Diurnal activity budgets of Black Ducks during their annual cycle in Prince Edward Island

Scan sampling (N = 68 193 observations) and continuous observation (N = 659 h) of Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) in Prince Edward Island between 19 April 1976 and 1 September 1977 were used to estimate their seasonal activity budgets. Percent of time spent resting increased with increasing wind chill during fall (47.9–63.5%) and winter (76.9–85.5%). Ducks fed less and rested more with increasing tide level during all seasons. Females spent more time feeding than their mates during late winter (9.7%) and the breeding season (15.1%). Behavior of pairs varied depending on the habitat occupied. Feeding was the major activity of Black Duck pairs and of brood hens and ducklings. Resting dominated fall and winter behavior although some sites were more important for foraging during winter. Behavioral changes between seasons apparently reflect different strategies employed by Black Ducks within their yearly cycle.