Ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris) activities were monitored from mid-November 1979 to late February 1980 on a retired phosphate settling impoundment in central Florida. Time-activity budgets of males and females were similar. Activities of wintering ring-necked ducks were directed at putting on fat reserves prior to reproduction. Birds invested most of their time feeding and resting; courtship and aggression were rarely observed. Maintenance of high feeding levels and minimization of time spent in energetically costly activities such as courtship and aggression probably facilitated fat deposition. Differences in ring-necked duck activity rhythms between habitats point to the need for further research in additional habitats and long-term monitoring of activities within important habitats.
