Intro To Waterfowl Education Winneconne High School AgriScience Department Wildlife, Fish and Forestry Management

Real Life Situations

Objectives Learn Identifying Characteristics of various species Explore current issues in Waterfowl Management Research current waterfowl hunting and viewing techniques

Waterfowl Includes…ducks, geese, loons, grebes, cranes, and other shore birds Red Necked Grebe Sandhill Crane

Identifying Characteristics Habitat, Action, Color, Shape, Sound What are the identifying characteristics for this animal?

Waterfowl Habitat Marshes Small Potholes Deep bodies of water Stubble Swathed grain fields

The Action Attraction Wing Beats Flocking Behavior Long Lines Shifting vs. Waving Lines Small Bunches Ground Behavior

Which behaviors are they looking for?

Shape, Size, and Color Large or Small Head Broad or narrow bills Fat or slender bodies Long or short tails A Rainbow of Colors exists

Listen Up! Sound of wings Sound of ‘quack’ Squeal Whistle Other noises

Feathers and Down Most adult ducks shed their body feathers twice a year Most drakes lose their bright plumage after mating Eclipse Plumage, hen-like appearance

Winged Feathers Winged feathers are usually shed once a year Wing colors are always the same and the most reliable feature for identifying a duck

Eclipse Plumage Drake Spring plumage Hen Drake full eclipse * Most ducks shed their body feathers twice each year. Nearly all ducks lose their bright plumage after mating and for a few weeks resemble the females. This hen-like appearance is called the eclipse plumage. The return of breeding coloration varies in species and individuals of each species. * Wing feathers are shed only once a year. Wing colors are always the same. Drakes emerging from eclipse Drake Fall plumage

A Goose that can fly…