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 BureauIowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
September 1992
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
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).
Contents
- Introduction
- List of Figures
- Giant Canada Geese
- List of Figures
- Introduction
- Constructed Islands
- Round Hay Bales
- Culverts
- Post Structures
- Tree Structures
- Floating Structures
- Nest Materials and Maintenance
- Constructed Islands
- Mallards
- Introduction
- Constructed Islands
- Round Hay Bales
- Culverts
- Post Structures
- Tree Structures
- Floating Structures
- Nest Materials and Maintenance
- Constructed Islands
- Wood Ducks
- Introduction
- Post and Tree Structures
- Nest Materials and Maintenance
- Post and Tree Structures
neststru.zip (541K) -- Nest Structures for Ducks and GeeseInstallation: Extract all files and open index.htm in a web browser.