2012 Trends Report Indicates High Duck Breeding Population Numbers
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| Waterfowl in Lake Bowdoin (Photo credit: USFWS Mountain Prairie) |
the 2012 “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations” report estimates waterfowl
production in North America’s duck factory is at a record high. This
year’s report estimate of 48.6 million is significantly higher than the
45.6 million birds estimated last year and 43 percent above the long-term
average.
This annual report summarizes information about the status of duck
populations and wetland habitats collected by wildlife biologists from the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Canadian Wildlife Service for the Waterfowl
Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (Survey). The Survey samples more
than two million square miles of waterfowl habitat across the United
States and Canada.
Highlights from the Survey in the north-central United States,
south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska (the traditional survey
area) include the following population estimates:
Mallard abundance is 10.6 million – a 15 percent increase over
2011 and a 39 percent increase over the long-term average of 7.6 million.
Gadwall abundance is 10 percent above the 2011 estimate, and 96
percent above the long-term average.
American wigeon abundance increased 3 percent from 2011, but
remains 17 percent below the long-term average.
Abundance of green-winged teal and blue-winged teal were 3.5
million and 9.2 million, which were 20 percent and 3 percent above their
2011 numbers. Both species continue to remain well above their long-term
averages by 74 percent and 94 percent, respectively.
Abundance for northern shovelers is 5.0 million, which is 8
percent above 2011, and 111 percent above their long-term average.
Northern pintails are at 3.5 million which is 22 percent below the
2011 estimate and 14 percent below the long-term average.
Redhead abundance was unchanged from last year but 89 percent
above the long-term average.
Canvasback abundance was 0.8 million, which was 10 percent above
last year’s estimate and 33 percent above their long-term average
The combined lesser and greater scaup abundance estimate was 5.2
million, which was 21 percent above the 2011 estimate and 4 percent above
the long-term average.
In the eastern survey area (northeastern United States and eastern
Canada), the estimated abundance for American black duck, green-winged
teal, and merganser populations showed an increase from 2011 estimates in
this area. The survey showed declines in abundance for mallards,
goldeneyes, and ring-necked ducks..
Habitat conditions observed across the survey areas during the 2012
Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by
average to below-average moisture, especially in the southern portions;
due primarily to a mild winter and an early spring.
The 2012 Survey’s estimate of ponds for the north-central U.S. was 1.7
million, which was 49 percent below the 2011 estimate of 3.2 million, and
similar to the long-term average. Significant decreases in wetland numbers
and conditions occurred in the U.S. Prairies during 2012. Nearly all of
the north-central U.S. habitat was rated as good to excellent in 2011;
however, only the habitat in the coteau region of North and South Dakota
was rated as good in 2012, and no areas were rated as excellent habitat
this year. Drastic wetland declines in western South Dakota and Montana
resulted in mostly poor to fair habitat conditions.
The annual Survey guides the Service’s waterfowl conservation programs
under authority of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service works
in partnership with state biologists from the four flyways – the Atlantic,
Mississippi, Central and Pacific – to establish regulatory frameworks for
waterfowl hunting season lengths, dates, and bag limits, derived in part
from the data gathered through this annual survey.
The entire “Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, 1955-2012” report can be
downloaded from the Service's Web site at
http://www.fws.gov/
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