Delta Leads in Innovative Waterfowl and Wetlands Research

Waterfowl management decisions should always be based on sound science. Since 1938, Delta Waterfowl’s innovative Research and Education Program has led to important discoveries to inform waterfowl management, improve duck production, and enhance wetland conservation.

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Identification of Redhead and Canvasback Eggs

Using genetics to improve visual identification

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Hot Spot Trapping to Improve Dabbler Production

Evaluating dabbler nest success with a new trapping techniques

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Graduate Student Retention Survey

Gaining an understanding of
limitations for trained waterfowl graduate students to stay in the profession

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Lower Mississippi Flyway Dabbler Tracking

Determining duck locations during hunting seasons and migration

A graphic presentation of Delta Waterfowl's four pillar icons and the the text, "DELTA HAS TRAINED MORE THAN 600 MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS, INCLUDING SOME OF TODAY’S FOREMOST WATERFOWL BIOLOGISTS."
canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Strategic Placement of Hen Houses

Using a suite of collected data to optimize Hen House placement and predict usage rates

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

California Hen Houses

Testing the success of Hen Houses in the Intermountain West

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Duck Harvest, Survival, and Sex Ratios

Understanding the factors for changing sex ratios

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Spatiotemporal Variation in Duck Demographic Rates 

How environmental change influences duck population dynamics 

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Analyzing Canvasback Production

What’s driving declines in productivity in southwestern Manitoba?

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Evaluating Styles of Radio Attachments

An assessment of radio attachment methods to understand transmitter impacts on mallards

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Saskatchewan Nest and Brood Success

Development of a rapid duckling production tool for upland-nesting ducks in Saskatchewan

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

How Habitat Selection Affects Nest Success

Examining quality of upland habitat and predation on nest survival

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Manitoba Canvasback Brood Survival

Tracking marked Canvasback hens to study their brood survival and movement rates

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Predator Management in Alberta Parklands

Contemporary assessment of duck nest success

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Using Stable Isotopes to Identify Duck Origins

Atlantic Flyway dabbling duck study

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Monitoring Wood Duck Nest Boxes

Recruitment in Delaware and Maryland

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Blue-winged Teal Survival During Non-Breeding Periods

Studying habitat selection and factors influencing migration

Research Leaders

A graphic presentation of Delta Waterfowl's four pillar icons and the the text, "DELTA WATERFOWL’S RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM HAS RESULTED IN MORE THAN 950 PEER- REVIEWED STUDIES."

Over 600 master’s and doctoral students

More than 600 papers published

Throughout the organization’s storied history, Delta Waterfowl has amassed an impressive body of research that includes supporting more than 600 master’s and doctoral students and publishing over 950 peer-reviewed studies. Delta’s research has profoundly influenced how waterfowl, wetlands and annual harvest are managed. It has also provided biologists, technicians and young scientists with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and guidance to become leaders in waterfowl and wetland conservation. We are extremely proud that many of Delta’s former students are working for government and non-government agencies, as well as universities. Delta Waterfowl’s important waterfowl and wetland research is made possible by you — our generous donors, members and volunteers. We deeply appreciate your support.

Download Research and Education 2024 Status Update

Delta has continually focused research on ducks and duck hunting issues in North America. This strategy allows The Duck Hunters Organization to study important, long-term issues, as well as new concerns impacting ducks and duck hunters.