Annual and seasonal survival of adult female Mottled Ducks in southern Florida, USA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Continuing human population growth and urbanization in Florida may impact the survival of native birds, including the Florida Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula fulvigula). Survival of adult females is an important vital rate that affects population growth rates, thus estimates of female survival as well as sources of variation affecting survival rates are needed for the development of a more informed conservation plan for Florida Mottled Ducks. In this study, we estimated annual and seasonal survival rates of radio-tagged adult female Mottled Ducks (n = 236) using urban and rural areas in southern Florida from 2008 to 2011. Additionally, we tested for differences in survival among ducks using different geographic areas during the breeding season and that were exposed to different hunting regimes during the hunting season. Identifying the geographic areas where higher rates of mortality occur may allow for more effective habitat and harvest management of the Florida subspecies of Mottled Duck. Annual s...