Environmental Science
8 years ago

Wetlands study challenges belief that mallards outcompete black ducks.

Wildlife Society Bulletin
Dynamic use of wetlands by black ducks and mallards: evidence against competitive exclusion
Daniel G. McAuley, David A. Clugston, Jerry R. Longcore

Paper Summary

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The study observed black ducks and mallards in wetlands to see if they share the same habitats. They found that most wetlands were used by both species, with different combinations of ducks seen throughout the day. Aerial surveys underestimated the number of duck pairs present in the wetlands. This suggests that black ducks and mallards do not exclusively use different habitats, contradicting the idea that mallards are pushing out black ducks from fertile wetlands.