Seed Distribution by Waterfowl in Southwestern Louisiana

The relationship of waterfowl to the distribution of weed seed in rice fields of southwestern Louisiana was evaluated by examining the large intestines of hunter-killed waterfowl and by using controlled seed-feeding experiments to determine if viable seed pass through the digestive system. In the large intestines of 51 hunter-killed waterfowl of 7 species, 1,157 intact seed of 17 plant species were found. Only 2.5 percent of those seed germinated under laboratory conditions. The seed of 6 plant species were fed to 3 species of ducks and considerable variation was noted in degree of seed digestion. The germination rate of voided seed varied among plant species and in most cases was less than the control