Chronology and Behavior of American Widgeon Wintering in Texas

Abstract

American widgeon (Mareca americans) wintering in the Texas Panhandle in recent years began arriving by September 10. The main flock arrived on an average date of October 27 at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. Peak widgeon populations, sometimes numbering over 200,000 birdls at Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, are usually reached by late December. Widgeon may comprise as much as 30 percent of the total duck population wintering in the Panhandle region. Sex ratios at this time typically show a preponderance of males (average of 65 percent). Widgeon are generally regarded as initiating courtship later ian most other species of puddle ducks (Anss spp.), but courtship behavior, as measured by male-female associations, was observed in 27 percent of the widgeon wintering near Lubbock in late November 1970. Courtship flights were observed on several occasions as were three instances of copulatory sequences. The earliest copulation occurred on January 22, 1971, well in advance of dates published elsewhere. After a wintering period of 10b105 days, the widgeon at each refuge departed the Texas Panhandle for their northern breeding areas. Current trends in North American waterfowl populations dictate that species of ducks not affected by drought or not adequately harvested should be identified so that sport hunting may be sustained at moderate levels ( Crissey 1965 ) . The advent of the point system has additionally contributed to ffie importance of minor species in the bag limit. The American widgeon population in the Central Flyway, and elsewhere, is significant in this context. Moreover, there is a general paucity of information concerning this species and its behavior during the winter months. As widgeon are abundant in much of the Texas Panhandle, a study of their migrational chronology, behavior, and general population characteristics in winter seems timely to the concept of species management. We are indebted to B. Blair and P. Ferguson at Muleshoe and Buffalo Lake national wildlife refuges, respectively, and to J. F. Gray for access to his land. We thank F. lThis study was supported by a grant from Organized Research for Agriculture, College of Agricultural Sciences, Texas Tech University. 752 C. Bellrose for assistance with the manuscript. REGIONAL DESCRIPTION