Hatch-Boosting Habitats

Hatch-Boosting Habitats

Explore the core ecosystems vital to sustaining all of your favorite ducks

By Christy Sweigart

When it comes time for waterfowlers to drift into a sweet slumber, some may be transported beneath a canopied Arkansas timber, along the shore of a northwestern Nebraska slough, to the golden fields of Saskatchewan, or aboard a Louisiana mud boat navigating equally heavy water and air. Maybe the reveries bring tornados of mallards sweeping over the corn stubble, or that trophy bull canvasback you glimpse only long enough to get a lead and drop him into the choppy waters keeping your layout boat afloat.

And though these scenarios are certainly what dreams are made of, I would argue that too often we overlook a slate of equally delightful scenes: The places that bring life to our otherwise in-your-dreams hunting scenarios.

But the waterfowl-producing northern latitudes of North America—the PPR, the Boreal Forest, and the Arctic—also deserve a slice of this dream real estate. While each region varies in its strengths and weaknesses, together they boast the continent’s most vital habitats for duck production. 

Boreal Forest: Crown of North America

Major nesting species: Mallards, green-winged teal, scaup (bluebills), ring-necked ducks, scoters, buffleheads, goldeneyes

Known as the “Crown of North America,” the Boreal Forest forms a green blanket over the continent’s northern latitudes spanning from Alaska to Newfoundland. Its towering conifers and tranquil wetlands create an otherworldly atmosphere—a stark contrast to the bustling prairies to its south. This forest is the largest intact biome on Earth and contains one-quarter of the world’s freshwater wetlands. And these wetlands, ranging from nutrient-poor peatlands to nutrient-rich marshes, play a critical role in waterfowl production.

Unlike the prairies, the Boreal Forest is dominated by vast stretches of dense coniferous and mixed forests interspersed with wetlands. This landscape includes bogs, fens (peaty swamps), marshes, and open-water basins, which provide breeding habitats for ducks and ensure consistent water availability even in dry years.

“While the wetland density is much lower than in the PPR, the Boreal’s stable water resources provide consistent breeding habitats for ducks,” said Dr. Frank Rohwer, president and chief scientist of Delta Waterfowl.

“Most likely, you would rarely have more than 10 wetlands per square mile in the Boreal Forest. So, duck densities (the measure of the number of ducks in a certain area) are very, very low. It used to be believed that these wetlands were simply not productive. But more recent work says that they are productive—you just don’t have high densities of them.”

The presence of fish, such as northern pike, also reduces duckling survival rates in the Boreal, creating a combination that negatively impacts overall production. But the Boreal Forest remains an essential area for waterfowl production due to its stability and vast expanse.

“Unlike the prairies, where wetland density can fluctuate dramatically with seasonal rains, the Boreal offers a consistent water source throughout the year,” Rohwer explained.

This reliability makes it a haven for waterfowl species seeking dependable nesting and breeding grounds. And, because of the vast expanse of this landscape, even a low density of nesting waterfowl can result in significant duck production.

“Green-winged teal populations are a great example,” said Rohwer. “They nest in the Boreal Forest in low density, but the Boreal is so vast that even when they only nest at four pairs per square mile, they’re going to produce a lot of ducks!”

The PPR: America’s Duck Factory

Delta’s Duck Production efforts are focused in the prairie pothole region of the northern U.S. prairie states and the south-central Canadian provinces, the region also recognized as “North America’s Duck Factory.”

“The PPR is hugely important to ducks,” said Rohwer. “It attracts millions of breeding ducks each spring, and we know that duck populations are driven by what happens on the prairie breeding grounds, whether ducks successfully hatch a nest or not, making it a critical area of focus for Delta’s Duck Production programs.”

This unique landscape features an abundance of wetlands, seasonal waters that appear each spring, and nutrient-rich soils—all working to create a mecca for waterfowl production. Although the PPR comprises only 1.1% of North America’s landmass, in wet years, it has been known to produce up to 70% of the ducks in the hunter harvest.

