The birds and the beetles: American burying beetle numbers correlate with Northern Bobwhite numbers in south-central Nebraska

This project is being conducted to determine if there is a correlation between the federally endangerd American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus and bird numbers which could be used as a reproductive resource by burying beetles in the loess canyons of south-central Nebraska.  Breeding bird surveys were conducted on nine routes that included 453 point count locations in 2009 and 2010.  In these years, the loess canyon area was also monitored using baited pitfall traps.  In 2009, 162 American burying beetles were captured in 112 trap nights (where one trap open per date = one trap night).  In 2010, 281 American burying beetles were captured, representing an increase of 73%.  During bird surveys, northern bobwhites, Colinus virginianus were observed at 131 of the 453 count locations.  Northern bobwhite numbers increased to 189 in 2010, an increase of 73%.  Across these years, there appears to be a strong correlation between American burying beetle numbers and northern bobwhites, a bird that is within the desired body mass for breeding by American burying beetles.  This research adds to our knowledge of factors that sustain American burying beetles and may help future studies and reintroduction efforts.