Spring Foods of Migrating Blue-Winged Teals on Seasonally Flooded Impoundments

Abstract

The possible importance of invertebrates to water fowl on migration and wintering areas has not been investigated thoroughly. To further the knowledge of foods consumed by prebreeding waterfowl, blue-winged teals (Anas discors) were collected prior to their arrival on the breeding grounds. Seasonally flooded impoundments supply important nutrients for waterfowl. Effective management results in densely vegetated, clear water areas that are highly productive for both seeds and invertebrates. Feeding waterfowl concentrate on these productive clear water areas more than on sparsely vegetated, turbid areas. Breeding waterfowl need high protein and Ca diets for maximum egg production and normal size clutches. Diets consisting largely of invertebrates can provide all the essential amino acids and Ca required for reproduction. The data indicated that an increased intake of animal protein was consumed by teals before they arrived on the breeding grounds. The reasons for this increased rate of animal consumption cannot be attributed solely to the need for protein for growth of the reproductive organs.