Natural cavities used by wood ducks in north-central Minnesota
Journal of Wildlife Management
By: D.S. Gilmer, I. J. Ball, L.M. Cowardin, and J. Mathisen
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Abstract
Radio telemetry was used to locate 31 wood duck (Aix sponsa) nest cavity sites in 16 forest stands. Stands were of 2 types: (1) mature (mean = 107 years) northern hardwoods (10 nest sites), and (2) mature (mean = 68 years) quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) (21 nest sites). Aspen was the most important cavity-producing tree used by wood ducks and accounted for 57 percent of 28 cavities inspected. In stands used by wood ducks, the average density of suitable cavities was about 4 per hectare. Trees containing nests were closer to water areas (P < 0.05) and the nearest forest canopy openings (P < 0.01) than was a random sample of trees from the same stands. A significant (P < 0.005) relationship existed between the orientation of the cavity entrance and the nearest canopy opening. Potential wood duck cavities usually were clustered within a stand rather than randomly distributed. Selection of trees by woodpeckers for nest hole construction probably influenced the availability of cavities used by wood ducks. A plan for managing forests to benefit wood ducks and other wildlife dependent on old-growth timber is discussed.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Natural cavities used by wood ducks in north-central Minnesota |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1978 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| First page | 288 |
| Last page | 298 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |