Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Of 21 nests of mallard (Florida duck, Anas platyrhynchos fulvigula) known to have been broken up, 10 (47.6%) were lost to unknown causes. In most of these eggs had disappeared, but the nest was not disrupted and there were no egg shells in the vicinity. Such predation could logically be attributed to snakes, humans, or fish crows (Corvus ossifragus). Because some of the spoil islands are frequently visited by fishermen, boaters, and picnickers, and in light of the low snake population and the knowledge that humans will readily collect eggs, most of the unknown losses were attributed to humans.
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/disturb/bibli181.htm
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Menlo Park, CA [caww54]
