In the news
Background
Mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) are the keystone waterfowl for western Gulf of Mexico coastal marshes as they are the primary breeding waterfowl of this area, and their range and preferred habitats overlap this imperiled ecosystem. While never ranking among the top 5 most harvested species in either Texas or Louisiana, their size and wariness lead many hunters to regard them as a trophy in the daily bag.
Because mottled ducks are nonmigratory, they must satisfy all of their annual resource needs from habitats existing within a small geographic range. Unfortunately, much of the basic information on the ecology of Western Gulf Coast (WGC) mottled ducks is unknown. Indeed, our success at managing for sustainable and harvestable populations of mottled ducks depends greatly on the availability of scientific information to fully inform and support conservation efforts.
Ducks Unlimited is collaborating with other partners of the Gulf Coast Joint Venture, including researchers at Louisiana State University and Texas A&M University – Kingsville, to conduct a 3-year study of mottled duck seasonal survival, habitat use, and movements across its range in coastal Texas and Louisiana. Through weekly monitoring of locations and status of radiomarked birds, researchers are able to estimate movements, habitats used, and mortality during different periods of the annual cycle.
Objectives
WGC Mottled Duck Study objectives are to:
-
Estimate survival rates of female mottled ducks throughout the annual cycle (e.g., breeding season, molting season, autumn & winter).
- Generate unbiased estimates of habitat use for female mottled ducks throughout the annual cycle.
- Document dispersal patterns and philopatry of female mottled ducks throughout the annual cycle.
- To the extent possible, measure breeding propensity and success of female mottled ducks
Funding partners
Funding and support for the West Gulf Coast Mottled Duck Study are being provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, LSU AgCenter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Gulf Coast Joint Venture, Delta Waterfowl Foundation, Ducks Unlimited and the Shell Marine Habitat Program through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
More information on the study