Waterfowl Population Status, 2006

• Main Authors: Garrettson, Pamela R., Moser, Timothy J., Wilkins, Khristi
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln 2006
• Subjects: Canada; Anas acuta; Anas clypeata; Northern Shoveler; Shoveler
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usfwspubs/421; https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/context/usfwspubs/article/1420/viewcontent/waterfowl_status_2006__revised_28_July.pdf

In the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey traditional survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the total duck population estimate was 36.2 ± 0.6 [SE] million birds. This was 14% greater than last year’s estimate of 31.7 ± 0.6 million birds and 9% above the 1955-2005 long-term average. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.3 ± 0.2 million birds, which was similar to last year’s estimate of 6.8 ± 0.3 million birds and to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal (A. discors) abundance was 5.9 ± 0.3 million birds. This value was 28% greater than last year’s estimate of 4.6 ± 0.2 million birds and 30% above the long-term average. The estimated abundance of green-winged teal (A. crecca; 2.6 ± 0.2 million) was 20% greater than last year and 39% above the long-term average. The estimated number of gadwall (A. strepera; 2.8 ± 0.2 million) was 30% greater than last year and was 67% above the long-term average, and the estimated number of redheads (Aythya americana; 0.9 ± 0.1 million) increased 55% relative to 2005 and was 47% above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.7 ± 0.1 million) was 33% higher than last year’s and was 23% higher than the long-term average. The Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata; 3.7 ± 0.2 million) estimate was similar to last year’s, and 69% above the long-term average. Although estimates for most species increased relative to last year and were greater than their long-term averages, American wigeon (A. americana; 2.2 ± 0.1 million) and scaup (Aythya affinis and A. marila combined; 3.2 ± 0.2 million) estimates were unchanged relative to 2005, but remained 17% and 37% below their long-term averages, respectively. The estimate for scaup was a record low for the second consecutive year. The Northern pintail (Anas acuta; 3.4 ± 0.2 million) estimate was 18% below its 1955-2005 average, although this year’s estimate was 32% greater than that of last year. The total May pond estimate (Prairie Canada and U.S. combined) was 6.1 ± 0.2 million ponds. This was ...