Breeding Waterbird Use of Louisiana Rice Fields in Relation to Planting Practices
Rice (Oryza sativa) fields are managed wetlands that have high potential value to wildlife, especially waterbirds. To better understand factors influencing use of rice fields by breeding waterbirds, we compared nest densities in waterand dry-seeded rice fields in southwestern Louisiana, May-July 1993. Densities of waterbird nests in dry- and water-seeded plots were similar (paired t = 0.69, df = 13, P = 0.505). Minimum density of waterbird nests surveyed in Louisiana rice fields averaged (±SE) 37.2 ± 4.4 nests/km2 (N = 28, range = 0-92.7). Nests of king rails (Rallus elegans, 15.9 ±3.1...
