Food use and nutrition of black ducks nesting in Maine
Journal of Wildlife Management
based on 1977 thesis: The importance of freshwater invertebrates and female energy reserves for black ducks breeding in Maine. Thesis (Ph.D.), University of Maine at Orono.
By: K. J. Reinecke and R.B. Owen Jr.
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Abstract
Based on 32 adult black ducks (Anas rubripes) collected during the nesting seasons of 1974-76, the proportion of macro invertebrates (as aggregate [average] percent of dry weight) in the diet of males, egg-laying females, and postlaying females was 60, 75, and 55%, respectivey. Sample sizes were small, and the differences associated with sex and reproductive condition were not signficant. Molluscs, Isopods, ephemeropteran and odonate nymphs, and coleopteran, trichopteran, and dipteran larvae contributed 74% of the dry weight and 64% of the gross energy ingested. Data from proximate analyses of 9 invertebrate and 9 plant foods were combined with food habits data to estimate the nutrients available to breeding hens. We concluded that females with access to an adequate amount of natural food including invertebrates and the seeds and tubers of aquatic plants would obtain sufficient minerals, protein, and energy for reproduction. Food quality does not appear to limit the density of black ducks nesting in Maine.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Food use and nutrition of black ducks nesting in Maine |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1980 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 549-558 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| First page | 549 |
| Last page | 558 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |