Diurnal use of small wetlands by ducks
Abstract has not been submitted
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
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A spring aerial census of red foxes in North Dakota
Systematic aerial searches were flown on transects to locate adult red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ), pups, and rearing dens on 559.4 km2 (six townships) in eastern North Dakota during mid-May and mid-June each year from 1969 through 1973 and during mid-April 1969 and early May 1970. The combined sightings of foxes and fox dens from the mid-May and mid-June searches were used to identify individual fox families. The number of fox families was used as the measurement of density. Dens, highly visible during the mid-May searches, were the most reliable family indicator; 84 percent of 270 families identified during the study were represented by dens. Adult foxes second in importance, were most observable during the mid-May searches when 20 to 35 percent of those estimated to be available were sighted. Adult sightings during other search periods ranged from 4 to 17 percent of those available. Pup sightings were the most variable family indicator, but they led to the discovery of some dens. Sources of error for which adjustment factors were determined are: den moves exceeding criterion established for the spacing of dens in a single family, overestimation of the number of fox families living near township boundaries, and the percentage of fox families overlooked during the aerial searches. These adjustment factors appeared to be largely compensatory.
North Dakota↗
Effects of environmental pollutants on Connecticut and Maryland ospreys
Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus) eggs were exchanged between Connecticut and Maryland osprey nests in 1968 and 1969 to test the hypothesis that the decline in reproductive success of Connecticut ospreys was caused by something within the external environment of the eggs. Incubation of 30 Connecticut osprey eggs by Maryland ospreys did not improve the hatching rate. Forty-five Maryland osprey eggs incubated by Connecticut ospreys hatched at their normal rate. The results of the egg exchanges and associated observations indicated that the most probable cause of the poor reproduction of Connecticut ospreys ,was related to contamination of the birds and their eggs. Residues of DDT and its metabolites, dieldrin, and PCBs were generally higher in fish from Connecticut than from Maryland. During 1968-69, average residues (on a nest basis) in osprey eggs from Maryland were: p,p'-DDE, 2.4 ppm; dieldrin, 0.25 ppm; PCB, 2.6 ppm. Average residues in eggs from Connecticut for the same period were: p,p'DDE, 8.9 ppm; dieldrin, 0.61 ppm; PCB, 15 ppm. There were no major changes in residue content of Connecticut eggs collected in 1964 compared with those collected in 1968-B9. One Connecticut osprey had a concentration of dieldrin in its brain which was in the lethal range. The average shell thickness of recently collected osprey eggs from Connecticut had declined 18 percent, and those from Maryland had declined 10 percent from pre-1947 norms. Dieldrin, DDE, and PCB are three environmental pollutants that have most likely been important factors in the greatly reduced reproductive success and rapid population decline of Connecticut ospreys.
Connecticut, Maryland↗
Some nutritional aspects of reproduction in prairie nesting pintails
The nutritional significance of invertebrate foods in the diet of breeding hen waterfowl during the period of egg formation is discussed. Proximate, elemental, and amino acid analyses of the principal foods consumed by hen pintails ( Anas acut ) during the nesting season indicate the animal foods selected are rich sources of protein and calcium, whereas plant foods tested were low in protein, particularly in the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Calcium content in major plant foods was far below needs considered adequate for egg production. Studies with penned, hand-reared pintails indicated the inadequacy of wheat as the dietary staple during breeding. Egg production among pairs on the control diet differed significantly from that of the wheat plus oystershell (P < 0.05) and wheat (P < 0.01) diets. Pairs fed wheat during the breeding period experienced nearly complete reproductive failure. The poor reproductive response among hens on the diet of wheat plus oystershell suggested that calcium availability was not the only factor limiting productivity.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Gut morphology of mallards in relation to diet quality
Digestive organ lengths, weights, and volumes in each of three groups of mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) were determined at the end of a 21-day period, during which one group was starter (control diet), another group was fed whole corn (low fiber content), and the third fed alfalfa pellets (high fiber content) to demonstrate the adaptive efficiency of the waterfowl diets of varying quality. Food consumption by the alfalfa-fed ducks was significantly gr 0.01) than the other two groups. All digestive organs of the alfalfa-fed ducks were significan (P < 0.01) than those of the corn- and turkey starter-fed ducks at the end of the study. It is that mallards can adapt rapidly to fibrous, relatively indigestible foods. This ability may hav value when higher quality foods are unavailable or when food habits change rapidly duritions.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Summer behavior of adult radio-equipped woodcock in central Maine
The behavior of 26 adult American woodcock ( Philohela minor ) was studied in central Maine during the summers of 1971-73 using radiotelemetry. Adults used diurnal covers and nocturnal sites that were similar to those previously recorded for immature woodcock. The adults, however, were more active during the daylight hours and moved to nocturnal sites later in the evening. Adult woodcock seemed to be less susceptible than immatures to capture by banding crews at night, because adults walked more often between diurnal and nocturnal sites and remained close to the brushy edges at night. Adult birds occupied a smaller composite summer range than the immatures, did not move as far from their capture sites dunng the observation penods, and traveled shorter distances between diurnal and nocturnal sites.
