Behaviour of unpaired male black ducks (Anas rubripes) during the breeding season in a Nova Scotia tidal marsh

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Abstract
Behavior of unpaired male black ducks throughout the breeding season was studied for 3 yr (1973, 1974, 1978) in the marsh of a tidal estuary near Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Males remained primarily on a communal area in the marsh. Reproductively oriented activities occurred from late March until late May and peaked in frequency and intensity in early April. Most frequently daily display occurred from 0800-1300 h. Unpaired males joined pairs singly or in groups but only grouped birds courted females. Unpaired males were tolerated on territories and some single males associated with pairs for several days. Groups joined pairs that foraged on the communal area, often persisting with them and disrupting their activity. Males appeared to prefer to court introduced unpaired females over paired females, which were always with their mates. Some males appeared successful in forming pair bonds with introduced females. Males did not attempt to rape famales either on territories or the communal area and mallard (A. platyrhynchos) and pintail (A. acuta) males courted female black ducks.