William L. Hohman

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...

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...