success is measured by 

birds that ultimately result in self-sustaining populations. According to Tom Stehn, FWS 

Whooping Crane Recovery Coordinator, of 41 nests produced by captive birds, only 4 

chicks have fledged. Three distinct protocols have been used for releasing whooping 

cranes into the wild. Under the current protocol, “Survival of released birds is much 

better, and the birds are pairing and nesting normally... However, at the latter stages of 

incubation, the cranes are abandoning the nests...” (T. Stehn, personal communication). 

As indicated in the plan (e.g., Task 2.4), we are open to new rearing protocols, and plan 

to add another breeding facility (e.g., Task 2.3) which will employ a substantially 

different rearing approach as soon as funding can be secured. 

Comment 12: Current release methods should be re-evaluated and every effort should be 

made to ensure that captive birds are adapted to the wild, including potential use of 

greater prairie-chicken surrogate mothers. 

USFWS response: Continual evaluation of release methods has been a corner-stone of 

the APC release program since its inception. This is addressed in the plan as Task 3.1. 

While conducting research on the potential for using greater-prairie chickens as surrogate 

mothers is covered under Task 3.7.1 (conduct research on factors affecting wild brood 

survival), this task was added as a separate item. 

Comment 13: The APC team should get support from and follow the protocols of other 

successful avian recovery efforts. 

USFWS response: Each recovery program has its own set of issues requiring unique 

solutions. Most avian recovery programs that have been successful to date have involved 

K-selected species that are near the top of the food chain as opposed to r-selected and 

near the bottom of the food chain like the APC. The APC recovery team is comprised of 

individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, including participation with other 

avian recovery programs. The USFWS and the recovery team have sought information 

from other recovery programs and modified strategies as appropriate to the APC recovery 

program. 

Comment 14: The recovery team should have a full-time coordinator. 

USFWS response: This has been discussed, and is not currently a top priority for the 

USFWS. 

Comment 15: We are very concerned that the recovery plan does not include guaranteed 

funding for recovery efforts. We would like to see more support for and attention from 

regional and national FWS offices for the Attwater’s prairie-chicken. The species has 

been listed as endangered since 1967 and still fewer than 50 birds exist in the wild. The 

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USFWS should focus on this bird, guarantee funding for recovery efforts, and make it a 

success story in species conservation. 

USFWS response: The recovery planning process is not a mechanism for funding 

appropriation. Rather, one of the purposes of the recovery planning process is to clearly 

identify tasks and estimated costs necessary to achieve recovery for listed species. We 

believe this plan accomplishes that for the APC. Relative to the APC receiving more 

support at regional and national levels within the USFWS, the APC already is a high 

priority. It is one of the highest priority species for the Southwest Region, and has been 

identified nationally as a “Spotlight Species.” Under current policy, “spotlight species” 

will receive preferential attention from the USFWS’s endangered species program 

(USFWS 2008). 

Comment 16: The document was vague on how attempts to bolster the APC genetic 

diversity will take place. 

USFWS response: As stated in the discussion of genetics in Section I.H. (Factor 5), “To 

date, there is no direct evidence that APC populations have experienced inbreeding 

depression.” The USFWS and the recovery team have consulted genetics experts, and to 

date, there has been no recommendation to produce APC x GPC hybrids, the only option 

available, as remediation for reduced genetic variability observed in APC populations. In 

fact, the recent findings by J. Johnson discussed in Section I.B. (TAXONOMY) that APC 

and GPC are as different from each other genetically as any other recognized species 

within the genus Tympanuchus, suggests that caution be exercised in undertaking 

hybridization. However, Section I.H. is clear in stating that “...concern still exists that 

genetics may be an issue in the future...”, and Task 2.2 identifies analysis of APC genetic 

health and evaluation of the merits of hybridization with GPC as a Priority 1 task. 

Comment 17: The recovery team should immediately dedicate one of its breeding 

facilities to start studying the outcome of the genotype and phenotype of F1 crosses and 

back crosses to APC. 

USFWS response: Some very preliminary work has already been done at Texas A&M 

University on hybridization of APC to GPC (see Griffin 1998). We agree that additional 

work is needed to evaluate the efficacy of APC-GPC hybridization. Additional tasks 

were added to Task 2.4 to reflect this need. 

