Outcome of aggressive interactions between American black ducks and mallards during the breeding season
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
American black duck (Anas rubripes) numbers have declined during the past several decades, while mallards (A. platyrhynchos) have expanded their range eastward. Competitive exclusion of black ducks from wetlands by mallards has been proposed as a principal cause of the decline. We studied a sympatric population of black ducks and mallards in Maine during the early breeding season to document behavior and interactions. We observed 832 aggressive interactions; most (72%) were interspecific. When a choice was available, both species interacted more often with conspecifics than with the other species (P < 0.028). On wetlands occupied simultaneously by both species, numbers of intraspecific interactions initiated by each species were similar (P = 0.470). The proportions of won (initiator displaces recipient of attack), lost (initiator displaced), and "no change" outcomes of these interactions were different (P < 0.001). When black ducks initiated interactions with mallards, black ducks did not lose any interactions and displaced mallards 87.2% of the time; no change occurred during 12.8% of the interactions. When mallards initiated interactions with black ducks, mallards displaced black ducks 63.3% of the time but were displaced by black ducks 15.0% of the time; no change occurred during 21.7% of the interactions. Displacement from wetlands was rare (38 of 229 interspecific interactions) and was equal between species.
Publication type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Title | Outcome of aggressive interactions between American black ducks and mallards during the breeding season |
Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
DOI | 10.2307/3802271 |
Volume | 62 |
Issue | 1 |
Year Published | 1998 |
Language | English |
Publisher | Wildlife Society |
Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
Description | 8 p. |
First page | 134 |
Last page | 141 |
Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |