High duck nesting success in a predator-reduced environment
Journal of Wildlife Management
By: H. F. Duebbert and J. T. Lokemoen
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Abstract
Duck nesting and production were studied during 1969-74 on a 51-ha field of undisturbed grass-legume cover and a surrounding 8.13-km2 area in north-central South Dakota. The principal mammalian predators of ducks were reduced within a 259-km2 zone from May 1969 through August 1971. Dabbling duck nest densities, hatching success, and breeding populations attained high levels. Seven duck species produced 1,062 nests on the 51-ha field during 6 years, 864 (81%) hatched, 146 (14%) were destroyed, and 52 (5%) had other fates. During 1970-72, when predator reduction was most effective, the hatching success for 756 nests was 94%. The number of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) nests increased from 37 (0.7/ha) in 1969 to 181 (3.5/ha) in 1972. Mallard pairs increased from 2.8/km2 to 16.8/km2 on the 8.13-km2 area during the same period. A minimum of 7,250 ducklings hatched on the 51-ha field during the 6 years, including 2,342 ducklings in 1972. Exceptionally high duck nesting densities and hatching rates occurred when predators were controlled.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | High duck nesting success in a predator-reduced environment |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1980 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| First page | 428 |
| Last page | 437 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |