NESTING AND BROOD REARING ECOLOGY OF AN URBAN WATERFOWL POPULATION (ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS) AND BRANTA CANADENSIS) IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

The effects of crowding on nesting and brood rearing behavior and ecology in an urban waterfowl population were observed during an investigation of the population's breeding behavior. This study was conducted in and around the Allentown, Pennsylvania city park system from 1 January 1977 through...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 1984-01, Vol.58 (2), p.175-180
Main Authors: MASTER, TERRY L., OPLINGER, CARL S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal nesting
BIOLOGY
Bird nesting
Ducklings
Eggs
Geese
Nesting sites
Nesting tables
Ponds
Population ecology
Waterfowl
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Summary:The effects of crowding on nesting and brood rearing behavior and ecology in an urban waterfowl population were observed during an investigation of the population's breeding behavior. This study was conducted in and around the Allentown, Pennsylvania city park system from 1 January 1977 through 14 August 1977 (Oplinger 1977). The waterfowl population consisted largely of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) including Pekins, Rouens and various mixtures thereof, and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Mallard nesting success and brood survivability appeared to be density dependent with low success and survivability corresponding to the most dense nesting conditions. Canada Geese, although exhibiting some of these tendencies to a lesser degree, were able to adapt to the crowded conditions and enjoyed relatively high nesting success and brood survivability.
ISSN:0096-9222