US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
6-29-2001
Citation
Wilkins K. A., M. C. Otto, and P. R. Garrettson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, TRENDS IN DUCK BREEDING POPULATIONS, 1955-2001, (June 29, 2001).
Abstract
This report summarizes preliminary information about the status of duck populations and their habitats during spring 2001, and focuses on areas encompassed by the Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey. These numbers are preliminary, and do not include information from state or provincial surveys. The traditional survey area includes strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77. In the traditional survey area, the total duck population estimate (excluding scoters [Melanitta spp.], eiders [Somateria and Polysticta spp.], longtailed ducks [Clangula hyemalis], mergansers [Mergus and Lophodytes spp.], and wood ducks [Aix sponsa]) was 36.1 ± 0.6 million birds, 14 % below (P<0.001) last year’s estimate of 41.8 ± 0.7 million birds, but still 9% above (P<0.001) the 1955-2000 average. Mallard abundance was 7.9 ± 0.2 million, which is 17% below (P<0.001) last year’s estimate but similar to (P=0.08) the 1955-2000 average. Blue-winged teal abundance was estimated at 5.8 ± 0.3 million. This is 23% below (P=0.001) last year’s record estimate of 7.4 million, but 29% above (P<0.001) the 1955-2000 average. Gadwall (2.7 ± 0.1 million, +66%), green-winged teal (2.5 ± 0.2 million, +39%), and northern shovelers (3.3 ± 0.2 million, +60%) all remained above (P<0.05) their long-term averages, while American wigeon (2.5 ± 0.1 million), redheads (0.7 ± 0.07 million), and canvasbacks (0.6 ± 0.05 million) were similar to (P>0.2) their long-term averages. Scaup numbers (3.7 ± 0.2 million, -31%) were again below the long-term average (P<0.001). The northern pintail was unchanged compared to 2000 (3.3 ± 0.3 million), but their numbers remained below the 1955-2000 average (P<0.001).