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Sound Intensity of Booming in Lesser Prairie-Chickens |
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| Authors: | MATTHEW J. BUTLER WARREN B. BALLARD R. DOUGLAS HOLT HEATHER A. WHITLAW |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 42125, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA;2. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, P.O. Box 42125, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA United States Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 42125, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA |
| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Wildlife managers traditionally monitored lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) populations using road-based lek surveys and assumed booming can be heard ≥1.6 km from a lek. To assess this assumption, we measured sound intensity (decibels) of booming lesser prairie-chickens. Our results indicated sound intensity 1.6 km from a lek would be less than or equal to the sound intensity of a whisper. Thus, 1.6 km is probably too great a distance for audible detection of booming in many conditions. |
| Keywords: | attenuation audibility booming lek lesser prairie-chicken population monitoring sound intensity Tympanuchus pallidicinctus vocalization |