Duck Numbers Down

The number of breeding ponds is up 18% but 9 of 10 of the most common species the population of ducks is down by 14%. In 2000 there were 42 million birds. Now there are 36.1 million. What went wrong?

Western Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Montana are top breeding grounds for ducks. These key areas have experienced unusually dry weather. Arizona duck hunters can expect fewer birds for this winters flight.

Don Young, Executive Vice President of DU, says that waterfowl populations naturally fluctuate, so this dip in numbers should not cause too much concern.

2001 Breeding Ducks By Species (x1000)

Species

2000

2001

% Change

 

 

 

 

Mallard

9,470

7,904

-17

 

 

 

 

Gadwall

3,158

2,679

-15

 

 

 

 

Wigeon

2,733

2,494

- 9

 

 

 

 

Green-winged Teal

3,194

2,509

- 21

 

 

 

 

Blue-winged Teal

7,431

5,757

- 23

 

 

 

 

Shoveler

3,521

3,314

- 6

 

 

 

 

Pintail

2,908

3,296

+13

 

 

 

 

Redhead

926

712

- 23

 

 

 

 

Canvasback

707

580

- 18

 

 

 

 

Scaup (greater and lesser)

4,026

3,694

- 8

 

 

 

 

 

Visit www.ducks.org. for more information.

 

Source: Newswire