Body condition and molt chronology of waterfowl in east central Texas

Waterfowl undergo changes in body condition during migratory and wintering periods that can affect survival reproduction. Understanding how varies among age sex cohorts temporally inform habitat management the post- pre-breeding period. We examined composition molt of three waterfowl species migrating managed moist-soil units east central Texas determined influence season, age, using Analysis Variance. sex, season effects on indices (body mass divided by wing chord) mixed-effects models score linear regression. For specimens collected from 2004–2007, we found differences groups for Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discor), a migrant through this study area, Green-winged (Anas crecca), Northern Shoveler clypeata), which are species. mid-winter decline Teal. were worse spring than fall, could be due to energy accumulation prior departure grounds fall post-arrival spring. did not find an effect Shoveler. all species, adults better juveniles. Molt was greatest late-winter combined (x̄ = 11.60, SE 2.45). any Wintering appear good show molt-induced stress periods. Changes across seasons indicate there should consideration timing quality regional approaches waterfowl.