US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
7-20-2012
Citation
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2012. Waterfowl population status, 2012. U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. USA.
Abstract
In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1‒18, 20‒50, and 75‒77, the total duck population estimate was 48.6 ± 0.8 [SE] million birds. This estimate represents a 7% increase over last year's estimate of 45.6 ± 0.8 million birds and was 43% above the long-term average (1955‒2011). Estimated mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 10.6 ± 0.3 million birds, which was 15% above the 2011 estimate of 9.2 ± 0.3 million birds and 40% above the longterm average. Estimated abundance of gadwall (A. strepera; 3.6 ± 0.2 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 96% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of American wigeon (A. americana; 2.1 ± 0.1 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 17% below the long-term average. The estimated abundance of green-winged teal (A. crecca) was 3.5 ± 0.2 million, which was 20% above the 2011 estimate and 74% above their long-term average. The estimate of bluewinged teal abundance (A. discors) was 9.2 ± 0.4 million, which was similar to the 2011 estimate and 94% above their long-term average. The estimate for northern pintails (A. acuta; 3.5 ± 0.2 million) was 22% below the 2011 estimate, and 14% below the long-term average. The northern shoveler estimate (A. clypeata) was 5.0 ± 0.3 million, which was similar to the 2011 estimate and 111% above the long-term average. Redhead abundance (Aythya americana; 1.3 ± 0.1 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 89% above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.8 ± 0.07 million) was similar to the 2011 estimate and 33% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of scaup (A. affinis and A. marila combined; 5.2 ± 0.3 million) was 21% above the 2011 estimate and similar to the long-term average. Habitat conditions during the 2012 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by average to below average moisture, a mild winter, and an early spring across the southern portion of the traditional and eastern survey areas. Northern habitats of the survey areas generally received average moisture and temperatures. The total pond estimate (Prairie Canada and U.S. combined) was 5.5 ± 0.2 million. This was 32% below the 2011 estimate and 9% above the long-term average (1974‒2011) of 5.1± 0.03 million ponds. The 2012 estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.9 ± 0.1 million. This was 21% below last year's estimate (4.9 ± 0.2 million) and 13% above the long-term average (1961‒2011; 3.4 ± 0.03 million). The 2012 pond estimate for the north-central U.S. was 1.7 ± 0.1 million, which was 49% below last year's estimate (3.2 ± 0.1 million) and similar to the long-term (1974‒2011) average. The projected mallard fall-flight index is 12.7 ± 1.2 million birds. The eastern survey area was restratifed in 2005 and is now composed of strata 51‒72. However, estimates are presented for only a portion of the eastern survey area and include data from strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66‒68, and 70‒72. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) estimate was 0.6 ± 0.04 million, which was 11% higher than the 2011 estimate and similar to the long-term average (1990‒2011). Estimated abundance of mallards in the eastern survey area was 0.4 ± 0.1 million, which was similar to the 2011 estimate and the long-term average. Abundance estimates of green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris), goldeneyes (common [Bucephala clangula] and Barrow's [B. islandica] combined), and mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M. merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus] combined) were all similar to their 2011 estimates and long-term averages.