Habitat requirements of wood duck broods on rivers.

Abstract

Habitat requirements of Wood Duck broods on rivers were studied from Hay through August of 1978 and 1979 on the Neosho River in east-central Kansas. Forty-seven percent of the total ducks observed were flightless juveniles. Average brood size was 5.6 with a mean density of 0.24 broods/mile. The estimated rate of brood survival was 50.9~. Protective vegetative cover and rate of water flow were primary limiting factors on productivity in the study area. Slope of the bank was critical in areas where there was no protective cover available on the water. Preferred brood cover was slow, quiet pools of water combined With closely overhanging vegetative cover. Dead drift, exposed roots, and bankside vegetation were substituted in the absence of overhanging vegetation. The rapid release of water in July from Council Grove Reservoir was detrimental to brood survival. Young trees near the water's edge were half-cut in an attempt to produce brood cover. These cuttings were utilized immediately by broods but were not believed to be practical because of their temporary nature. It is believed the planting and pruning of Black Willow shoots along the bank will produce permanent, excellent brood cover.