Comment 18: The Plan shows that Kruse (1984) was more successful in egg production 

and chick survival of pen raised GPC than the APC breeding facilities. Are they using 

Kruse’s techniques? If not, why not? 

USFWS response: The commenter is incorrect in stating that Kruse (1984) had more 

success with chick survival than the APC captive breeding program. Section I.G 

(Captive Breeding) states “...the APC program has performed comparably to Kruse 

(1984) and substantially better than McEwen et al. (1969) with respect to egg viability, 

hatchability, and chick survival (Figure 7).” However, as clearly stated in the plan 

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(Section I.G (Captive Breeding) the commenter is correct with respect to differences in 

egg production, with GPCs in Kruse (1984) producing substantially more eggs/hen than 

observed in the APC program. Kruse’s paper was used as the starting point for 

formulation of techniques used in the APC program, and continues to be a standard for 

comparison. It is unclear at this point why these differences exist. Task 2.4.2 identifies 

the need for further research in this area as a Priority 1 task. However, it should be 

pointed out that the number of APC eggs produced per hen increased substantially during 

2008, approaching that observed during the last year of Kruse’s 1984 study (see updated 

Figure 8). We suspect that this increase was due in part to changes in diet formulation 

recommended by nutritionists with the Fort Worth Zoo and Mazuri Exotic Animal 

Nutrition, Land O’ Lakes, Inc. 

Comment 19: I did not see a discussion of the natural history of fire in the APC range. 

Maybe this should be reviewed for relevance to timing and intensity of prescribed 

burning for habitat management. 

USFWS response: Duly noted. A summary was added to Section I.D 

(HABITAT/ECOSYSTEM). 

Comment 20: “Reasons for listing” mentions overharvesting as a cause for listing. Is 

this overharvest due to past market or sport hunting? This should be clarified. 

USFWS response: The Executive Summary mentions overharvesting as a factor for 

listing and it was discussed in more detail in Section I.H (REASONS FOR 

LISTING/CURRENT THREATS). In that discussion, it was noted that the last legal 

hunting season was held in 1936. Therefore, overharvest should not have been a 

significant factor after that point. The Executive Summary was modified to clarify that 

point. 

Comment 21: Is the funding outlined in the plan secure? As occurred in Wisconsin with 

the Greater Prairie Chicken Management Plan, funding often fails to materialize. What if 

funding levels are not reached? In the recovery section, I suggest an approach to the 

scenario of inadequate funding. 

USFWS response: Identification of needs is the first step in the budgetary process. 

Recovery plans provide a mechanism for identifying actions needed to minimize or 

eliminate threats which cumulatively result in substantial risk of extinction for a species. 

Because recovery plans are planning tools, they are not designed to identify secure 

sources of funding for implementation tasks. Rather, they are designed to be used in the 

budgetary process to identify and prioritize funding needs. As discussed in Section II.C – 

NARRATIVE OUTLINE OF RECOVER ACTIONS and Section III – 

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE, identified recovery actions were prioritized within a 

three-tiered framework based on the perceived urgency of the action with respect to the 

species’ extinction risk. This prioritization is used in the budgetary process to evaluate 

tasks in the face of limited funds. In addition, recovery programs for federally-listed 

species undergo review at least every five years. As part of this review process, 

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recommendations for future actions are made, allowing for reprioritization of recovery 

actions or revision of the recovery plan if necessary. Under current policy, recovery 

plans should be revised every 10 years, again allowing for opportunity to reprioritize 

and/or revise goals/objectives/actions as necessary. 

Comment 22: I did not see an evaluation schedule to determine changes that may be 

necessary in the research protocol. Also alternatives might be appropriate in response to 

potential funding shortfalls or needs to redirect or design research approach. Plans are 

great, but often need to be modified in response to economic, environmental, 

physiological, or behavioral factors. These should be planned for. 

USFWS response: We were not entirely clear if the commenter was referring to the plan 

as a whole or just to the research sections. In either case, this comment is similar to 

Comment 21. Please see response to that comment. 

Comment 23: I think this sentence is backward: “Therefore, APC and GPC may warrant 

separate species status despite any observable behavioral or morphological differences.” 

I think “differences” should probably be “similarities”. 

USFWS response: We agree and the sentence has been changed. 

Comment 24: Figure 2 is useful for the long-term trends, but I think it would be equally 

useful, if not more useful, to have another figure (or an inset) showing the population 

since about 1993 when the previous plan was published (so the recent population 

fluctuations can be illustrated). 

