Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2006

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Biology and Microbiology

First Advisor

Charles D. Dieter

Abstract

Banding data is a vital source of biological information used in management of North American waterfowl populations. These data are used to determine migration routes, sex and age ratios, mortality rates and regional hunting pressure. This project evaluated variables associated with duck banding including trap style, site selection, weather interactions, and capture stress of trapped ducks associated with different trap styles. Sampling for this project was conducted as part of the United States/Canada Cooperative Waterfowl Banding Program. The Western Canadian Banding Program consists of 16 banding locations in 3 Canadian provinces and the Northwest Territories. The area near Medicine Hat, Alberta provides permanent water in Murray and Seven Persons reservoirs. These lakes are located approximately 40.25 km southwest of Medicine Hat, directly south of Seven Persons, Alberta. During the 2002 field season, 3 trap designs (Benning II, cloverleaf, and star) were tested over 386 trap days. I captured 10,966 ducks and 4,768 were banded with 6,230 recaptures of previously banded ducks in 2002. The effect of trap style on capture rates was significant in 2002 (P< 0.01). Three trap styles (Benning II, large cloverleaf, and oval with lead) were tested during the 2003 field season. I captured 10,849 ducks and 5,347 ducks were banded over 3 72 trap days during the 2003 field season while 5,502 ducks were recaptured in 2003. The effect of trap style on duck capture rates was significant in 2003 (P< 0.01 ). Oval traps with 6-m lead panels had the highest capture rate (48.5) ducks per trap day, a rate higher than capture rates of Benning II and cloverleaf traps. During 2004, 3 trap styles (Benning II, oval with lead, oval without lead) were tested. I captured 11,737 ducks and banded 5,292 ducks with 6,445 recaptured during 228 trap-days. The effect of trap style was highly significant in 2004 (P< 0.0 1 ). Oval traps with 6-m lead panels caught significantly more ducks than either oval trap without lead panels or Benning II traps. Over 3 field seasons, significant differences in capture rates between trap designs were evident. Star and cloverleaf trap designs were not effective at capturing ducks during the first 2 field seasons. Benning II box traps were reasonably effective during all 3 field seasons. Oval traps with 6-m lead panels were most effective for capturing ducks in southern Alberta during the second and third field seasons. Using oval traps with lead panels will significantly increase duck capture for banding operations in western Canada without increasing stress or mortality to captured ducks.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Ducks -- Canada, Western
Bird banding -- Canada, Western
Animal traps -- Canada, Western

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright