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Population Dynamics of Breeding Waterfowl

V. Egg Survival

D. Synopsis

Predation appears to be the most important factor influencing nest success if predators are present, as they are in most areas where waterfowl nest. Habitat features may mitigate the impacts of predation. Areas where predation is largely absent and where conditions are suitable for waterfowl breeding often contain large numbers of nests. In these concentrations, or situations with considerable disturbance, abandonment may be the most important cause of clutch loss. Weather can be a locally significant destructive agent as well.

In general, except for parasitized or dump nests, most eggs of a clutch hatch if one does. The sex ratio of hatching young appears nearly even in most situations examined.

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