Waterfowl Surveys
Counting waterfowl and surveying their habitat is a tradition that dates back to DUC's earliest years. Today, DUC biologists and staff continue to regularly survey and assess waterfowl populations and the habitat conditions for waterfowl across the country.
To learn more about the condition of wetlands and waterfowl habitat across Canada review the current report on Habitat Conditions in Canada. Reports are updated regularly.
Waterfowl population surveys
Every spring and summer, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) pilot-biologists take to the skies to survey North America’s waterfowl breeding grounds. Covering thousands of miles of habitat across the U.S. and Canada, they and others on the ground, record the number of ducks, geese and swans, and assess the quality and quantity of waterfowl breeding habitats.
The annual USFW Waterfowl Population Survey represents a long-standing partnership between the USFW, the Canadian Wildlife Service, state and provincial biologists, and private conservation partners. The results of these co-operative surveys determine the status of North America’s waterfowl populations, play a significant role in setting annual waterfowl hunting regulations, and help guide the decisions of waterfowl managers throughout North America.
2010 marks the Survey’s 55th year. Click here to learn more about the 2010 survey results.
