11. |
- Arzel, Céline, et al.
(author)
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Does foraging in Teal Anas crecca depend on season and disturbance by predators?
- 2006
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In: Integrating science and duck management. ; , s. 131-
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To ensure wise management of migratory species it is crucial to know their energy requirements throughout their biological cycle, especially during periods like spring migration, that might affect future breeding success. Surprisingly, this period has seldom been studied. To start filling this gap for dabbling ducks and especially Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, we studied their foraging time and foraging methods along their Western European flyway from wintering to breeding grounds. Differences in foraging activity between sexes, species, years, seasons, sites and diel patterns were checked, as well as potential effects of disturbances by potential predators. Ducks of both sexes presented a fairly constant nocturnal foraging along the flyway, whereas diurnal foraging increased at periods of high requirements (spring, breeding, moulting). Ducks might thus not only be income breeders, but also income migrators (relying on the food they encounter along their flyway to fuel their travel). Moreover, Teal foraging depth increased along the flyway when disturbance due to potential predators decreased. This probably reflects their diet switch (from granivorous to carnivorous). The decrease in predator pressure probably makes it possible for teals to use riskiest behaviors (greater depths associated to eyes underwater and less prevention of predators).We thus highlight the need for adequate management of staging wetlands all along the flyway, since ducks have to fulfill high energy requirements there. Water level control may be useful to provide more shallow foraging habitats in which they can use less risky foraging techniques at times when nutrient needs increases and predation risk is relatively high.
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12. |
- Arzel, Céline, et al.
(author)
-
Does foraging in Teal Anas crecca depend on season and disturbance by predators?
- 2006
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- To ensure wise management of migratory species it is crucial to know their energy requirements throughout their biological cycle, especially during periods like spring migration, that might affect future breeding success. Surprisingly, this period has seldom been studied. To start filling this gap for dabbling ducks and especially Eurasian Teal Anas crecca, we studied their foraging time and foraging methods along their Western European flyway from wintering to breeding grounds. Differences in foraging activity between sexes, species, years, seasons, sites and diel patterns were checked, as well as potential effects of disturbances by potential predators. Ducks of both sexes presented a fairly constant nocturnal foraging along the flyway, whereas diurnal foraging increased at periods of high requirements (spring, breeding, moulting). Ducks might thus not only be income breeders, but also income migrators (relying on the food they encounter along their flyway to fuel their travel). Moreover, Teal foraging depth increased along the flyway when disturbance due to potential predators decreased. This probably reflects their diet switch (from granivorous to carnivorous). The decrease in predator pressure probably makes it possible for teals to use riskiest behaviors (greater depths associated to eyes underwater and less prevention of predators).We thus highlight the need for adequate management of staging wetlands all along the flyway, since ducks have to fulfill high energy requirements there. Water level control may be useful to provide more shallow foraging habitats in which they can use less risky foraging techniques at times when nutrient needs increases and predation risk is relatively high.
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13. |
- Arzel, Céline, et al.
(author)
-
Individual strategies of dabbling ducks : a circum-annual perspectice
- 2003
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In: Third North American duck symposium. ; , s. 73-
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Very little is still known about the ecology of dabbling ducks on staging areas in spring, despite the fact that this is a crucial period of the year when birds refuel during migration and prepare for subsequent reproduction. This lack of knowledge translates into the current inability to predict the consequences of changes in the environment and harvesting for the population dynamics of ducks. We have launched a joint project to study dabbling ducks in the flyway connecting wintering grounds in France with breeding areas in Sweden. The aim is to study individual dabbling ducks in a circumannual perspective. We are assessing food resource limitation, density-dependent effects and the role of competition by estimating available food, by using a reference functional response curve and by recording the foraging behaviour of wild individual dabbling ducks. We also study survival probability and breeding success, and we will assess inter-individual variation. Birds are captured, weighed, marked and subsequently observed in order to study foraging behaviour and potentially measure the changes in body mass across time through recaptures. Ducks are fitted with nasal marks for individual recognition. Eventually, we will provide a model to predict the number of young that a female duck will produce after simple measurements such as its date of arrival on the breeding grounds and its body-mass at this date. Duckling foraging efficiency and survival will be measured and the relationship with corresponding estimates for their mother will be explored.
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14. |
- Arzel, Céline, et al.