The climate of the area experiences seasonal extremes, transitioning between periods of abundant rainfall and prolonged drought. These dramatic variations have a profound impact on the wetlands that define the region.

In wet years, fueled by snowmelt from late winter blizzards and spring rains, the landscape is transformed into an aquatic paradise, with temporary and ephemeral wetlands bursting to life. These wetlands, rich in invertebrates and nutrients, provide critical breeding grounds for waterfowl, making such years pivotal for population growth.

Conversely, during dry years, many smaller wetlands disappear, reducing the availability of essential habitats for nesting and brood-rearing. Ducks are forced to adapt to these lean periods, often concentrating in larger, permanent wetlands, which increases competition for limited resources. Many ducks also overfly the prairies and settle in less productive habitat farther north.

This cyclical nature means that the PPR’s capacity to support waterfowl fluctuates, with wet years often leading to a boom in duck populations and dry years requiring greater resilience and adaptability. But, in the face of these challenges, the PPR remains the most productive waterfowl habitat on the continent.

“When the prairies are wet, the PPR’s capacity to produce ducks is unparalleled,” said Rohwer. “These small wetlands, in both the parkland and prairie habitats, act as treasure chests of nutrients, ensuring hens have everything they need to raise their broods successfully.”

PPR Parklands: The Transition Zone

Major nesting species: mallards, canvasbacks, redheads, buffleheads

South of the Boreal Forest lies the Aspen Parkland, a unique ecosystem that bridges the dense forests of the Boreal to the north and the naturally treeless prairies to the south. Despite its challenges, the parkland’s blend of wetlands and grasslands makes it an indispensable area for breeding ducks.

“The rolling terrain of parklands habitat is dotted with numerous small wetlands, which vary in permanence and productivity,” said Rohwer.

These wetlands attract a wide range of waterfowl species, including mallards, canvasbacks, redheads, and buffleheads, but their productivity is limited by the high density of predators.

“The parkland is an odd habitat because it has the potential to have great duck productivity, but it’s also shown to have a persistently high predator population, particularly once humans helped introduce raccoons upon settlement,” explained Rohwer. “The landscape has high numbers of red foxes, skunks, mink, and badgers, so we almost always see very low rates of nest success.”

Nest success—the percentage of duck nests that successfully hatch eggs—is the key driver of continental duck production. Most biologists agree that nest success of 15% to 20% is necessary just to maintain the existing waterfowl population. However, Rohwer said it’s rare to see success rates above 5% for dabbling ducks nesting in unmanaged parkland habitat near Delta’s Minnedosa, Manitoba, research station.

But overwater-nesting ducks—primarily diving ducks like redheads and canvasbacks—in the same area consistently produce nest success rates of roughly 20%. Perhaps their nesting style provides better protection from egg-hungry predators.

“Though rich in resources, the parklands generally have a ‘duck deficit,’” Rohwer said. “If you look at the number of wetlands, the parklands should be producing more ducks. And they don’t have more ducks, I think, because of the incredibly high predation rates.”

To address these challenges, Delta Waterfowl delivers the organization’s Duck Production programs, such as Hen Houses and Predator Management, to increase the productivity of the wetlands. (see sidebar)

“Hen Houses have proven to be game changers in the parklands,” said Rohwer. “They provide a safe space for mallards and significantly increase nest success rates. Mallards are generally an upland-nesting duck, but they take readily to the Hen Houses because they are an incredibly adaptable species.”

 

PPR Prairies: Superior Small Wetlands

Major nesting species: mallards, gadwalls, blue-winged teal, shovelers, pintails, redheads

Arguably the prairie pothole region’s defining feature is its intricate network of wetlands dispersed throughout its prairie habitats.

“These potholes were created in the last ice age, when vast glaciers moved through the prairies, leaving indentations throughout the landscape,” said Rohwer. “This specific glaciated area spans from Iowa through southwestern Minnesota, much of North and South Dakota, and extends into Montana and southern Saskatchewan.”

