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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| Language: | English |
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Resilience Alliance
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Avian Conservation and Ecology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.ace-eco.org/vol20/iss1/art1 |
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| author | Elizabeth S Bonczek Kevin M. Ringelman Samantha A Collins Joseph R. Marty |
| author_facet | Elizabeth S Bonczek Kevin M. Ringelman Samantha A Collins Joseph R. Marty |
| author_sort | Elizabeth S Bonczek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-844e0963ef184ea5a027cfa7755da531 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1712-6568 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Resilience Alliance |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Avian Conservation and Ecology |
| spelling | doaj-art-844e0963ef184ea5a027cfa7755da5312025-08-20T03:30:03ZengResilience AllianceAvian Conservation and Ecology1712-65682025-06-01201110.5751/ACE-02754-2001012754Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survivalElizabeth S Bonczek0Kevin M. Ringelman1Samantha A Collins2Joseph R. Marty3Louisiana State University, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LALouisiana State University, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LARockefeller Wildlife Refuge Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Grand Chenier, LARockefeller Wildlife Refuge Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Grand Chenier, LANest 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.https://www.ace-eco.org/vol20/iss1/art1breeding ecologycoastal marshgulf coasthabitatwaterfowl |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth S Bonczek Kevin M. Ringelman Samantha A Collins Joseph R. Marty Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival Avian Conservation and Ecology breeding ecology coastal marsh gulf coast habitat waterfowl |
| title | Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| title_full | Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| title_fullStr | Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| title_short | Nesting Mottled Duck ( Anas fulvigula ) selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern Louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| title_sort | nesting mottled duck anas fulvigula selection of ungrazed grasslands in southwestern louisiana is associated with increased nest survival |
| topic | breeding ecology coastal marsh gulf coast habitat waterfowl |
| url | https://www.ace-eco.org/vol20/iss1/art1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elizabethsbonczek nestingmottledduckanasfulvigulaselectionofungrazedgrasslandsinsouthwesternlouisianaisassociatedwithincreasednestsurvival AT kevinmringelman nestingmottledduckanasfulvigulaselectionofungrazedgrasslandsinsouthwesternlouisianaisassociatedwithincreasednestsurvival AT samanthaacollins nestingmottledduckanasfulvigulaselectionofungrazedgrasslandsinsouthwesternlouisianaisassociatedwithincreasednestsurvival AT josephrmarty nestingmottledduckanasfulvigulaselectionofungrazedgrasslandsinsouthwesternlouisianaisassociatedwithincreasednestsurvival |