American black duck (Anas rubripes) populations have declined by as much as 60%on their wintering grounds and continue to be a species of management concern. Our current understanding of wintering ecology suggests that availability of food energy is the primary factor limiting populations of waterfowl. Although daily energetic expenditure ( DEE) has been calculated for American black ducks wintering along the Atlantic coast, additional habitat and food resource information is necessary to assist in directing conservation efforts for wintering American black duck populations. The primary objective of this study is to determine what type and how many acres of coastal habitat are required to support North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) goals of wintering and spring staging American black ducks along the north Atlantic Flyway. The main goals of this research are to 1) Determine the time spent in and the activities of female black ducks in specified habitats on Long Island, New York and 2) Assess food availability and depletion by habitat type. Results derived from this project will play an influential role in implementing future management techniques aimed at enhancing the productivity and foraging values of important staging and wintering habitats for American black ducks and other waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway.
