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Nest Structures for Ducks and Geese

A Guide to the Construction, Placement, and Maintenance of
Nest Structures for Canada Geese, Mallards, and Wood Ducks

by:

Guy G. Zenner, Theodore G. Lagrange, and Alan W. Hancock

Wildlife Bureau
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034

September 1992

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For thousands of years, ducks and geese survived and reproduced in the natural habitats of North America without human assistance. However, with the arrival of the first European settlers, those natural habitats began to change. Millions of acres of wetlands, prairie, and forest were altered for human use, leaving waterfowl to survive on a small fraction of the habitat that once supported their ancestors in sky-darkening numbers.

To help waterfowl populations maintain themselves under these altered conditions, wildlife biologists have developed various techniques to improve habitat and increase nest success. This booklet focuses on one of these techniques: the use of artificial nest structures for the production of Canada geese, mallards, and wood ducks.

It is important to realize that nest structures will not solve all the problems facing waterfowl today. Nest structures only improve nest success for the few species that use them. The real problem facing our waterfowl populations is the continued loss of their natural wetland, grassland, and woodland habitats. This trend will only be reversed by sound land stewardship practices that address wildlife habitat requirements as well as human needs.

Credits and Contact Information

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This resource is based on the following source:

Zenner, Guy G., Theodore G. LaGrange, and Alan W. Hancock.  1992.  Nest 
     structures for ducks and geese.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 
     Des Moines, IA.  34pp.

This resource should be cited as:

Zenner, Guy G., Theodore G. LaGrange, and Alan W. Hancock.  1992.  Nest 
     structures for ducks and geese.  Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 
     Des Moines, IA.  Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center 
     Online.  http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/birds/neststru/index.htm
     (Version 16JUL97).

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Contents

Introduction

List of Figures

Giant Canada Geese

Introduction

Constructed Islands

Round Hay Bales

Culverts

Post Structures

Tree Structures

Floating Structures

Nest Materials and Maintenance

Mallards

Introduction

Constructed Islands

Round Hay Bales

Culverts

Post Structures

Tree Structures

Floating Structures

Nest Materials and Maintenance

Wood Ducks

Introduction

Post and Tree Structures

Nest Materials and Maintenance

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