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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: 1962

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

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

Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.): A literature review Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.): A literature review

Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.) is a submersed macrophyte of nearly cosmopolitan distribution. The plant is of worldwide importance as a waterfowl food but also can be a nuisance in irrigation canals and recreational areas. The plant reproduces by many different means, depending on habitat and environmental stress. Several genetic ecotypes have evolved. Most important as...
Authors
Harold A. Kantrud

[Book review] A new text on birds: Ornithology, by Frank B. Gill [Book review] A new text on birds: Ornithology, by Frank B. Gill

Review of: Ornithology. Frank B. Gill. New York : W.H. Freeman, 1990. ISBN: 0716720655.
Authors
Douglas H. Johnson

Conditioning of sandhill cranes during fall migration Conditioning of sandhill cranes during fall migration

Body mass of adult female and male sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) increased an average of 17 and 20%, respectively, from early September to late October on staging areas in central North Dakota and varied by year. Increases in body mass averaged 550 and 681 g among female and male G. c. canadensis, respectively, and 616 and 836 g among female and male G. c. rowani. Adult and juvenile...
Authors
Gary L. Krapu, Douglas H. Johnson

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

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

Nutrient reserve dynamics of breeding canvasbacks Nutrient reserve dynamics of breeding canvasbacks

We compared nutrients in reproductive and nonreproductive tissues of breeding Canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) to assess the relative importance of endogenous reserves and exogenous foods. Fat reserves of females increased during rapid follicle growth and varied more widely in size during the early phase of this period. Females began laying with ca. 205 g of fat in reserve and lost 1.8 g...
Authors
Jeb A. Barzen, Jerome R. Serie
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