(author)
-
Individual strategies of dabbling ducks : a circum-annual perspectice
- 2003
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Very little is still known about the ecology of dabbling ducks on staging areas in spring, despite the fact that this is a crucial period of the year when birds refuel during migration and prepare for subsequent reproduction. This lack of knowledge translates into the current inability to predict the consequences of changes in the environment and harvesting for the population dynamics of ducks. We have launched a joint project to study dabbling ducks in the flyway connecting wintering grounds in France with breeding areas in Sweden. The aim is to study individual dabbling ducks in a circumannual perspective. We are assessing food resource limitation, density-dependent effects and the role of competition by estimating available food, by using a reference functional response curve and by recording the foraging behaviour of wild individual dabbling ducks. We also study survival probability and breeding success, and we will assess inter-individual variation. Birds are captured, weighed, marked and subsequently observed in order to study foraging behaviour and potentially measure the changes in body mass across time through recaptures. Ducks are fitted with nasal marks for individual recognition. Eventually, we will provide a model to predict the number of young that a female duck will produce after simple measurements such as its date of arrival on the breeding grounds and its body-mass at this date. Duckling foraging efficiency and survival will be measured and the relationship with corresponding estimates for their mother will be explored.
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15. |
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16. |
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17. |
- Champagnon, Jocelyn, et al.
(author)
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Changes in Mallard Anas platyrhynchos bill morphology after 30 years of supplemental stocking
- 2010
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In: Bird Study. - 0006-3657 .- 1944-6705. ; 57:3, s. 344-351
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Capsule Massive releases of captive-reared Mallard for hunting purposes have been practiced for 30 years. During this period the number of lamellae per centimetre of bill length in wild Mallard populations has decreased. Aims Every year since the 1970s, several million captive Mallard have been released in Europe. This may lead to a spread of unnatural phenotypes into the wild. Nevertheless, the consequences of such introductions have not been examined. Methods Two widespread and common migratory ducks were studied: Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Teal A. crecca. Mallard is the only duck species for which stocking programmes occur, and Teal served as a control. In a 'before-after' design, we compared duck bill lamellar density over the last 30 years. Results Lamellar density in Mallard, but not Teal, decreased. The observed 10% decrease occurred in the first (proximate) centimetre of the bill, the most crucial in terms of food filtration. Conclusions We hypothesize that the change in bill morphology was because of the propagation of captive Mallard into the wild: captive Mallard eat mainly large items, relaxing the natural selection pressure maintaining high lamellar density for sieving small prey in wild ducks.
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18. |
- Champagnon, Jocelyn, et al.
(author)
-
Changes in Mallard Anas platyrhynchos bill morphology after 30 years of supplemental stocking
- 2010
-
In: Bird Study. - : Taylor and Francis Ltd.. - 0006-3657 .- 1944-6705. ; 57:3, s. 344-351
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Capsule Massive releases of captive-reared Mallard for hunting purposes have been practiced for 30 years. During this period the number of lamellae per centimetre of bill length in wild Mallard populations has decreased. Aims Every year since the 1970s, several million captive Mallard have been released in Europe. This may lead to a spread of unnatural phenotypes into the wild. Nevertheless, the consequences of such introductions have not been examined. Methods Two widespread and common migratory ducks were studied: Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Teal A. crecca. Mallard is the only duck species for which stocking programmes occur, and Teal served as a control. In a 'before-after' design, we compared duck bill lamellar density over the last 30 years. Results Lamellar density in Mallard, but not Teal, decreased. The observed 10% decrease occurred in the first (proximate) centimetre of the bill, the most crucial in terms of food filtration. Conclusions We hypothesize that the change in bill morphology was because of the propagation of captive Mallard into the wild: captive Mallard eat mainly large items, relaxing the natural selection pressure maintaining high lamellar density for sieving small prey in wild ducks.
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19. |
- Champagnon, Jocelyn, et al.
(author)
-
Consequences of massive bird releases for hunting purposes : mallard Anas platyrhynchos in the Camargue, Southern France
- 2009
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In: Wildfowl. - 0954-6324 .- 2052-6458. ; :Special issue 2, s. 184-191
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The release of captive-reared fish and game animals into the wild is a common management practice in Europe and North America. In Europe, millions of reared birds are released each year yet the consequences of these release programmes have received little attention. This paper describes the massive introduction of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, a native migrant species released into the wild to increase the size of hunted populations. It provides the rationale for current and forthcoming experiments aimed at determining the effects of the augmentation of Mallard stocks on wild population genotype and survival rates.
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20. |
- Champagnon, Jocelyn, et al.
(author)
-
Consequences of massive bird releases for hunting purposes : mallard Anas platyrhynchos in the Camargue, Southern France
- 2009
-
In: Wildfowl. - : Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. - 0954-6324. ; :Special issue 2, s. 184-191
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The release of captive-reared fish and game animals into the wild is a common management practice in Europe and North America. In Europe, millions of reared birds are released each year yet the consequences of these release programmes have received little attention. This paper describes the massive introduction of Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, a native migrant species released into the wild to increase the size of hunted populations. It provides the rationale for current and forthcoming experiments aimed at determining the effects of the augmentation of Mallard stocks on wild population genotype and survival rates.
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