Ecology of male black ducks molting in Labrador / Timothy Dale Bowman.
Material type:
TextSeries: Thesis ; (M.S.)Publication details: Orono, ME : University of Maine, 1987.Description: v, 60 leaves : ill., maps ; 28 cmOnline resources: Abstract: Most waterfowl undergo an annual simultaneous wing molt and are flightless for 3-5 weeks. Information on the molt for black ducks (Anas rubripes) is lacking. This study provides baseline information on the ecology of male black ducks during the wing molt. During the summers of 1983-1986, I captured molting black ducks by hand in Okak Bay, Labrador.No black ducks were found nesting and 98% of all ducks captured were male. Flightless black ducks were found most often in willow (Salix sp.)(40% of all sites), but also were frequently located in shoreline cavities (14%) near freshwater wetlands. Only 12% used saltwater habitats. Sites used by molting black ducks were often far from open water (e.g., x= 12 m for willow sites). Male black ducks may use certain microhabitats and remain sedentary during the wing molt to avoid predators, benefit thermodynamically, and conserve energy needed for the growth of new flight feathers. To calculate rates of feather growth, I measured primary feathers
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Electronic Report
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Electronic Library | Non-fiction | BOW (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | Available | 1413 |
Thesis(M.S.)--University of Maine, 1987.
"May, 1987."
Most waterfowl undergo an annual simultaneous wing molt and are flightless for 3-5 weeks. Information on the molt for black ducks (Anas rubripes) is lacking. This study provides baseline information on the ecology of male black ducks during the wing molt. During the summers of 1983-1986, I captured molting black ducks by hand in Okak Bay, Labrador.No black ducks were found nesting and 98% of all ducks captured were male. Flightless black ducks were found most often in willow (Salix sp.)(40% of all sites), but also were frequently located in shoreline cavities (14%) near freshwater wetlands. Only 12% used saltwater habitats. Sites used by molting black ducks were often far from open water (e.g., x= 12 m for willow sites). Male black ducks may use certain microhabitats and remain sedentary during the wing molt to avoid predators, benefit thermodynamically, and conserve energy needed for the growth of new flight feathers. To calculate rates of feather growth, I measured primary feathers