Use of nest boxes by wood ducks in Mississippi
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Published source details
Strange T.H., Cunningham E.R. & Goertz J.W. (1971) Use of nest boxes by wood ducks in Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management, 35, 786-793.
Published source details Strange T.H., Cunningham E.R. & Goertz J.W. (1971) Use of nest boxes by wood ducks in Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management, 35, 786-793.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Provide artificial nesting sites for wildfowl Action Link |
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Provide artificial nesting sites for wildfowl
A before-and-after trial in a mixed forest and wetland site in Mississippi, USA (Strange et al. 1971), found that the population of wood ducks Aix sponsa in the study site increased dramatically following the installation of 253 nest boxes between 1966 and 1969 (average of 30-35 pairs in 1960-5 vs. 231 nest boxes used in 1969). Between 1966 and 1969, 15,273 eggs were laid in nest boxes, with 6,036 ducklings leaving nest boxes. In contrast, ten belt transects (20 m x 1,128-5,486 m) detected 27 natural nesting cavities, none of which were used by ducks. Hatching success was 67% in nest boxes, with 10% of eggs being predated in 1969. A further study at a wetland site in Louisiana, USA, found that, in 1969, 53% of 30 nest boxes erected were used by wood ducks, with 243 eggs laid, of which 47% hatched (34% were destroyed by predators).
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