RING-NECKED DUCKS

Ring-necked ducks (Aythya affinis) are particularly important in Florida because they constitute more than one-third of the state's annual waterfowl harvest. Ring-necked ducks breed in the boreal forest of northern Canada, but a majority of the ring-necked ducks in the Atlantic Flyway winter in Florida.  Long-term data sets indicate that approximately 66% of ring-necked ducks harvested in the Atlantic Flyway are harvested in Florida, making our efforts to provide quality wetland habitat that much more important. 

In 1994 and 1995, FWC waterfowl biologists participated in a cooperative effort to train banding crews in Canada on new techniques for banding ring-necked ducks on breeding areas.  Click here for more information.  In 1996, FWC staff provided technical support to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources for the purchase of an airboat from a manufacturer in Florida.  This marked the first of a three year project to evaluate operational airboat banding as part of the Ontario Co-operative Banding Project.  Canadian airboat crews banded 1,701 ducks during August and September 1996, including 103 ring-necked ducks; 1,851 ducks, including 151 ring-necked ducks, in 1997; and 2,144 ducks, including 279 ring-necked ducks, in 1998.  The FWC provides funding for cooperative banding efforts in Canada and remains vigilant in encouraging the Canadians to continue banding ring-necked ducks on the breeding grounds.  These efforts are important for justifying continued harvests of this species.

NORTHERN PINTAILS

In 2004 and 2005, FWC biologists assisted Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge staff in capturing female northern pintails (Anas acuta) as part of a satellite telemetry project.  The project was initiated by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and USGS – New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit at Cornell University.  Relationship of Northern Pintail Ducks in the Atlantic Flyway to the Continental Population was initiated to determine migration corridors and staging locations of pintails wintering in the southeast United States and to help understand the relationship between Atlantic Flyway populations of pintails and continental populations.  Other states assisting in this project were New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

WING BEE

FWC usually sends one or two biologists to Laurel, Maryland each year in late January to participate in the USFWS Cooperative Parts Collection Survey.  This survey, or Wingbee, uses duck wings and goose wings and tails to help determine age and gender ratios of different waterfowl species harvested in each of the Flyways throughout the United States.  Wings and tails are mailed in by hunters who are randomly selected from a group of Migratory Bird Permit holders.  Species, gender, and age are determined for each wing using feather wear and specific feather characteristics.  Species, Age and Sex Identification of Ducks Using Wing Plumage by Samuel Carney is an essential reference at the Wingbee.

ATLANTIC FLYWAY COUNCIL

Florida participates in international waterfowl management by sending representatives to serve on the Atlantic Flyway Council and Technical Section as voting members.  Representatives from 17 states and 6 Canadian provinces participate.  This council coordinates international survey and management efforts in the flyway and makes recommendations to the USFWS concerning appropriate waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits.  Florida participates in several cooperative flyway projects which help ensure that Florida's waterfowl enthusiasts continue to enjoy waterfowl.