Waterfowl Research Active
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the lower 48-states and Hawaii.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center waterfowl research program are to:
- Identify and fill gaps in our knowledge about the ecology of waterfowl species in Alaska
- Quantify the drivers of population trends of waterfowl populations in Alaska and throughout their annual cycle
- Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for decision making regarding waterfowl disease, population delineation, and species of conservation concern
Waterfowl Research by Species
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Winter distribution, movements, and annual survival of radiomarked Vancouver Canada geese in southeast Alaska
Temporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt
Limited evidence of trans-hemispheric movement of avian influenza viruses among contemporary North American shorebird isolates
Transmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface
Pre‐moult patterns of habitat use and moult site selection by Brent Geese Branta bernicla nigricans: Individuals prospect for moult sites
Population dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
Does influenza A affect body condition of wild mallard ducks, or vice versa?
Post-fledging movements of juvenile Common Mergansers (mergus merganser) in Alaska as inferred by satellite telemetry
Avian influenza at both ends of a migratory flyway: characterizing viral genomic diversity to optimize surveillance plans for North America
Mechanisms of population heterogeneity among molting common mergansers on Kodiak Island, Alaska: Implications for genetic assessments of migratory connectivity
Migratory patterns and population structure among breeding and wintering red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator) and common mergansers (M. merganser)
Multiple spring migration strategies in a population of Pacific Common Eiders
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- Overview
Scientists at the USGS Alaska Science Center have conducted research on waterfowl species (ducks, geese, and swans) in Alaska since the 1970s. Because Alaska is an international crossroads of migratory bird flyways, with millions of birds from Asia and North America breeding in Alaska each summer, USGS research has also taken place in adjacent countries (Russia, Japan, Canada, Mexico) and in the lower 48-states and Hawaii.
Return to Ecosystems >> Terrestrial Ecosystems
The main objectives of the USGS Alaska Science Center waterfowl research program are to:
- Identify and fill gaps in our knowledge about the ecology of waterfowl species in Alaska
- Quantify the drivers of population trends of waterfowl populations in Alaska and throughout their annual cycle
- Provide science information to Department of Interior management agencies and others for decision making regarding waterfowl disease, population delineation, and species of conservation concern
Waterfowl Research by Species
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 20No Result Found - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 130Winter distribution, movements, and annual survival of radiomarked Vancouver Canada geese in southeast Alaska
Management of Pacific Flyway Canada geese (Branta canadensis) requires information on winter distribution of different populations. Recoveries of tarsus bands from Vancouver Canada geese (B. canadensis fulva) marked in southeast Alaska, USA, ≥4 decades ago suggested that ≥83% of the population was non-migratory and that annual adult survival was high (Ŝ = 0.836). However, recovery distribution ofAuthorsJerry W. Hupp, John I. Hodges, Bruce P. Conant, Brandt W. Meixell, Debbie J. GrovesTemporal and spatial shifts in habitat use by Black Brant immediately following flightless molt
Each year thousands of Pacific Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) undergo flightless wing molt in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), Alaska, in two distinct habitats: inland, freshwater lakes and coastal, brackish wetlands. Brant lose body mass during wing molt and likely must add reserves upon regaining flight to help fuel their 2,500 km migration to autumn staging areas. We characterizAuthorsTyler L. Lewis, Paul L. Flint, Joel A. Schmutz, Dirk V. DerksenLimited evidence of trans-hemispheric movement of avian influenza viruses among contemporary North American shorebird isolates
Migratory routes of gulls, terns, and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are known to cross hemispheric boundaries and intersect with outbreak areas of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Prior assessments of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) among species of this taxonomic order found some evidence for trans-hemispheric movement of virus genes. To specifically clarify the role of shorebird spAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Andrew M. Ramey, Hon S. Ip, Robert E. GillTransmission and reassortment of avian influenza viruses at the Asian-North American interface
Twenty avian influenza viruses were isolated from seven wild migratory bird species sampled at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. We tested predictions based on previous phylogenetic analyses of avian influenza viruses that support spatially dependent trans-hemispheric gene flow and frequent interspecies transmission at a location situated at the Asian–North American interface. Through the application oAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, John M. Pearce, Craig R. Ely, Lisa M. Sheffield Guy, David B. Irons, Dirk V. Derksen, Hon S. IpPre‐moult patterns of habitat use and moult site selection by Brent Geese Branta bernicla nigricans: Individuals prospect for moult sites
In environments where habitat quality varies, the mechanism by which individuals assess and select habitats has significant consequences on their spatial distribution and ability to respond to environmental change. Each year, thousands of Black Brent Geese Branta bernicla nigricans migrate to the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), Alaska, to undergo a flightless wing‐moult. Over the last three deAuthorsTyler Lewis, Paul L. Flint, Joel A. Schmutz, Dirk V. DerksenPopulation dynamics of long-tailed ducks breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
Population estimates for long-tailed ducks in North America have declined by nearly 50% over the past 30 years. Life history and population dynamics of this species are difficult to ascertain, because the birds nest at low densities across a broad range of habitat types. Between 1991 and 2004, we collected information on productivity and survival of long-tailed ducks at three locations on the YukoAuthorsJason L. Schamber, Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand, Heather M. Wilson, Julie A. MorseDoes influenza A affect body condition of wild mallard ducks, or vice versa?
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses are well documented to circulate within wild waterfowl populations (Olsen et. al. 2006). It has been assumed that these infections are benign with no subsequent effects on life-history parameters. The study by Latorre-Margalef et al. (2009; hereafter L.-M. et al.) represents an important step, as they attempt to test this assumption in wild birds. L.-MAuthorsPaul L. Flint, J. Christian FransonPost-fledging movements of juvenile Common Mergansers (mergus merganser) in Alaska as inferred by satellite telemetry
We implanted satellite transmitters into eight juvenile Common Mergansers to investigate post-fledging movements from their natal river in southcentral Alaska. Subsequently, they moved widely throughout portions of western and southcentral Alaska up to 750 km from their natal areas during fall and winter months. Transmitters of two birds (one male and one female) continued to send location data inAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Margaret R. PetersenAvian influenza at both ends of a migratory flyway: characterizing viral genomic diversity to optimize surveillance plans for North America
Although continental populations of avian influenza viruses are genetically distinct, transcontinental reassortment in low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses has been detected in migratory birds. Thus, genomic analyses of LPAI viruses could serve as an approach to prioritize species and regions targeted by North American surveillance activities for foreign origin highly pathogenic avian infAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Andrew M. Ramey, Paul L. Flint, Anson V. Koehler, Joseph P. Fleskes, J. Christian Franson, Jeffrey S. Hall, Dirk V. Derksen, Hon S. IpMechanisms of population heterogeneity among molting common mergansers on Kodiak Island, Alaska: Implications for genetic assessments of migratory connectivity
Quantifying population genetic heterogeneity within nonbreeding aggregations can inform our understanding of patterns of site fidelity, migratory connectivity, and gene flow between breeding and nonbreeding areas. However, characterizing mechanisms that contribute to heterogeneity, such as migration and dispersal, is required before site fidelity and migratory connectivity can be assessed accurateAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, Denny Zwiefelhofer, Nate MaryanskiMigratory patterns and population structure among breeding and wintering red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator) and common mergansers (M. merganser)
Philopatry has long been assumed to structure populations of waterfowl and other species of birds genetically, especially via maternally transmitted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), yet other migratory behaviors and nesting ecology (use of ground vs. cavity sites) may also contribute to population genetic structure. We investigated the effects of migration and nesting ecology on the population genetic sAuthorsJohn M. Pearce, K.G. McCracken, Thomas K. Christensen, Y.N. ZhuravlevMultiple spring migration strategies in a population of Pacific Common Eiders
Spring migration strategies vary within and among species. Examination of this variability extends our understanding of life histories and has implications for conservation. I used satellite transmitters to determine migration strategies and evaluate factors influencing the timing of spring migration of Pacific Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) that nest along the western Beaufort SeaAuthorsMargaret R. Petersen - Web Tools
- News
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