POPULATION NUMBERS AND TRENDS 



The species formerly numbered nearly 

 1,000,000 birds. In 1937, the population was esti- 

 mated at 8,700 (Lehmann 1941). In 1962, Leh- 

 mann and Mauermann estimated the total popula- 

 tion at 1,335. Since then, fluctuation has been 

 only slight, and the 1978 estimate was 1,500 indi- 

 viduals (W. Shifflett personal communication). 



REPRODUCTION 



Elaborate displays by males on the booming 

 grounds commence in February, peak in March, 

 and end in May. Females visit the booming 

 ground briefly for copulation and then select sites 

 and construct nests. Peak laying occurs in late 

 March and early April, at which time an average 

 of 12 eggs are laid. Hens take two feeding forays 

 daily, incubating the eggs the remainder of the 

 day. The incubation period is 23 days. Hatchlings 

 are precocious and immediately follow the hen 

 away from the nest. Some young leave the hen at 

 6 to 8 weeks of age, while others remain into the 

 fall (Lehmann 1941). 



An annual increase of 100% is considered 

 good, despite the potential for 600% (Lehmann 

 1941). 



MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION 



Prairie chickens have been protected from 

 hunting since 1937. Lehmann (1941) conducted a 

 thorough study of Attwater's prairie chicken. 



A 3,200-ha acquisition in the middle of prime 

 prairie chicken range in Colorado County was de- 

 signated the Attwater's Prairie Chicken National 

 Wildlife Refuge. Management techniques used to 

 improve the habitat include a closely regulated 

 grazing program, prescribed burning, mowing, 

 shrub eradication, and experimental crop plantings 

 (W. Shifflett personal communication). 



The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and 

 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the 

 Texas population annually (W. Shifflett personal 

 communication). 



Lehmann and Mauermann (1963) have made 

 several management recommendations. Sugges- 

 tions include posting signs on roads to alert 

 motorists that they are in prairie chicken habitat; 

 transplanting of chickens from inhospitable areas 

 east of the Brazos River to better ranges (e.g., 

 Victoria County); and organizing and supervising 

 a predator control program. 



A Recovery Team has been appointed. 



AUTHORITIES 



Bill Brownlee (Recovery Team) 

 Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. 

 4200 Smith School Road 

 Austin, TX 78744 



Royce Jurries 



Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. 

 1131 Travis Street 

 Columbus, TX 78934 



Val. W. Lehmann 



P.O.Box 185 



Carrizo Springs, TX 78834 



Wayne Shifflett (Recovery Team) 

 Attwater's Prairie Chicken NWR 

 P.O.Box 518 

 Eagle Lake, TX 77434 



Nova Silvy (Recovery Team Leader) 

 Dept. Wildlife and Fisheries Science 

 Texas A&M University 

 College Station, TX 77843 



James Teer (Recovery Team) 

 Welder Wildlife Foundation 

 P.O. Box 1400 

 Sinton.TX 78387 



PREPARER'S COMMENTS 



The prairie chicken population is rather stable 

 due in part to the slowing down of conversion of 

 prairie lands to croplands. If several large ranches 

 should alter existing ranching operations, the prai- 

 rie chicken could be pushed close to extinction. 

 However, the Attwater's prairie chicken NWR 

 should prevent the species from becoming extinct. 



LITERATURE CITED/ SELECTED 

 REFERENCES 



Brownlee, W. C. 1970-1977. Attwater's prairie 

 chicken population census. Texas Parks Wildl. 

 Dep., Austin. Progress Rep. 



. 1973. Vegetative requirements of Att- 

 water's prairie chickens. Texas Parks Wildl. 

 Dep., Austin. Progress Rep. 



Lehmann, V. W. 1941. Attwater's prairie chicken, 

 its life history and management. N. Am. Fauna 

 57:65 pp. 