USFWS response: We agree and this has been added. 

Comment 25: I like the discussion in Section I.D (HABITAT/ECOSYSTEM) of 

grassland proportion in an area (i.e., 50−75%). However, it seems likely that the optimal 

proportion of grassland is determined by climate. I suspect that the optimal proportion of 

grassland is higher in southern climates where there is less dependence on cereal grains. 

USFWS response: We acknowledge this comment as a valid point for consideration. We 

will certainly take it under advisement. 

Comment 26: The reference to artificial structures appears to be out of place in the 

discussion of open space in Section I.D (HABITAT/ECOSYSTEM). This should be a 

separate topic. For example, what about fences, power lines, roads and wind turbines? 

Although the issue is discussed later in terms of mortality, it seems like there should be 

references to this issue here. 

USFWS response: We agree that the sentence in question was out of place in this 

discussion and we deleted it. The discussion of open space focuses on the encroachment 

of woody species onto the landscape because of the succession processes operating in 

many prairie grasslands occupied by APC and GPC. If left unchecked, the natural order 

99
of plant succession is for many of these grasslands to become deciduous forestlands. The 

commenter is correct in pointing out examples of artificial structures that may also 

impact open space. A paragraph was added to better address artificial structures and 

open space. 

Comment 27: Smaller movements of APC may be an artifact of population isolation. 

This effect may be exacerbated if some movements are genetically-linked. 

USFWS response: We acknowledge this as a possibility. 

Comment 28: There have been numerous references to the abundance of forbs and the 

insects that those forbs support, including with APC. I was a bit surprised to see no 

mention of forbs in Section I.E (LIFE HISTORY/ECOLOGY – Habitat Management). It 

seems that there is an assumption that if open grasslands are available, APC will be okay. 

The study with imprinted sage-grouse chicks in Colorado experimentally showed that 

lack of forbs can seriously affect weight gain and hence survival of chicks. This has been 

repeatedly stated for virtually all species of grouse. Given that survival of APC chicks is 

so low in the wild, has this been considered? 

USFWS response: The plan quotes Lehmann (1941:61) which states: 

“Optimum prairie chicken range apparently consists of well-drained 

grassland supporting some weeds or shrubs as well as grasses.... In short 

diversification within the grassland type is essential.” (emphasis added) 

Therefore, it was never our intent to diminish the importance of forbs (i.e., weeds) in 

APC management. However, in light of this comment we added text to this section 

emphasizing forbs more. 

Comment 29: Inbreeding depression is not the only genetic issue to consider here 

(Section I.H (REASONS FOR LISTING/CURRENT THREATS – Genetics). Genetics 

may play a negative role in the animal husbandry side of the equation without it being 

related to inbreeding. Not all animals that are brought into captivity survive, not all of 

the survivors reproduce, and not all of the reproducers make good parents in the wild. 

This issue is compounded by the fact that we expect to move captive animals into the 

wild and have them do well. The salmon issue has shown what happens long term (e.g., 

egg size smaller over time). The fact that wild GPC eggs had higher hatchability and 

initial survival in their first year illustrates that captivity may be the direct problem, and 

husbandry an indirect problem. If husbandry were the primary problem, you would have 

expected poor hatchability and survival during the first year with wild eggs. Likewise, I 

assume that the eggs for GPC x APC hybrids came from captivity, so once again it would 

be difficult to prove anything about husbandry, or even outbreeding. Husbandry and 

captivity are not unrelated in this case, but understanding the immense problems 

associated with captivity may help point the way toward more effective solutions. 

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USFWS response: We agree that inadvertent genetic selection related to the captive 

environment is a very real issue, and discussion was added to this section recognizing 

that fact. The plan already contains a number of research tasks which encompass this 

issue (see Tasks 2.4, 3.7). Indeed, an APC research project is currently underway by 

researchers at the University of Wisconsin to determine if selection in the captive 

environment has substantively altered gastro-intestinal tract physiology and innate 

immunity in young (< two weeks of age) chicks. While one could argue over the 

semantics of the terms “husbandry” versus “captivity,” we respectfully disagree with the 

commenter’s analysis of the experiment discussed in this section involving GPC eggs. In 

particular, we disagree with the statement, “If husbandry were the primary problem, you 

would have expected poor hatchability and survival during the first year with wild eggs.” 

There are many facets encompassed in the husbandry process. The fact that wild GPC 

eggs were successfully incubated and the chicks reared in captivity suggests that those 

aspects of husbandry were adequate. However, there are many other aspects of 

husbandry that may have led to the poor reproductive parameters observed in these GPC 

during their first breeding season in captivity. For example, the role of proper nutrition 

and physical condition of breeding adults in influencing reproductive fitness is well 

documented in the literature. We do not believe that “husbandry” and “the immense 

problems associated with captivity” can be separated. If one is forced to deal with 

captive-reared animals in an attempt to recover a species as is the case with the APC, 

then husbandry techniques must be developed to overcome the “immense problems” that 

the commenter refers to. 

Comment 30: In my opinion, the biggest biological constraint is captivity itself [in 

reference to Section I.H (REASONS FOR LISTING/CURRENT THREATS – 

Husbandry issues)]. 

USFWS response: We agree. The ultimate goal for the APC recovery program is to 

establish a self-sustaining wild population, from which individuals can then be 

translocated to establish other populations. Research has shown that translocation of wild 

stock has a much higher probability of success of establishing self-sustaining populations 

that pen-reared stock (Griffith et al. 1989). However, at this point no self-sustaining 

populations of APC exist as a source for translocation efforts. Therefore, we have no 

choice but to use pen-reared birds as a source stock. 

Comment 31: Section II.C (NARRATIVE OUTLINE OF RECOVERY ACTIONS – 

Task 1.3). The points here deal primarily with brush and grass. Perhaps forbs also 

should be addressed. Perhaps there should also be an effort to mark fences to minimize 

collisions (as has been done for lesser prairie-chickens). Should power lines also be 

addressed? 

USFWS response: As discussed in our response to Comment 28, we agree with the 

commenter regarding the importance of forbs in APC life history. We made changes to 

Task 1.3 to reflect that. Relative to marking fences, contrary to the observations by 

Wolfe et al. (2007) with lesser prairie-chickens, we have not observed fence collisions as 

a significant cause of mortality for APC. Of 844 mortalities recorded at APCNWR 

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during August 1995−March 2009, only 7 (0.8%) have been attributed to fence collision, 

similar to the 0.6% reported for GPC by Toepfer (2003). Therefore, marking fences at 

this point would contribute only marginally to APC survival. We feel that fence collision 

as a mortality factor pales in comparison to other issues facing the APC recovery 

program, and at this point, does not merit the approximately $200/mile 

(http://www.suttoncenter.org/fence_marking.html) required to mark fences. We will 

continue to monitor fence collisions as a mortality factor. If this factor becomes more 

important in the future (e.g., as APC population densities become higher), marking fences 

will be reconsidered. Relative to power lines, Toepfer (2003) observed that 6.5% of 

mortalities in Wisconsin GPC were suspected power line kills, ranging from 4−14% in a 

given year. Therefore, we added a Task 1.8 to address collision hazards associated with 

power lines, fences, and other artificial structures. 

Comment 32: With reference to Section II.C (NARRATIVE OUTLINE OF 

RECOVERY ACTIONS – Tasks 2 and 3.7.1), I have a suggestion that has not been tried 

(as far as I know). It is clear from past experience that pen-reared females are not very 

successful at raising chicks in the wild. There are numerous possibilities for this, but I 

have a possible solution that could be tried first as an experiment, and then as a 

management action (if it worked): 

1. Bring in radio-marked females from healthy GPC populations; captured before 

there was any risk of them having bred with a GPC male. 

2. Release the GPC females in the APC range prior to the breeding season. 

3. When the GPC females complete their clutches, replace them with clutches from 

APC females in captivity (note: it would probably be best to have eggs from 

multiple APC females combined into a single GPC clutch, if possible). 

4. Fence the GPC nest areas as was done with APC females. 

5. Allow the GPC females to raise the broods as normally as possible. 

6. In the late autumn or winter (long after brood break-up), remove the GPC 

females. 

7. In an experiment sense, this would offer a comparison of wild GPC females with 

pen-reared APC females. But more importantly, this would place wild females in 

charge of rearing chicks. 

Potential risks: 

1. Because the GPC females were captured in the wild, there is a strong possibility 

that some will move long distances and be lost or end up in areas with no APCs. 

2. If a radio transmitter were to fail on a GPC female, there is a remote chance that 

the female could add her genetic material to the population. This risk would not 

be significant, but must be weighed against the stronger possibility of extinction. 

USFWS response: We agree that this idea merits consideration. A research task was 

added to Task 3.7.1 to reflect this. 

Comment 33: It appears that pen-reared birds may not have the nutrition they need to 

successfully nest and raise a brood of chicks on their own in the wild. This seems to be 

common with other captive-produced gallinaceous game birds as well. I would suggest 

looking at possible vitamin D deficiency since recent human studies indicate a strong 

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correlation between increased levels and strength of the immune system/body functions. 

As a possibly related area I might suggest looking at what if any traditional food sources 

may have been reduced or eliminated over time due to agricultural practices and weed 

control. I ask this because the question of how nutrition affects the condition of the hen 

remains a concern. Are there perhaps once common weeds that have been eliminated or 

reduced? And could some of these possibly have contained important vitamins, trace 

elements, acids or other essential nutrients. Is it possible that some of the above (if they 

are missing in the diet today) may have allowed hens to enter the breeding season in 

better condition – a condition that could allow them to better care for their young 

especially during the first few weeks after hatching? 

USFWS response: All of these questions related to nutrition of both captive and freeranging APC are certainly valid. The plan identifies inadequate husbandry practices, 

including nutrition, as a factor which continues to threaten APC recovery. Considerable 

work has been done in recent years to refine the captive diet, although more work 

remains. 

Comment 34: Another area that might merit further investigation is the numbers of APC 

that are released and where they are released. Since restoration of any species is a 

numbers game it would make sense to release as many captive-produced birds as possible 

in one area with good habitat. This is not to say additional birds should not be released 

elsewhere but rather that a real concentrated effort should be made to re-establish a selfsustaining population and this will entail the releases of a large number of birds in a 

specific area. One might also take a look at the social structure of a healthy prairiechicken population to see the importance of numbers and how flocking, feeding and 

survival can be affected. 

USFWS response: We recognize that minimum thresholds exist with respect to 

effectiveness of releases. However, in a review of 198 translocation efforts, Griffith et al. 

(1989) found that the probability of a successful release (i.e., results in establishment of a 

self-sustaining population) associated with releasing larger numbers of organisms quickly 

becomes asymptotic. They state, “Releases larger than 80 to 120 birds do little to 

increase the chances that a translocation will be successful...” Therefore, Objective 2(a) 

in Section II.A (RECOVERY STRATEGY) specifies target numbers per release site of 

approximately 100 birds, and Objective 2(c) establishes minimum numbers of 30 for pilot 

releases into new areas. Population responses to numbers of APC released will continue 

to be monitored. Numbers released per site will be adjusted as merited by observed 

results. 

Comment 35: There needs to be a long-term commitment to funding if the recovery of 

this species is to be successful. With funding in place, concurrent research into many 

areas needs to be undertaken so that focus is not concentrated in one area, then another 

and then another. This would only serve to lengthen the recovery time and delay 

potentially important findings. 

USFWS response: See response to comments 15, 21 and 22. 

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Comment 36: All of the recent greater prairie chicken habitat models cited in the Draft 

Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken (APC) Recovery Plan have been generated using 

computerized habitat maps that were not collected by the authors but by a second or third 

party and/or accessed via government websites. One model indicates the importance of 

wetlands to prairie chicken yet the model is based on a habitat database using soil types 

not on the actual vegetation types that are present on the ground – that is what should be 

there not what is there. These “sophisticated” mathematical habitat models based on 

second hand information unfortunately do not yield sophisticated results even if 

published in peer reviewed journals. Furthermore some of these models referenced are 

very local in scope and based on only 1−2 years of data which presents a myopic or 

limited view of habitat and its influence on population numbers and trends. 

USFWS response: Although it is difficult to formulate a specific response to this 

comment without reference to the specific studies in question, in general, we took the 

approach of letting the published literature stand on its own merit. In most cases, several 

literature sources were used to document items of discussion, and where sources 

disagreed, we pointed that out. 

Comment 37: One needs to be careful when appraising and extrapolating the behavior of 

pen-reared birds as lacking the qualities necessary to survive in the wild. It has also been 

documented that pen-reared prairie chickens do recognize and react to avian predators 

(Toepfer 1988). Flushing and flight distances of birds are highly variable and vary with 

weather, time of year, cover height, age, condition of bird and number of birds in a flock. 

