Locations and success of duck nests evaluated through discriminant analysis

Abstract

Nest-site preferences and site characteristics associated with nest success for several species of ducks were evaluated using step-wise discriminant analysis of 552 duck nests and 345 random sites in uplands at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin, during 1977-78. Nests generally were nearer to water and another nest, and in cover that was taller, more dense, and composed of more short grasses and less alfalfa than random sites. Successful nests averaged farther from water and were in cover composed of fewer small forbs and short grasses than nests destroyed by predators, probably because of high predator densities near water and poor concealment afforded nests by short cover species.