Home range and movements of postfledging American black ducks in eastern Maine

Canadian Journal of Zoology
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

We monitored the movements of 97 female and 15 male juvenile American black ducks (Anas rubripes) in the vicinity of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Maine and southwestern New Brunswick from September through mid- December, 1985-1987.. Movements were described by estimating home ranges and radial movements from the primary roost marsh. Overall home range sizes averaged 4987 ha (range 54 - 28 070 ha), and maximum distances moved from the roost averaged 9.9 km (range 0.9-42.8 km). Home ranges were linear (linearity index 2.8), and home range area and distance of movements from the roost both increased monthly. Ducks that used >15 % riverine habitat had larger home ranges and moved greater distances from the roost than ducks using <15% riverine wetlands. Movements did not differ between ducks usually alone and those usually in flocks. Juvenile black ducks moved in small flocks and were often alone (34% of 355 observations). Most ducks showed fidelity to one roost-marsh complex from September until migration in late November. Daily and seasonal movement patterns were similar to those predicted for refuging systems.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Home range and movements of postfledging American black ducks in eastern Maine
Series title Canadian Journal of Zoology
DOI 10.1139/z90-192
Volume 68
Issue 6
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Canadian Science Publishing
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page 1288
Last page 1291
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details