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Waterfowl Management Handbook: Nutrition and Energetics
Waterfowl Management Handbook: Nutrition and Energetics
Waterfowl Management Handbook: Nutrition and Energetics
13.4.4. Habitat
Management for
Molting Waterfowl
swans undergo a single, complete molt during the instead prefer to molt singly or in small groups.
postbreeding period. Yearling birds and unsuccess- They also tend to use smaller wetlands near their
ful nesters make up the initial molting groups, fol- breeding habitat. Thus, molt chronology and habitat
lowed shortly thereafter by adults with broods. use are partially regulated by phenological consid-
Adults regain flight capabilities about the time gos- erations such as an early spring versus a late
lings fledge. Duck plumages and molts are more spring, wetland abundance and permanency, and
complex than those of geese. Males acquire bright other conditions that influence nest success. Simi-
breeding (“alternate”) plumage in fall and retain larly, nutrient reserves and perhaps pairing status
this plumage until after the breeding season. There- can affect the timing of prebasic molt on wintering
after, males molt into “basic” or “eclipse” plumage grounds.
that is retained from midsummer into early fall. Individual ducks and geese often undergo post-
Most females begin postbreeding molt on northern breeding molt on wetlands used in previous years.
breeding grounds and may complete this molt dur- Some of this traditional use may result from hom-
ing migration or on wintering grounds. This plum- ing to nesting areas and subsequent use of nearby
age is worn until late winter or early spring, when wetlands for molting. However, many waterfowl mi-
they molt into basic plumage that is retained grate hundreds of miles to traditional molting sites,
throughout the nesting period. The total duration of suggesting that such wetlands possess unique at-
each molt is 6 to 7 weeks. tributes that make them ideal for molting birds. Al-
The timing of the flightless period for ducks de- though these attributes are largely unknown, some
pends on when a species nests and, for males, the unique features are apparent, and generalized food
length of time they remain with their hen before and habitat requirements of some species have been
joining molting groups (Fig. 2). As with geese and described (Table). The common needs of all molting
swans, nonbreeding individuals or females that waterfowl are wetlands, adequate food resources,
nested unsuccessfully molt early. Hens that nest and security from predators and disturbance.
successfully, or that unsuccessfully attempt to Geese and most ducks tend to concentrate on
renest molt later. Unlike most males, late-molting large, semipermanent or permanent wetlands dur-
females often do not join large molting groups but ing molt. These wetlands often provide large ex-
American black duck Flooded shrubs and emergents in inland habitats; tidal marshes Omnivorous
and estuaries in coastal habitats. Rarely observed when flightless
on inland areas
American wigeon Open water of large or medium-sized wetlands. Feeds in open Herbivorous
water on submergent plants; loafs on shorelines
Blue-winged teal Extensive beds of cattail, bulrush, and other emergents Omnivorous
Canvasback Open-water portions of large lakes. Attracted to Sago pondweed. Omnivorous
Seeks resting sites and security in open water
Common goldeneye Open water of large lakes Mostly carnivorous
Gadwall Same as American wigeon Herbivorous
Lesser scaup Same as canvasback Mostly carnivorous
Mallard Marshes with concealing cover, such as cattail, bulrush, or Omnivorous
shrubs. Rarely observed during flightless period
Northern pintail Same as mallard. Often occurs in association with mallards Omnivorous
Northern shoveler Similar to teal and other dabbling ducks Carnivorous—zooplankton
Redhead Open-water portions of large lakes. Seeks resting sites and Herbivorous—submergent
security in open water vegetation
Wood duck Swamps, wooded ponds, and marshes with abundant, dense cover Omnivorous
panses of open water as well as emergent vegeta- drawdowns may be used to encourage germination
tion such as cattail and bulrush. Although open of robust emergents and moist-soil plants. If draw-
water and vegetative cover would seem to address downs are not possible and water depth exceeds 3
different habitat needs, both may provide molting feet, fill may be added to create shallow areas nec-
waterfowl with a sense of security. When rendered essary to establish and propagate emergent plants.
flightless, diving ducks seek escape from predators In some instances, fish may compete with molting
in open water. Geese, which traditionally prefer waterfowl for aquatic invertebrate foods, or rough
open nesting sites that enable them to quickly de- fish such as carp may increase water turbidity,
tect predators, may select open-water molting ar- thereby reducing the abundance of submerged vege-
eas for the same reason. Mallards and most other tation. Control of fish populations may be needed
carnivorous or omnivorous dabbling ducks seem to to correct such conditions.
prefer thick, emergent vegetation for hiding. Wet- Large wetlands often contain flooded emer-
lands used for molting also commonly possess is-
gents that occupy too much of the wetland basin. In
lands or shorelines devoid of vegetation. Such
such cases, control measures should be initiated to
areas enable waterfowl to rest out of water, yet
increase the open water to vegetation ratio to be-
provide open visibility to detect approaching preda-
tors. tween 50:50 and 70:30, which are proportions at-
tractive to many molting waterfowl. Canada geese
are attracted to wetlands that have an open water
to vegetation ratio of 90:10 or higher. Vegetation
Vegetation Management control is often achieved by drawdowns, followed by
Aquatic vegetation provides shelter, habitat for cutting or other mechanical or chemical control of
aquatic invertebrates, and green forage for molting vegetation, then subsequent reflooding during the
waterfowl. Flooded, robust emergent species such growing season.
as cattail, bulrush, or tall sedges are most desir- Many aquatic invertebrates are dependent on
able; however, any patch of flooded emergent vege- the microscopic organisms (periphyton) that at-
tation may be used by molting birds. Most tach to underwater substrates. To thrive, periphy-
permanent wetlands contain bands of emergents ton must have a rich nutrient base. Periodic
around their periphery or in patches in shallow ar- drawdowns, every 3−5 years in most wetland sys-
eas. Because seed banks usually contain an abun- tems, delay natural wetland succession, release nu-
dance of emergent plant seeds, spring and summer trients through aerobic decay, allow seed