A.J. Nault
Thomas C. Michot
1993
<p><span>Habitat management decisions for diving ducks in winter are limited by the lack of information concerning their use of nearshore and offshore zones. Therefore, we compared diets of redheads (<i>Aythya americana</i>) collected from nearshore (n = 206) and offshore (n = 72) zones during winters at the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, 1987-89. A greater (P < 0.05) proportion of redheads from nearshore had food in their esophagus and proventriculus than redheads from offshore. Feeding redheads in the offshore zone consumed more (P < 0.05) animal matter (42% in esophagus) and less plant material (58%) than conspecifics feeding nearshore (13% animal, 87% plant). Contents of proventriculi showed the same trend (P < 0.05). Zone-related diet differences occurred in both sexes and in early and late winter. Food availability and nutritional needs may affect these differences.</span></p>
application/pdf
10.2307/3809419
en
Wiley
Diet differences in Redheads from nearshore and offshore zones in Louisiana
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