Brooding of Young Ducklings by Female Eiders Somateria mollissima

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Abstract
Broods and creches of eider ducklings were observed on the Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire, Scotland [UK] from 1972-1974. Females sometimes brooded ducklings while roosting until 2 wk of age. Frequency of brooding decreased with age, and was higher in bad weather (rain and wind) than good. Activity observations showed that time spent roosting did not change with weather. More time was spent feeding in bad weather than good. The need for brooding does not conflict with feeding requirements in this species. Counts of the ducklings and females in 516 creches showed tht all but 44 creches had enough females to brood all the ducklings, and that only 4.7% of ducklings were potentially exposed to chilling. Inadequacy of brooding due to the creche system was a minor mortality factor on the Ythan Estuary.

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