Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Influence of Age and Selected Environmental Factors
on Reproductive Performance of Canvasbacks
Jerome R. Serie, David L. Trauger, and Jane E. Austin
Abstract: Age, productivity, and other factors affecting breeding
performance of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) are poorly understood.
Consequently, we tested whether reproductive performance of female canvasbacks
varied with age and selected environmental factors in southwestern Manitoba
from 1974 to 1980. Neither clutch size, nest parasitism, nest success, nor
the number of ducklings/brood varied with age. Return rates, nest initiation
dates, renesting, and hen success were age-related. Return rates averaged
21% for second-year (SY) and 69% for after-second-year (ASY) females (58%
for third-year and 79% for after-third-year females). Additionally, water
conditions and spring temperatures influenced chronology of arrival, timing
of nesting, and reproductive success. Nest initiation by birds of all ages
was affected by minimum April temperatures. Clutch size was higher in nests
initiated earlier. Interspecific nest parasitism did not affect clutch size,
nest success, hen success, or hatching success. Nest success was lower in
dry years (17%) than in moderately wet (54%) or wet (60%) years. Nests per
female were highest during wet years. No nests of SY females were found in
dry years. In years of moderate to good wetland conditions, females of all
ages nested. Predation was the primary factor influencing nest success. Hen
success averaged 58% over all years. The number of ducklings surviving ≥20
days averaged 4.7/brood. Because SY females have lower return rates and hen
success than ASY females, especially during drier years, management to increase
canvasback populations might best be directed to increasing first year recruitment
(no. of females returning to breed) and to increasing overall breeding success
by reducing predation and enhancing local habitat conditions during nesting.
This resource is based on the following source (Northern Prairie Publication
826):
Serie, Jerome R., David L. Trauger, and Jane E. Austin. 1992. Influence
of age and selected environmental factors on reproductive performance
of canvasbacks. Journal of Wildlife Management 56(3):546-556.
This resource should be cited as:
Serie, Jerome R., David L. Trauger, and Jane E. Austin. 1992. Influence
of age and selected environmental factors on reproductive performance
of canvasbacks. Journal of Wildlife Management 56(3):546-556.
Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/canvage/index.htm
(Version 13NOV2001).
Table of Contents
Tables and Figures
- Table 1 -- Environmental Conditions
- Table 2 -- Yearly Return Rates of Female
Canvasbacks
- Table 3 -- Rates of Interspecific Nest
Parasitism
- Table 4 -- Rates of Apparent Nest Success
- Table 5 -- Rate of Hen Success
- Figure 1 -- Mean Canvasback Nest Initiation
Dates and Range
Jerome R. Serie ¹, David L. Trauger ²,
and Jane E. Austin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern
Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND 58401
¹ Present address for Jerome R. Serie: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Office of Migratory Bird Management, Laurel, MD 20708
² Present address for David L. Trauger: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD 20708
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