Time-activity budgets of wintering Ferruginous Duck, Aythya nyroca , at Gajoldoba wetland, Jalpaiguri, India

Abstract

Results indicate resting as the main diurnal activity of Aythya nyroca , whereas feeding dominated during the night. Otherthan resting (56.3%), feeding (16.8%) and swimming (15.2%) were major activities of the diurnal time-activity budget, whereas preening(9.4%) and fying (2.3%) were less frequent and occupied a secondary rank. Feeding and swimming were prevalent during the morningand afernoon hours. During midday, most of the ducks indulged in resting. Te small amount of time spent on diurnal feeding wascompensated by voracious nocturnal feeding (64.6%), which peaked in the middle of the night. Human interference plays an importantrole in shaping the diurnal time-activity budget. Ferruginous Ducks used the Gajoldoba wetland for foraging and roosting both dayand night all through the wintering cycle, which proves that the Gajoldoba wetland is a stable wintering ground for Ferruginous Ducks.