Mp. Losito et al., REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL OF FEMALE MALLARDS IN THE ST-LAWRENCE-RIVERVALLEY, NEW-YORK, The Journal of wildlife management, 59(1), 1995, pp. 23-30
Few studies of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) have been conducted in no
rtheastern habitats where mallard populations have increased in abunda
nce since the 1960s and dominate many breeding communities of dabbling
ducks. We investigated the breeding ecology of female mallards within
the St. Lawrence River Valley (SLRV) of northern New York, from March
to July 1990-92, to determine factors affecting reproductive success
and survival. Nest success (($) over bar x = 18%, n = 67) was highest
(P < 0.10) in haylands (39%), followed by wetlands (14%), grasslands (
8%), and shrublands (3%); predation caused 92% of nest failures. Hen s
uccess averaged 18% (n = 84) and was 25% (n = 44) for after-second-yea
r (ASY) females and 11% (n = 36) for second-year (SY) females. Daily s
urvival rate (DSR) of radio-marked females was tower (P = 0.009) durin
g the breeding season (DSR = 0.996, SE = 0.0009, n = 94) than postbree
ding season (DSR = 0.999, SE = 0.0007, n = 66). At least 33% of female
mortality occurred at nest sites, and avian predators accounted for 6
of the 15 females killed during the breeding season. Estimated brood
survival from nest to water was 0.92 (95% CI = 0.85-1.0, n = 13). Mana
gement of mallards in the SLRV should focus on maintaining an agricult
ural land base and protecting wetlands.