Breeding biology and habitat relationships of mallard and canvasback in the Peace-Athabasca Delta / Daniel J. Nieman

The habitat preferences of Mallard and Canvasback in the Peace-Athabasca Delta were investigated with respect to breeding pair and brood distribution. Ecological data were collected pertaining to breeding pair biology, nesting chronology, and duckling survival. Stream and lake habitat in the Delta were classified with respect to shoreline vegetation and water body type. Vegetation zones were defined through interpretation of aerial photographs and ground checks. Water body types were classified with respect to size, depth, permanency, and the presence of emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation. The distribution and size of breeding pair populations were determined by replicate aerial census along representative habitat units previously marked.Systematic nest search over various habitat types was unsuccessful as a means of determining nesting habitat preferences. Brood mortality and habitat utilization were evaluated by replicate census from an airboat throughout the brood rearing