Response of Blue-winged Teal to Range Management on Waterfowl Production Areas in Southeastern South Dakota

Abstract

The blue-winged teal (Anas discors) was the predominant upland-nesting waterfowl species in Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's) in southeastern South Dakota. In native plant communities, factors that resulted in high nest density and success were excellent range condition (high proportion of climax vegetational and matted residual vegetation. In tame plant communities, smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) cover in which residual vegetation formed a matted mulch had high nest densities and nest success.