Movements, Habitat Use, and Survival of Wood Duck Broods in East-central Texas
During 1978 and 1979, data were collected on wood duck (Aix sponsa) brood movements, habitat use, and survival in east-central Texas. Radio telemetry of 18 broods indicated most broods left the nesting site immediately after exiting nesting structures. Distances traveled from nesting site to brood-rearing site varied from 0.111.7 km. Overall, duckling survival (N = 167) was 8%. However, survival for 40 ducklings that reached adequate brood-rearing habitat was 48%. Duckling survival and habitat used by broods was positively correlated with an increase in wetland size, length of shoreline,...
