PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - Landowners and wildlife officials in eastern New Mexico are scrutinizing the results of a recent aerial survey of the lesser prairie chicken.

The Portales News-Tribune reports that state and federal wildlife agencies conducted a range-wide population count for the bird in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas. 

The survey shows the bird's numbers are low but not as low as once thought.

Weaver Ranch manager Willard Heck says the study determines population and conditions for the prairie chicken for its entire range, but conditions in each state are different.

Heck points to the drought that has taken hold of New Mexico.

The results of the study will be one factor as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides whether to place the prairie chicken on the endangered species list.

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Information from: Portales News-Tribune, http://www.pntonline.com

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