Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks

Canadian Journal of Zoology
By: , and 

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Abstract

The distribution patterns during winter of American black ducks (Anas rubripes) were compared among age – sex classes using band recovery data. In addition, fidelity to wintering areas was compared between sexes and between coastal and inland wintering sites. We did not find evidence of age- or sex-specific differences in distribution patterns (P > 0.10). Black ducks exhibited a stronger fidelity to coastal wintering areas (P < 0.01), but there were no sex-specific differences (P > 0.30). We believe that the early formation of breeding pairs and possibly predictable food resources may reduce age – sex segregation in distribution patterns during winter. The predictability of food resources in coastal, as opposed to inland, wintering areas is likely responsible for the greater fidelity of black ducks to coastal wintering sites.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Distribution patterns during winter and fidelity to wintering areas of American black ducks
Series title Canadian Journal of Zoology
DOI 10.1139/z88-221
Volume 66
Issue 7
Year Published 1988
Language English
Publisher Canadian Science Publishing
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 8 p.
First page 1506
Last page 1513
Country Canada, United States
State Delaware, Illinois, Labrador, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia
Other Geospatial Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, Long Island, Mississippi River, Saint John River, St. Croix River, Tennessee River
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