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Wildlife Monographs

Factors Associated with Duck Nest Success
in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada

Greenwood, Raymond J., Alan B. Sargeant, Douglas H. Johnson, Lewis M. Cowardin,
     and Terry L. Shaffer.  1995.  Factors associated with duck nest success 
     in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada.  Wildlife Monographs 128:1-57.

Greenwood, Raymond J., Alan B. Sargeant, Douglas H. Johnson, Lewis M. Cowardin,
     and Terry L. Shaffer.  1995.  Factors associated with duck nest success 
     in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada.  Wildlife Monographs 128:1-57.  
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/nestsucc/index.htm
     (Version 02JUN99).

Contents

• Abstract
• Introduction
  • Acknowledgments
• Prairie Pothole Region of Canada
• Study Area
  • Definition
  • Selection Criteria
  • Habitat
    • Classification
    • Composition
  • Wetlands and Weather
    • Annual Conditions
  • Breeding Duck Populations
  • Predator Community
• Methods
  • Data Collection
    • Nest Searches
    • Adult Mortality
  • Data Analysis
    • Habitat Preference
    • Nest Success
    • Nest Success by Study Area
    • Nesting Chronology
    • Nest Fate
    • Nest Success and Percentage Cropland
    • Seasonal Variation in Nest Predation Rate
    • Adult Mortality
    • Components of Mallard Production
    • Geographic and Temporal Effects on Mallard Production
• Results
  • Habitat Preference and Use for Nesting
  • Chronology of Nesting
  • Nest Success by Species
  • Nest Success by Habitat
  • Nest Success by Study Area
  • Fates of Unsuccessful Nests
  • Daily Rate of Nest Predation
  • Nest Success and Percentage Cropland
  • Mortality of Adult Ducks
  • Components of Mallard Production
  • Geographic and Temporal Effects on Mallard Production
• Discussion
  • Factors Related to Duck Production
    • Habitat Composition and Use
    • Proportion of Land in Cultivation
    • Weather
    • Predator Community
  • Causes of Nest Failure
  • Mortality of Adult Ducks
  • Mallard Production
    • Variation in Components
    • Geographic and Temporal Factors
• Conclusions
• Management and Research Recommendations
• Literature Cited
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A: Estimated Densities of Breeding Ducks on Study Areas
  • Appendix B: Model Employed to Estimate Habitat Preference from Observed Nest Densities
  • Appendix C: Model Employed to Describe Daily Survival Rate Estimates
  • Appendix D: Species Excluded from Analysis of Daily Nest Predation Rate
  • Appendix E: Numbers, Exposure Periods, and Estimated Rates of Success of Duck Nests
    • Table 1: Mallard
    • Table 2: Gadwall
    • Table 3: Blue-winged teal
    • Table 4: Northern shoveler
    • Table 5: Northern pintail

Wildlife Monographs was begun in 1957 to provide for longer papers than those normally accepted for The Journal of Wildlife Management. There is no set schedule for publication. Individual issues of Wildlife Monographs will be published as suitable manuscripts are accepted and processed and when financing has been arranged.

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There is a perpetual need for additional funds to sponsor publication of worthwhile manuscripts in Wildlife Monographs. Any contribution will be accepted with gratitude by The Wildlife Society. Memorial funds collected to honor and perpetuate the names of deceased members of the profession probably could be put to no better use.

© The Wildlife Society, Inc. 1995

Publication costs were provided by The U.S. National Biological Survey.

This monograph is dedicated to our friend and colleague R. Kent Brace.