Variation in Winter Fat Depots and Condition Indices of Mallards

Dynamic relationships among endogenous fat reserves, body weight, and occur when waterfowl experience severe weather and other stressful conditions. Because fat represents the major store of energy in the body, its accumulation and depletion are major influences on weight changes in waterfowl (Blem 1976, Raveling 1979, Reinecke et al. 1982). Owen and Cook (1977) defined condition as an individual's fitness to with-