Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival
Nest site selection is a discrete and often repeated choice, and individuals should select nest sites that maximize reproductive success and thus increase fitness. Mottled Ducks ( Anas fulvigula ) are a non-migratory species that inhabits the Gulf Coast of the United States year-round and therefore...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Resilience Alliance
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Avian Conservation and Ecology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.ace-eco.org/vol20/iss1/art1 |
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| Summary: | Nest site selection is a discrete and often repeated choice, and individuals should select nest sites that maximize reproductive success and thus increase fitness. Mottled Ducks ( Anas fulvigula ) are a non-migratory species that inhabits the Gulf Coast of the United States year-round and therefore have the ability to constantly evaluate habitat to make well-informed nest site choices compared to migratory species. Mottled Duck populations have declined over the last decade and a better understanding of nest site selection and its relationship to nest survival is a top research priority. We deployed GPS transmitters on 148 females across three breeding seasons to evaluate nest site habitat selection and nest survival. We observed 30 nest attempts and found females selected sites in diverse landscapes, but Mottled Ducks preferred old fields and pasture relative to other habitats. High vegetation density surrounding the nest bowl had a positive influence on nest survival. We found that females were more likely to renest when the initial nest failure occurred earlier in the incubation period. Our results emphasize the importance of preserving tall, dense vegetation in upland habitats. Additionally we recommend that prescribed burns are timed to ensure adequate vegetative cover for Mottled Ducks by the onset of nesting in March. |
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| ISSN: | 1712-6568 |