Category: Anatidae

The timing of pair formation in harlequin ducks

Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) Science Article 1 abstract The timing of pair formation varies within and among species of ducks. In this study we documented the chronology of pair formation in a population of wintering Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) in southwestern British Columbia. Harlequin Ducks began forming pair bonds in October and over half of […]

Egg predation in reedbed nesting Greylag Geese Anser anser in Vejlerne, Denmark.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 7 abstract Egg predation in Greylag Geese Anser anser nesting in reedbeds was studied at three sites in Vejlerne (NW Denmark). Overall, 34% of all clutches hatched successfully (range 26-53%), while at least 34% of all nests were abandoned. Avian predation of clutches was particularly high on one site […]

Nocturnal feeding in moulting Greylag Geese Anser anser- An anti-predator response?

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 6 abstract The diurnal activity patterns of Greylag Geese were studied at a Danish moulting site. Before moulting, Greylag Geese foraged throughout the 24 hour period, but changed to nocturnal feeding behaviour exclusively and roosted on offshore islets during the day, as they became flightless. As the moult progressed, […]

Food, feeding-behavior and nutritional ecology of wintering Greylag Geese Anser anser.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 4 abstract Just after arrival in early autumn, Greylag Geese Anser anser wintering in the Marismas of the Guadalquivir (SW Spain) concentrated on Scirpus litoralis areas, but moved to Scirpus maritimus areas as soon as these zones were flooded after autumn rains. In both Scirpus habitats the diet was […]

Movements of a nomadic waterfowl, Grey Teal Anas gracilis, across inland Australia ? results from satellite telemetry spanning fifteen months

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) Science Article 1 abstract We used lightweight satellite transmitters to follow the movements of 17 Grey Teal Anas gracilis between September 2003 and November 2004 in two contrasting landscapes, the agricultural districts of southern Australia and the desert landscapes of the interior. Roshier D.A., Klomp N.I. and Asmus M., Ardea 94(3): […]

A tangled tale of two teal: population history of the grey Anas gracilis and chestnut teal A. castanea of Australia

Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) Science Article 2 abstract Two Australian species of teal (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Anas), the grey teal Anas gracilis and the chestnut teal A. castanea, are remarkable for the zero or near-zero divergence recorded between them in earlier surveys of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity. We confirmed this result through wider geographical and population […]

On the spatial-distribution and social-organization of neck-banded Greylag Geese Anser anser in their breeding area of Lake Neusiedl, Austria

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 5 abstract Although goslings are known to move up to 10 km in their first days of life, juvenile geese only moved short distances (up to 1 km) from their ringing sites after ringing. In July the geese gathered in the central Seewinkel area (main gathering place Lange Lacke). […]

Greylag geese (Anser anser)-Scirpus maritimus relationships in a newly colonised wintering area in the Camargue

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Science Article 10 abstract In order to evaluate the proportion of Scirpus maritimus tubers consumed by a growing population of wintering Greylag goose (Anser anser) in Camargue, Southern France, we (1) measured the biomass of Scirpus maritimus tubers on the main resting and feeding marsh for geese in the area; and […]

Diurnal time-activity budgets in wintering Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca in Tanguar Haor, Bangladesh

Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) Science Article 1 abstract Diurnal time-activity budgets were quantified for Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca wintering in Tanguar Haor, Bangladesh. Individuals spent most time resting (60%), with less time spent feeding (17%), preening (14%) and swimming (9%). The time spent feeding was generally lower than for other Aythya species in winter, perhaps […]