In good years, those indentations fill with snowmelt, runoff, and timely rains. These are transformed into pots of liquid gold for breeding waterfowl.

“Wetlands in the region can range in size from a tenth of an acre to hundreds and hundreds of acres,” Rohwer said. “One of the early surprises many years ago in breeding grounds research is that we found out that small wetlands are way better at making ducks per acre than large wetlands. They have a much higher density of ducks. For example, in some great areas of prairie habitat, a single square mile can contain 150 wetland basins. That is incredible.”

Such an expanse of small wetlands means that the area has a larger carrying capacity for breeding ducks. This bounty of seasonal and temporary wetlands is unique to the region.

“These potholes vary in size and type from small, ephemeral ponds that hold water only briefly in the spring to larger, semi-permanent basins,” Rohwer said. “Each wetland type plays a critical role in waterfowl breeding and survival. Temporary wetlands are the first to warm up in the spring, creating nutrient-rich environments teeming with invertebrates, which are vital for hens preparing to lay eggs. As the season progresses, ducks rely on more permanent wetlands for brood-rearing.”

These variations are essential to strong waterfowl populations.

“We know that what happens on the prairies in the spring determines what duck production looks like that year,” said Rohwer. “Ten small wetlands will produce 10 times as many ducks as one large wetland of the same acreage, and that is what truly sets the prairies apart. This landscape, especially in a wet year, has an incredible opportunity to produce a lot of ducks.” 

The Arctic: A Unique Breeding Ground

Major nesting species: snow geese, brant, emperor geese, eiders, mallards, pintails, wigeon

The Arctic, particularly its expansive river deltas, stands out as an important breeding habitat for many waterfowl species. Key areas like the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta in Alaska and the Mackenzie River Delta in northwestern Canada are especially valuable due to their highly productive ecosystems. These deltas form where rivers flatten out and deposit nutrient-rich sediments, creating fertile grounds for vegetation and abundant food sources.

“While smaller in size compared to the PPR, the Arctic’s delta habitats boast impressive waterfowl densities and are significant contributors to the overall population of migratory birds,” said Rohwer. “The YK Delta, for instance, supports millions of nesting waterfowl and shorebirds annually, making it one of the most important habitats in North America.”

What makes these deltas particularly vital is their productivity and concentrations of breeding ducks and geese.

“The silt in these deltas is not to the same extent as what would come out of the Mississippi or Ohio rivers,” explained Rohwer. “But there is enough of it to make a really neat area where waterfowl like to nest. It also creates a nutrient-rich environment that fosters an abundance of aquatic plants and invertebrates to support them.”

Species such as the northern pintail, which depends strongly on this region for a successful breeding effort, are particularly drawn to the Arctic deltas. Dabbling ducks and, most importantly, geese, also thrive here due to the availability of both nesting sites and high-protein diets essential for their young.

“Although smaller in total area, the Arctic habitats rival the PPR in terms of their contribution to waterfowl populations,” said Rohwer. “The density of ducks in the area is pretty incredible.

The Future of Waterfowl Conservation

All of North America’s critical breeding waterfowl habitats—the Arctic, the Boreal Forest, and the parkland and prairie habitats of the PPR—play an indispensable role in North American duck production. These ecosystems, while varying in their landscapes, climates, and challenges, collectively form the foundation for sustaining and growing the waterfowl populations we all know and love.

So, next time you’re “just resting your eyes” while reclined on the couch, maybe, just maybe, you’ll cue up a green prairie landscape littered with ample glittering potholes, silty Arctic deltas, fresh aspens budding new leaves above a mallard brood, or the vast, untouched expanses of the Boreal’s conifers and peatlands. In fact, feel free to let those set the stage for all your duck-filled dreams.

After all, they are what make such dreams possible.

Christy Sweigart is a staff writer for The Duck Hunters Organization