Maine↗
Post-breeding activities of mallards and wood ducks in north-central Minnesota
We used radio telemetry to monitor the post-breeding activities of 129 mallards ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and 118 wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ) on a 932-km2 area in north-central Minnesota from 1968 to 1974. Upon completion of breeding activities and before the flightless period, all mallard drakes departed the area; this exodus peaked during early June. Of the non-brood hens 8 of 23 remained on the area, whereas 26 of 51 of the hens raising broods spent the flightless period on their breeding areas. Thirty-nine percent of the mallard hens on the area in the spring were present at the beginning of their flightless period. Fifty percent of the drake wood ducks and 41 percent of the hens left the breeding area before flightlessness. Their timing was similar to that of mallards. The flightless period began in mid-June for wood duck drakes and lasted into early October for some mallard hens. All late molting mallard and wood duck hens reared broods that same year. A minimum of 35 percent of the spring mallard hens remained on the area at the beginning of hunting season (early October). About 17 percent of the wood duck males and 42 percent of the females breeding locally remained on the area until hunting began. Eleven of 51 mallards and 4 of 25 wood ducks that reared broods were killed on the study area compared with 2 of 23 for non-brood mallards and 1 of 20 for non-brood wood duck hens. Principal habitats used by post-breeding mallards were bays of large lakes and river marshes. Wood ducks tended to use similar habitat but also frequented small woodland ponds. During the flightless period both species remained mostly in areas with abundant emergent cover.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Organochlorine and mercury residues in canvasback duck eggs, 1972-73
Eggs of canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) from several major breeding areas were analyzed for organochlorine and mercury residues. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in 96 of 97 eggs, in concentrations up to 29 ppm (wet wt.). DDE occurred in 79 percent of the samples with a maximum residue of 12 ppm (wet wt.). DDT, DDD, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, cis-chlordane, heptachlor epoxide, and oxychlordane were detected less frequently. Mercury was detected in only 6 of 34 eggs analyzed. Most of the eggs contained concentrations of organochlorines and mercury below levels known to cause adverse effects on avian survival or reproduction.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Evaluation of a nasal marker for ducks
Abstract has not been submitted
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Methylmercury: Second generation reproductive and behavioral effects of mallard ducks
Mallard ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos ) whose parents were fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury (equal to about 0.1 ppm mercury in a natural diet) also were fed a diet containing 0.5 ppm mercury beginning at 9 days of age and continuing through their reproductive season. Mercury in the eggs of treated hens averaged 0.86 ppm. Hens fed 0.5 ppm mercury made less efficient use of feed and laid a greater percentage of eggs outside nestboxes compared with controls. Hens fed mercury also produced fewer 1-week-old ducklings than did controls. There were no significant differences between controls and ducklings from parents fed 0.5 ppm mercury in approach responses to tape-recorded maternal calls, in avoidance of a frightening stimulus, or in open-field behavior. Ducklings from parents fed 0.5 pprn mercury did not grow as fast as did control ducklings.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Avian botulism epizootiology on sewage oxidation ponds in Utah
In the microenvironment concept of avian botulism epizootiology, it is hypothesized that invertebrate carcasses may serve both as a substrate for toxin production by Clostridium botulinum type C and as a vehicle for toxin transmission to water birds. We field-tested that hypothesis by attempting to induce botulism in wing-clipped mallard ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos ) on sewage oxidation ponds in Utah. The experimental ponds were inoculated with C. botulinum spores in June 1974. Aquatic insect populations were monitored throughout the summer. Rotenone was used in August to kill insects in two ponds (one served as control), thereby providing potential substrate for clostridial growth and toxin production. Botulism was not detected among the birds even though they routinely ingested invertebrate carcasses. Samples of dead invertebrates contained no botulinum toxin. We concluded that the microenvironment concept, as it now stands, cannot always be a sufficient explanation of how type C botulism epizootics are initiated in nature. Other microbes may inhibit the growth of clostridial cells or destroy botulinum toxin.
Utah↗
Determining population size of territorial red-winged blackbirds
Population sizes of territorial male red-winged blackbirds ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) were determined with counts of territorial males (area count) and a Petersen-Lincoln Index method for roadsides (roadside estimate). Weather conditions and time of day did not influence either method. Combined roadside estimates had smaller error bounds than the individual transect estimates and were not hindered by the problem of zero recaptures. Roadside estimates were usually one-half as large as the area counts, presumably due to an observer bias for marked birds. The roadside estimate provides only an index of major changes in populations of territorial male redwings. When the roadside estimate is employed, the area count should be used to determine the amount and nature of observer bias. For small population surveys, the area count is probably more reliable and accurate than the roadside estimate.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Duck nesting in intensively farmed areas of North Dakota
A study to determine the major factors limiting duck nesting and production on intensively farmed areas in eastern North Dakota was conducted from 1969 through 1974. A total of 186 duck nests was found during searches on 6,018 ha of upland. Nest density per km2 for 5 major habitat types was 20.2 in untilled upland, 3.7 in standing grain stubble, 1.6 in mulched grain stubble, 1.2 in summer fallow, and 1.1 in growing grain. Pintails ( Anas acuta ) nested in cultivated cropland types in greater prevalence than other duck species. Nest densities were 12 times greater on untilled upland (20.2/km2) than on annually tilled cropland (1.7/km2), and hatched-clutch densities were 16 times greater on untilled upland (4.8/km2) than on annually tilled cropland (0.3/km2). Hatching success was greater on untilled upland (25%) than on tilled cropland (17%). Of 186 nests found, 77 percent did not hatch; 76 percent of the failures were attributed to predators and 19 percent to farming operations. Poor quality nesting cover, the result of intensive land use practices, and nesting failures caused by machinery and predators mainly mammals, were the principal factors limiting duck nesting and production on intensively farmed areas.
North Dakota↗
Use of natural basin wetlands by breeding waterfowl in North Dakota
Use of basin wetlands by breeding populations of 12 species of waterfowl was investigated in 1965 and during 1967-69 throughout the prairie pothole region of North Dakota. Data were obtained primarily by random sampling techniques. Of the total population occupying natural basin wetlands 55 percent occupied seasonal and 36 percent occupied semipermanent wetlands. Seasonal wetlands contained 60 percent of the population of dabbling ducks, while semipermanent wetlands supported 75 percent of the population of diving ducks. On basins with ponded water, highest concentrations of breeding pairs occurred on temporary, seasonal, and semipermanent wetlands; moderate concentrations were recorded on ephemeral, fen, and undifferentiated tillage wetlands, and low concentrations occurred on permanent and alkali wetlands. The proportion of basins that retained ponded water had a direct bearing on the value of each type of wetland to breeding waterfowl. Relative values of the more intermittent types of wetlands are greatly increased during years of ample precipitation.
North Dakota↗
Mid-Atlantic coast osprey population: Present numbers, productivity, pollutant contamination, and status
An estimated 233 + 16 (95% C.I.) pairs of ospreys ( Pandion haliaetus ) nested in coastal New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia in 1975. The present populations were considerably smaller than those reported for selected locations at the turn of the century in these four states. The New Jersey population has continued to decline during the last 25 years, although it showed some signs of improved production in 1974-75. The insecticide DDT was used intensively in New Jersey for mosquito control from about 1946 until 1966; its use in the other states was much less intensive, and of shorter duration. In a segment of the pelaware population of ospreys, production was normal and numbers increased slightly in 1970-75. Fragmentary information from Maryland suggests that the number of pairs nesting on duck blinds was about the same in 1958 and 1975. The population in coastal Virginia north of Cape Henry increased from 1970 to 1975. DDE residues in osprey eggs were highest in the areas showing the greatest population declines and the lowest production rates.
Journal of Wildlife Management↗
Effects of aldrin exposure on snow geese in Texas rice fields
In 1972 and 1974, 112 dead or moribund snow geese ( Chen c. caerulescens ), mostly immature white-phase males, were found in a study area on the Garwood Prairie, Texas. Dying geese were observed within 2 days after rice fields planted with aldrin-treated seed were flooded by heavy tains6n 21 March 1972 and 25 March 1974. Brains from 8 snow geese that were moribund when found contained an average of 8.2 ppm (4.9-14.0 ppm) of dieldrin (a metabolite of aldrin); brains of 14 geese found dead contained an average of 14.1ppm (2.1-31 ppm). Because no mortalities occurred in 1973 when aldrin-treated rice seed was flooded after all geese had migrated or in 1975 and 1976 after the treatment of rice seed with aldrin was suspended, it appears certain that aldrin caused the mortalities.
Texas↗
Primary feather molt of adult mourning doves in North and South Carolina
Examination of 8,141 adult mourning doves ( Zenaida macroura ) in North and South Carolina revealed that substantial numbers complete primary feather molt in September. Adult mourning doves shed primaries at the rate of 1 per 14 days. No difference was found in this rate between sexes or among years, 1969-74. The initiation of molt differed from year to year, and female molt always preceded male molt. Available data show that southern doves complete primary molt a month earlier than northern doves. Therefore, age based on primary molt can be biased upward if all molt-complete wings from southern hunting samples are considered immature.
North Carolina, South Carolina↗
Fall foods of migrant common snipe in North Dakota
Studies of foods consumed by common snipe ( Capella gallinago ) during fall migration (Sperry 1940, Erickson 1941, Choate in Tuck 1972, Tuck 1972) have shown that diets vary among habitats. More recently, Fogarty and Arnold (1977) expressed the need for more detailed information on snipe food habits and more refined knowledge of the snipe's range and adaptability to various food situations. There is a paucity of information on snipe feeding ecology in the prairie pothole region of North America where unstable and unpredictable hydrological conditions affect abundance and availability of aquatic foods. The objectives of study were to (1) identify foods consumed by common snipe during fall migration in south-central North Dakota, and (2) describe changes in diet during years with different water regimes.
North Dakota↗