Waterfowl: Population Status, 2011

• Main Authors: Fleming, Kathy, Garrettson, Pamela, Rhodes, Walt, Zimpfer, Nathan
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2011
• Subjects: Canada; Northern Shoveler; Shoveler
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usfwspubs/290; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/usfwspubs/article/1289/viewcontent/2011WaterfowlStatusReport.pdf

In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77, the total duck population estimate was 45.6 ± 0.8 [SE] million birds. This estimate represents an 11% increase over last year's estimate of 40.9 ± 0.7 million birds and was 35% above the long-term average (1955-2010). Estimated mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 9.2 ± 0.3 million birds, which was 9% above the 2010 estimate of 8.4 ± 0.3 million birds and 22% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of gadwall (A. strepera; 3.3 ± 0.2 million) was similar to the 2010 estimate and 80% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of American wigeon (A. americana; 2.1 ± 0.1 million) was 14% below the 2010 estimate and 20% below the long-term average. The estimated abundance of green-winged teal (A. crecca) was 2.9 ± 0.2 million, which was 17% below the 2010 estimate and 47% above their long-term average. The estimate of blue-winged teal abundance (A. discors) was 8.9 ± 0.4 million, which was 41% above the 2010 estimate and 91% above their long-term average. The estimate for northern pintails (A. acuta; 4.4 ± 0.3 million) was 26% above the 2010 estimate, and similar to the long-term average. The northern shoveler estimate (A. clypeata) was 4.6 ± 0.2 million, which was 14% above the 2010 estimate and 98% above the long-term average. Redhead abundance (Aythya americana; 1.4 ± 0.1 million) was 27% above the 2010 estimate and 106% above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.7 ± 0.05 million) was similar to the 2010 estimate and 21% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of scaup (A. affinis and A. marila combined; 4.3 ± 0.3 million) was similar to that of 2010 and 15% below the long-term average of 5.1 ± 0.05 million. Habitat conditions during the 2011 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by average to above-average moisture and a normal winter and spring across the traditional and eastern survey areas. The exception was the west-central portion of the ...