Body Weight and Carcass Composition of Nonbreeding Green-Winged Teal on the Southern High Plains of Texas

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Abstract
Body weight and carcass composition of nonbreeding green-winged teal (Anas crecca) were analyzed from September to March 1980-82 on the Southern High Plains (SHP) of Texas. Body weight and lipid content of each sex and age class were low when teal arrived on the SHP in September. Body weights and probably lipid reserves then increased to highest levels by December but declined during January-February. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among sex and age classes in the lipid reserves present during mid-winter. Food resources and weather conditions did not restrict energy intake of teal throughout winter. Therefore, declines in body weights and lipid reserves appeared to be an adaptation to, rather than a consequence of, winter conditions. However, annual differences in levels of lipid reserves may be caused by factors such as snowfall, low temperatures, and high wind speeds.

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