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Waterfowl Habitat


Shorebird
Waterfowl


Image: Ruddy Duck
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
Multi-species management of actively managed wetlands entails properly timed and well-targeted hydrological manipulations to create suitable habitat conditions for a diversity of wildlife while still targeting the predominant avian group(s) that areas were established to protect.
Many National Wildlife Refuges and State Wildlife management Areas were established as waterfowl management areas. Nowadays, Refuges and State Management Areas are managed for the benefit of several species, including shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, eagles, song birds, and fish.

What constitutes suitable waterfowl habitat?
Ducks are divided up into two broad feeding guilds, with associated habitat restrictions. They are called Diving ducks and Dabbling ducks. Divers propel themselves underwater with large feet. Therefore, they require deep water, at least 1.5 feet to dive below the surface in pursuit of food. Their feet are set far back on the body. Dabblers forage in shallow water (usually less then 10"), skimming food from the surface or dipping their heads below the surface to wetland bottoms to find food. They have small feet and their legs are situated more forward on the body. Examples of Divers include the Canvasback, Scaup, and Ruddy duck. Examples of Dabblers include the Mallard, Blue-winged Teal, Northern Pintail and Shoveler.
Image: Ring-necked Ducks
Ring-necked Ducks (Aythya collaris)
Managed wetlands include impoundments, and "moist soil units". These are wetlands that have dikes separating them into manageable units where water levels can be controlled, that is, lowered or raised to create the right conditions to grow food producing natural plants and make them available to wildlife. Some coastal marshes were formerly made into impoundment's. Today new impoundment's or "moist soil units" are typically made from wetlands that were drained and therefore lost their wetland functions. These drained wetlands can be restored to a managed wetland by building dikes and/or installing water control structures that allow them to be managed for wildlife. Impoundment units are sometimes connected to an estuary. Hydrology is manipulated using water controls structures such as culverts and pumps. Water levels may also be influenced by precipitation, evaporation, tide cycles, and wind. Shorebird habitat is created by drawing down water levels and providing mudflats or sparsely vegetated shallow water areas.

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