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USGS · 70194950

Waterfowl productivity and use of nesting structures in the prairie pothole region

Rex R. Johnson·Kenneth F. Higgins·I.J. Ball·Stan C. Kohn
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Abstract

Over-water duck nests are usually more successful than upland nests. We evaluated mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) and giant Canada goose ( Branta canadensis maxima ) use of nest baskets, straw and hay bales, and earth-filled culverts and determined nesting success rates by structure type during 1987-1989. Mallards used bales and culverts more than baskets, whereas Canada geese used baskets more than bales or culverts. Nesting success was greatest for baskets and culverts (>80%) and lowest for bales (58.3%). Logistics aside, culverts appear to be the most valuable nesting structures for mallards, and baskets are the most valuable structures for Canada geese.

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Rex R. Johnson, Kenneth F. Higgins, I.J. Ball, Stan C. Kohn. 1994. Waterfowl productivity and use of nesting structures in the prairie pothole region. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70194950

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