Survival of radio-marked mallard ducklings in northeastern California
Journal of Wildlife Management
By: D.M. Mauser, R. L. Jarvis, and D.S. Gilmer
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Abstract
Estimates of duckling survival are necessary to accurately assess recruitment of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), yet few reliable estimates exist. During 1988-90, we estimated survival rates for 127 radio-marked mallard ducklings from 64 broods on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, California. In 1988, we restricted the survival estimate to the first 10 days post-hatch (S = 0.18, SE = 0.07). Survival from hatching to 50 days was 0.37 (SE = 0.09) in 1989 and 0.34 (SE = 0.07) in 1990. Total brood loss differed among years (P < 0.05); 81.2% in 1988 (n = 16), 36.8% in 1989 (n = 19), and 37.5% in 1990 (n = 24). Ninety-three percent of mortality occurred during the first 10 days of life. We detected no differences in the proportion of radio-marked ducklings fledged from early-hatched versus late-hatched nests (P = 0.74). During 1989-90, 16 females appeared to lose their entire brood; however, 3 radio-marked ducklings from 2 of these broods were fledged by other brood hens. Of 29 radio-marked ducklings that reached 44 days of life, 6 (20.7%) joined other broods. Habitat enhancement is the key to improving duckling survival because the large number of predator species that consume ducklings makes predator control difficult.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Survival of radio-marked mallard ducklings in northeastern California |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 1994 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| First page | 82 |
| Last page | 87 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |