Shot Ingestion By Waterfowl On National Wildlife Refuges In Florida

Gizzards from 9,632 ducks bagged by hunters on or adjacent to 4 National Wildlife Refuges in Florida from 1973 through 1978 were examined for ingested lead and steel shot. Lead and/or steel shot were found in 197.4% of the 15 species represented. Mean ingestion rates ranged from more than 50% for both canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) and ruddy ducks (Oxyurajamaicensis) to less than 10% for lesser scaups (A. affinis), green-winged teals (Anas crecca), blue-winged teals (A. discors), wigeons (A. americana), gadwalls (A. strepera), shovelers (A. c1ypeata) and fulvous whistling ducks (Dendrocygna him/or). Few differences were found in comparing male to female ingestion rates. Data also are presented on numbers of pellets in gizzards containing ingested shot.

Publication date
Starting page
256
Ending page
262
ID
38111