Publications
USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below. Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 1952
Two Incubating mallards move eggs to drier nest sites Two Incubating mallards move eggs to drier nest sites
No abstract available.
Authors
J. P. Fleskes
Breeding bird censuses 86-91: Kentucky bluegrass prairie and mixed prairie Breeding bird censuses 86-91: Kentucky bluegrass prairie and mixed prairie
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson, M.D. Schwartz
Impacts of changing irrigation practices on waterfowl habitat use in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California Impacts of changing irrigation practices on waterfowl habitat use in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California
We used diurnal aerial census data to examine habitat use patterns of ducks wintering in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California from 1980-87. We calculated densities (birds/ha) for the northern pintail (Anas acuta), mallard (A. platyrhynchos), green-winged teal (A. crecca), cinnamon teal (A. cyanoptera), shoveler (A. clypeata), ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), and total ducks in...
Authors
D. A. Barnum, N. H . Euliss
Habitat use, survival, and causes of mortality among mallard broods hatched near the James River in North Dakota Habitat use, survival, and causes of mortality among mallard broods hatched near the James River in North Dakota
Habitat use and survival by nine mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) broods from nests on the James River floodplain and adjacent drift plain were monitored during summer 1987. Radio-marked broods were relocated an average of 22% of the time in the river channel, 22% in oxbow ponds, 43% in a large sewage lagoon complex, and 13% in basin wetlands. Four of the six broods hatched on the floodplain...
Authors
Gary L. Krapu, C.R. Luna
Seasonal pattern of reverse mounting in the groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) Seasonal pattern of reverse mounting in the groove-billed ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
We observed reverse mounting behavior in a color-banded population of Groove-billed Anis (Crotophaga sulcirostris) in Costa Rica. Sex was determined with measurements and laparotomies. Reverse mounting appeared nearly identical to mounting by males. Of 27 mountings in which at least one bird was banded, 15 were reverse mountings. Only reverse mountings (11 observations) were observed in...
Authors
B. S. Bowen, Rolf R. Koford, S.L. Vehrencamp
An evaluation of techniques to measure contour feather molt in ducks An evaluation of techniques to measure contour feather molt in ducks
We evaluated 3 techniques (air jet, flat skin, grab sample) to assess molt in dead waterfowl (green- winged teal [Anas crecca] and king eider [Somateria spectabilis]). The air jet technique was fast and required no specimen preparation. The flat skin technique required lengthy preparation time after which molt was assessed quickly. Both techniques underestimated the extent of molt (P 0...
Authors
Rodger D. Titman, Marie-Christine LaGrenade, Michael R. Miller
Homing and reproductive habits of mallards, gadwalls, and blue-winged teal Homing and reproductive habits of mallards, gadwalls, and blue-winged teal
We studied mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwall (A. strepera), and blue-winged teal (A. discors) populations on 2 study areas of 22.6-km2 each in central North Dakota during 1976-81. Data regarding rates of return of females to natal or previously used nesting areas, nest site selection, and productivity of hens of different ages were collected from 1,166 nasal-marked and 2,142 banded...
Authors
John T. Lokemoen, Harold F. Duebbert, David E. Sharp
Protecting duck nests from mammalian predators with fences, traps, and a toxicant Protecting duck nests from mammalian predators with fences, traps, and a toxicant
Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
R. J. Greenwood, P.M. Arnold, B.G. McGuire
Diet of canvasbacks during breeding Diet of canvasbacks during breeding
We examined diets of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) breeding in southwestern Manitoba during 1977-81. Percent volume of animal foods consumed did not differ between males and females nor among prenesting, rapid follicle growth, laying, incubation, and renesting periods in females (mean = 50.1%). Tubers and shoots of fennelleaf pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and midge larvae...
Authors
J. E. Austin, J.R. Serie, J.H. Noyes
Weights of wild mallard Anas platyrhynchos, gadwall A. strepera, and blue-winged teal A. discors during the breeding season Weights of wild mallard Anas platyrhynchos, gadwall A. strepera, and blue-winged teal A. discors during the breeding season
During 1976-81 we weighed several thousands of wild Mallard, Gadwall, and Blue-winged Teal in central North Dakota to examine duckling growth patterns, adult weights, and the factors influencing them. One-day-old Mallard and Gadwall averaged 32.4 and 30.4 g, respectively, a reduction of 34% and 29% from fresh egg weights. In all three species, the logistic growth curve provided a good...
Authors
John T. Lokemoen, Douglas H. Johnson, David E. Sharp
Use of social indices to predict reproductive success in canvasbacks Use of social indices to predict reproductive success in canvasbacks
We correlated temporal changes in social groupings of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) breeding near Minnedosa, Manitoba, with an independent estimate of hen success during 1974-80. Roadside counts of pairs, lone males, and flocked males were made along transects at 5-day intervals, normalized to percentages to allow comparisons among years, and plotted to obtain measurements of selected...
Authors
Jerome R. Serie, Lewis M. Cowardin