Hypothesis 1: I hypothesize that sex differences influence foraging behaviour, specifically, female mallards will spend more time foraging, compared to male mallards.
Hypothesis 2: I hypothesize that a difference in the time spent on the periphery of the group will exist between male and female mallards.
Behavioural differences in the animal kingdom, due to sex, have been of interest in recent literature examining the conservation and reproduction of wildlife. Despite the current interest in conservation and reproduction, research analyzing waterfowl, specifically mallards, remains low. This may pose a concern in coming years, as recent analyses show that the population of adult female mallards is dwindling, with the ratio of males to females nearly three to one (Alisauskas et al., 2013).
The processes or causes underlying the decline of the female mallard population are not yet understood. However, understanding behavioural differences between male and female mallards may aid in future research to protect their numbers and ensure reproduction remains steady, by providing knowledge on their natural behaviours. In the current study, I shall explore sex differences in foraging behaviours and time spent on the group’s periphery. This information could prove crucial in understanding population numbers and reproduction.
Keywords: Behavioural differences, sex differences, mallards, feeding habits
Reference
Alisauskas, R.T., Arnold, T.W., Leafloor, J.O., Otis, D.L., Sedinger, J.S. 2013. Lincoln estimates of mallard (anas platyrhynchos) abundance in north america. Ecology and Evolution 4(2): 132-143. https://wildfowl.wwt.org.uk/index.php/wildfowl/article/viewFile/518/518
A good start, in general your topic seems to cover foraging behaviour and sex differences and there are implications for survival and reproduction / fitness.