RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF WATERFOWL IN THE ORANGE FREE STATE

Abstract

Summary Geldenhuys. J. N. 1976. Relative abundance of waterfowl in the Orange Free State. Ostrich 47: 27–54. During 1971–1972 a census was conducted in the Orange Free State, Republic of South Africa, to investigate the relative abundance of duck species. The survey was carried out in both the wet and dry seasons. The results are presented by plotting seasonal distribution within quarter degree squares and classifying all records for each species into group size classes. Comparisons are made of total numbers, frequencies of occurrence and seasonal habitat utilization. Overall abundance, arranged according to percentages of the total duck population, was as follows: Rare to uncommon (< 1%)—White-faced Duck, Whistling Duck. Hottentot Teal, Maccoa Duck, Black Duck, White-backed Duck and Knob-billed Duck; common (4–9%)-Cape Teal, Cape Shoveller, Southern Pochard. Red-billed Teal and Spurwinged Goose; very common (19–20%)—Yellow-billed Duck and South African Shelduck; abundant (32%)—Egyptian Goose.