Resources related to Wintering Habitat

Foraging Behavior of Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) and White-winged Scoters (M. fusca) In Relation to Clam Density: Inferring Food Availability and Habitat Quality

Auk 125:149-157.
Abstract.—Birds are known to modify their foraging behavior in relation to food availability.
Once understood, these relationships can be used to draw inferences about relative food
availability and habitat quality. We measured foraging behavior of Surf Scoters(Melanitta perspicillata)
and White-winged Scoters (M. fusca) feeding on clams during winter in the Strait of Georgia,
British Columbia, to evaluate the relative quality of the foraging landscape for wintering scoters.

Behaviour and Ecology of Sea Ducks

Sea Ducks have been marginalized in Waterfowl conservation and management programs as most attention has been focused on the "sport ducks" notably mallards. In fact much of our understanding of the demography and harvest of ducks is based on the mallard model. Preceived lack of interest in the Sea Ducks had led to liberal management of this group. Large harvests in Southern areas and intense subsistence use in the North have proved a dangerous combination.

Wintering Snowy Owls feed on Sea Ducks in the Belcher Islands, Nunavut, Canada

j. Raptor Res. 37(2):164-166¸ 2003 The Raptor Research Foundation, Inc.
Short Communications
While studying the ecology of sea ducks wintering around the Belcher Islands, we
also recorded Snowy Owls (Gilchrist and Robertson 2000). Herein, we expand on
our observations of Snowy Owls, describing their distribution and their relationship
w•th wintering Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) and Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis).

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