Nest Box Guide For Waterfowl - Alberta Conservation Association

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<strong>Waterfowl</strong>6 to 12 eggs per nestBufflehead (Bucephala albeola)Buffleheads are small diving ducks that nest mainly in western Canada. Theirrange coincides closely to that of the Northern Flicker, whose cavities theydepend on for nesting. Their buff-coloured eggs are laid every 1 to 2 daysand incubated for approximately 30 days.Buffleheads nest approximately two weeks later than goldeneye, from earlyMay to early June. A couple of days after hatching, the brood of ducklingsfollows the female to the nearest water body where they will remain forabout two months, until the flight stage.When monitoring a bufflehead box during the nesting season, gently openthe inspection door. If a female is present, close the door quietly and do notdisturb her. This little duck is always active and is a real pleasure to observe,especially if you are fortunate enough to have a pond in front of your home.NEST BOX GUIDE FOR WATERFOWL |7Actual size (average egg)Bufflehead eggs36 mm51 mm
<strong>Waterfowl</strong>NEST BOX GUIDE FOR WATERFOWL |8Common Merganser (Mergus merganser)6 to 17 eggs per nestThe largest of the cavity-nesting ducks, the Common Merganser feedslargely on fish and crustaceans and is found along large rivers and lakes. Alarge cavity (or box) is needed for this species, with an entrance of 4.5 x 5inches allowing easy access. A merganser clutch will include 6-17 pale buffeggs and be incubated for 28-32 days. Mergansers often form large crèchesof 15 to 30 young and are often seen hugging the shoreline by boatersand fishermen.Actual size (average egg)46 mmCommon Mergansereggs66 mm
Page 1 and 2: Nest Box GuideFor WaterfowlAlberta
Page 4 and 5: IntroductionWhy Nest Boxes?Although
Page 6 and 7: Identifying Wildlife SpeciesThat Us
Page 8 and 9: WaterfowlCommon Goldeneye (Bucephal
Page 12 and 13: WaterfowlHooded Merganser (Lophodyt
Page 14 and 15: WaterfowlMixed Clutches and Dump Ne
Page 16: Other Occupants4 to 5 eggs per nest
Page 19 and 20: Other OccupantsBoreal Owl(Aegolius
Page 21 and 22: Other OccupantsNEST BOX GUIDE FOR W
Page 23 and 24: Other Occasional Users6 to 8 eggs p
Page 25 and 26: Other Occasional UsersNEST BOX GUID
Page 27 and 28: Other Occasional UsersWasps and Bee
Page 29 and 30: Nest Box CareNEST BOX GUIDE FOR WAT
Page 31 and 32: Nest Box CarePlace the initial boxe
Page 33 and 34: Nest Box CareProvide supplemental n

Nest Box Guide For Waterfowl - Alberta Conservation Association

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