Foraging behavior of green-winged teal and mallards on tidal mudflats in Louisiana

We used time-activity budget techniques to measure foraging behavior of gre en-winged teal (Anas crecca carolineilsis) and mallards (A. platyrhynchos). Observations were made on tidal mudflats in the Atchafalaya River Delta, L ouisiana, USA, in the winter of 1994-1995. Green-winged teal spent more diu rnal time than mallards foraging (68% vs. 35%). Time spent in different for aging postures also differed between species. Green-winged teal foraged by dabbling 70% of the time and by head-dipping only 28% of the time. Mallards foraged by dabbling 47% of the time and by head-dipping 47% of the time. F oraging by tipping-up was rare in both species. Mean water depths used by b oth species when foraging were <5 cm. Most foraging took place near the mud -water interface during ebb and flow tides.