Methods

General Methods
Breeding Evidence Codes
Habitat Codes
Source

General Methods

Sampling & coverage of blocks
Each block consisted of 1/6 of a USGS 7.5 minute topographic quad. One block per each quad was selected to be surveyed. Of the 1210 established blocks, 1207 were actually surveyed. View blocks in the Mapping Tool >>
Coordination of coverage
Management of this project was accomplished with the help of coordinators in 9 regions. See the List of Coordinators on the project site.

Breeding Evidence Codes

Code	Code description (see handbook for full description & use suggestions)
PR Category - probable breeding evidence
T	Territorial behavior or singing male present at same location on at least 2 different days, 5 days or more apart. Territoriality can be presumed from defensive encounters between individuals of the same species, or by observing a male singing from a variety of perches within a small area.
PO Category - possible breeding evidence
O	Species (male or female) observed in its breeding season with no evidence of breeding. Not in suitable nesting habitat.
X	Species (male or female) observed in suitable nesting habitat during its safe dates.
PR Category - probable breeding evidence
S	7 or more singing males of a species observed during a single visit during their breeding season.
P	Pair observed in suitable nesting habitat within safe dates.
C	Courtship behavior or copulation.
N	Visiting probable nest site.
A	Agitated behavior or anxiety calls from adult.
B	Nest building by wrens or excavation of holes by woodpeckers.
CO Category - confirmed evidence of breeding
NB	Nest building by any species except wrens and woodpeckers or adults carrying nesting material.
PE	Physiological evidence of breeding, e.g. highly vascularized, edematous brood patch or egg in oviduct based on bird in hand. (For banders.)
DD	Distraction display or injury feigning.
UN	Used nest found. Must be carefully identified if it is to be accepted.
FL	Recently fledged young or downy young. This includes dependent young only.
FS	Adult carrying fecal sac.
FY	Adult carrying food for young.
ON	Adults entering or leaving a nest site in circumstances indicating occupied nest. To be used for nests which are too high (e.g. the tops of trees) or enclosed (e.g. chimneys) for the contents to be seen.
NE	Nest with egg(s), or eggshells on the ground.
NY	Nest with young seen or heard.

Habitat Codes

- - this atlas does not record habitat on the field card - -

Where this information came from
Most of the information on this page is from the project's publication or Handbook (guide for field work).

U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey || Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Laurel, MD, USA 20708-4038
This site is: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bba
Information contained in this application does not necessarily have the endorsement of USGS.
Contact: mwimer@usgs.gov

Last updated: Site - December 2008; Content - various, depending on atlas.
Page generated on: 24-May-2013