Foraging by native and domestic ducks in urban lakes: behavioural implications of all that bread
| Posted: |
29/03/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Darryl Jones, Renee Chapman |
Wildlife feeding is a popular human-wildlife interaction throughout the Western World, yet remarkably little is known
about the practice and its infl uences. This study investigated the effects of anthropological feeding upon the natural
feeding ecology of the Pacifi c Black Duck Anas superciliosa and domestic duck taxa in ten urban lakes from South-east
Queensland. Randomly chosen individuals were observed for fi ve-minute sessions and their behaviours recorded during
four time periods: Early Morning; Late Morning; Early Afternoon; and Late Afternoon. Foraging behaviours were collated
into six behavioural categories of feeding, bread feeding, movement, resting, preening and social. A total of 200 ducks
were observed, 144 Pacifi c Black Ducks and 56 domestic duck races. The natural foraging activities of the Pacifi c Black
Duck occurred mainly in the early morning and late afternoon while domestic duck races foraged throughout the day.
Both the Pacifi c Black Duck and domestic duck races spent a greater proportion of time foraging naturally than feeding
on bread. Although conspicuous, bread feeding appeared to have little impact on the time spent obtaining natural foods.
The study also speculated that bread feeding may be monopolized by a few dominant individuals.
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