Post 3: Ongoing Field Observations (Mallards)

McArthur Island Park

October 29, 2023

Season: Fall

Temperature: +4 degrees Celsius 

Time of day: 11:20 am

Conditions: Sunny

The organism of interest: Mallards (79 observed today)

Three locations along the environmental gradient (from previous observations) alongside observations made in each location:

Location 1: Along the walking path beneath some overhanging trees, to the left of the bridge (S.W).

• Nine mallards were observed along the walking path beneath the trees (five females, and four males).
• Mallards were observed resting in pairs, three pairs made up of one female and one male and one pair consisting of two females 
• One lone male mallard was observed on the outskirts of the group and appeared to be more observant than the other mallards 

Location 2: Along the bank of the river (S.E)

• Seven mallards were observed along the bank of the river (five females, two males)
• Mallards were once again observed in pairs, however, only one pair consisted of a male and female paired together, with two pairs comprised of all females
• One lone male was observed on the outskirts of the group
• The group consisting of one male and one female appeared to be resting, the rest of the females and one lone male were foraging.
• Female mallards spent more time foraging

Location 3: In the North Thompson River

• 58 mallards were observed in the waters of the North Thompson River (26 females, 32 males)
• Mallards (M and F) were much more active in the water in comparison to on land
• Mallards on the periphery appeared to be less active than those in the centre of the group
• Group numbers appear to be much higher in this location (in the water) in comparison to the other two locations (on land)
• Mallards appear to be more aggressive in the water compared to land – two altercations were observed (female vs. female and male vs. male)

One underlying process that could explain some of the behaviour observed in each of the locations is the fact that mallard pairing and courtship take place over the fall and winter months. This would explain the pairs of ducks observed on land, and may also explain the lone males seen in smaller groups (unpaired males). Additionally, this could explain the aggressive behaviour seen in the larger groups in the water (fighting over mates / chasing off other competitors). Additionally, there may be a difference in observed time foraging between the sexes due to preparations for the upcoming mating season or because males are preoccupied with mating rituals whereas females are more concerned with preparation for migration.

A potential hypothesis based on the above observations and assumptions:

I hypothesize that a difference in time spent foraging will exist between male and female mallards. Specifically, I predict female mallards will spend more time foraging, compared to male mallards.

Additionally, as a result of the more time spent foraging in females, I hypothesize that a difference will exist in flock position between male and female mallards. Specifically, I predict females will spend more time in shallow waters (periphery of the group) compared to males.

Based on my hypotheses/predictions, the response variable will be time spent foraging and time spent in flock position. Both of which would be continuous variables. The explanatory variable would be sex, a categorical variable.