Taken out of context flushing, flight distances and speed may or may not by themselves 

be a good index to survival of individuals. Ultimately these behavioral traits will be 

expressed in the survival of individual(s). 

USFWS response: We agree. Duly noted. 

Comment 38: Unfortunately, the perception of the public and many outside wildlife 

experts is that pen-reared APC cannot survive in the wild. Yet it has been documented 

that the physical condition of the pen-reared APC both at the rearing facilities and in the 

wild has improved. It has also been demonstrated that the acclimated released radiomarked pen-reared APC survive quite well in the wild relative to other released penreared galliformes. Survival of radio-marked pen-reared APC in the wild is not the main 

factor holding back APC recovery. All evidence indicates that there is a real need for a 

substantial increase in support and funding for increased production of pen-reared APC 

for release, a reliable test to manage for REV, and critical to recovery the need to 

determine exactly why pen-reared APC hens released into the wild can nest, hatch chicks 

but cannot keep their chicks alive beyond 2−4 weeks and fledge young without 

intervention after hatch. 

USFWS response: We agree. All of these factors have been identified in the plan. 

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Comment 39: Research on the captive breeding program has implications well beyond 

the plight of the Attwater’s prairie-chicken. Unfortunately, too many prairie grouse 

species in North America are experiencing population declines due to habitat 

fragmentation and genetic isolation. I fear the inevitable loss of Conservation Reserve 

Program acres and accelerated loss of native prairie sod due to high commodity prices, is 

only going to further exacerbate population declines. I have no doubt the research on this 

issue will one day be used to restore prairie grouse in other regions. The recovery team’s 

work on this issue is imperative, especially the factors associated with poor chick survival 

by captive-reared birds. 

USFWS response: Thank you for your comment – we concur with your assessment. 

Comment 40: The stated habitat goal of 300,000 acres (121,457 ha) appears adequate. 

However, I would recommend creating another figure (map) that illustrates the general 

location where these “large, high quality coastal prairie habitats” or “multiple core areas” 

will be located. It appears from my outside perspective the ability to reconnect with the 

Texas City Prairie Preserve is nonexistent due to urbanization. As painful as it is to say, 

the real value these remaining birds provide is then raw genetic material. That leaves 

two-priority management zones remaining and the challenge is how to best reconnect 

these two islands of habitat. It appears to reconnect you will need to cross a large area of 

agricultural land. That could be a positive as it is easier to establish grass on former 

agricultural fields than to convert areas with a large amount of woody cover back to 

prairie. Agricultural lands often provide the open space needed by prairie grouse. One 

negative may be the cost of purchasing agricultural land. I believe creative ways (crop 

shares, agricultural leases, grazing rental, etc.) exist to purchase agricultural lands and 

still draw income from those lands and at the same time maintain support within local 

communities. 

USFWS response: We concur in principle with this comment. However, at this point we 

feel it is premature to identify corridors any more specifically than currently exists in the 

plan. There is currently ample vacant habitat to support APC. Therefore, while 

important to long-term APC recovery, it is premature to focus on the specifics of 

developing corridors when we are having difficulty establishing self-sustaining 

populations in existing habitat. 

Comment 41: I also deal with the issue of apathy by the general public on issues of 

prairie grouse and the grasslands they depend upon. Randy Rodgers, Kansas Wildlife & 

Parks, used the term “old growth prairie” a few years ago at a prairie grouse conference. 

The term has stayed with me ever since and I use it frequently when working with 

landowners on the importance of maintaining grassland habitats. I have found it causes 

individuals to view grasslands in a way they have never done before – prairie as a natural 

treasure. Society would never tolerate the annual destruction of hundreds of thousands of 

acres of old growth forest in North America but society doesn’t blink an eye when a 

10,000-year old grassland habitat is plowed. Maybe using the term “old growth prairie” 

will help save a few acres in Texas. 

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USFWS response: Thank you for the suggestion. It certainly adds a new perspective to 

grassland conservation. 

Comment 42: I may never see an Attwater’s prairie-chicken in the wild but I do care that 

they exist. The work the recovery team is doing is important and applicable well beyond 

Texas. Never forget that fact. Keep up the good work. 

USFWS response: Thank you for your kind words of support.
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