Duck Populations Strong Despite Decreasing Numbers

While duck populations in the United States and Canada have declined 6 percent in the last year, the countries' overall duck population still exceeds the long-term average by 33 percent, according to a briefing from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

FWS's 2013 report on trends in duck breeding populations indicated there are an estimated 45.6 million ducks in the survey areas, which encompasses north-central United States, south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska. The duck estimate is less than last year's estimate of 48.6 million birds.

While most of the 2 million square mile survey area experienced a delayed spring, the FWS reports that duck habitat conditions during the 2013 survey were generally improved or similar to last year due to above-average precipitation.

Pond numbers are also up from 2012. Ponds in prairie Canada and the north-central United States combined number 6.9 million, which is 24 percent higher than the 2012 estimate of 5.5 million ponds and 35 percent above the long-term average.

Most of the Canadian portion of the duck survey area received good-to-excellent habitat ratings, however the the U.S. prairies received record snowfall in April and were rated fair-to-poor as duck habitats.

The annual duck population survey, which began in 1955, acts as a guide for waterfowl conservation programs.

Particulars of the 2013 duck population survey include:

• Estimated mallard abundance is 10.4 million birds, similar to the 2012 estimate of 10.6 million birds and 36 percent above the long-term average.
• Blue-winged teal estimated abundance is 7.7 million. Although this is 16 percent below the 2012 estimate of 9.2 million, the blue-wing population is 60 percent above the long-term average. Similarly, the green-winged teal estimate of 3.1 million is 12 percent below last year but still 51 percent above their long-term average.
• The northern pintail estimate of 3.3 million is similar to the 2012 estimate of 3.5 million and 17 percent below the long-term average.
• Estimated abundance of American wigeon is 2.6 million and 23 percent above the 2012 estimate and similar to the long-term average.
• The combined lesser and greater scaup estimate of 4.2 million decreased 20 percent from last year and is 17 percent below the long-term average of 5 million. The canvasback estimate of 787,000 is similar to the 2012 estimate and 37 percent above the long-term average.