Delta furthers the research that keeps waterfowl populations strong 

Delta Waterfowl believes that waterfowl management decisions should always be based on sound science. Using the latest technology, researchers answer tough questions about duck production and wetland conservation today and in the future. 

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Raccoon Satellite Telemetry

Studying movements and habitat use of raccoons to improve effectiveness of Predator Management

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Drone Brood Surveys

Development of an operational survey to measure complete duck production

delta has trained more than 600 master's and doctoral students, including some of today's foremost waterfowl biologists
canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Identification of Redhead and Canvasback Eggs

Using genetics to improve visual identification

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Hot Spot Trapping to Improve Dabbler Production

Evaluating dabbler nest success with a new trapping techniques

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Graduate Student Retention Survey

Gaining an understanding of
limitations for trained waterfowl graduate students to stay in the profession

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Lower Mississippi Flyway Dabbler Tracking

Determining duck locations during hunting seasons and migration

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Predator Trapping in Wetlands

Extending trapping efforts into the wetlands to focus on over-water nesting ducks

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Strategic Placement of Hen Houses

Using a suite of collected data to optimize Hen House placement and predict usage rates

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

California Hen Houses

Testing the success of Hen Houses in the Intermountain West

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Accuracy of Mid-winter Hen House Checks

How representative are the midwinter Hen House checks to determine prior use?

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Duck Harvest and Survival

How does hunting harvest impact duck populations?

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Spatiotemporal Variation in Duck Demographic Rates 

How environmental change influences duck population dynamics 

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Canvasback/Redhead
Integrated Population Models

Determining needs for the management of key diver species

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Analyzing Canvasback
Production in Relation to Predators, Parasitism, and Local Landscapes

wood duck

Mercury Loading in Nevada Wood Ducks

Demographics of a wood duck population in a mercury super fund site

skunk and eggs

Using Saliva to Identify Nest Predators

Can we use residual saliva on depredated eggs to determine the nest predator?

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Mallards and Black Ducks on Long Island

Habitat Use of American Black Ducks and Mallards on Eastern Long Island: Assessing the Utility of Corn Fields to Wintering Waterfowl

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Evaluating Three Styles of Radio Attachments

An assessment of radio attachment methods to understand transmitter impacts on mallards

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Identification of Game Farm Mallards

Determining the implications of game-farm mallard release for eastern U.S. mallard populations using morphology and feather patterns

canvasback duck hen and ducklings highlighting the success of Delta's duck production and predator management programs

Saskatchewan Nest and Brood Success

Development of a rapid duckling production tool for upland-nesting ducks in Saskatchewan

Research Leaders

delta waterfowl's research and education program has resulted in more than 950 peer-reviewed studies

Over 600 master’s and doctoral students

More than 600 papers published

Throughout the organization’s storied history, Delta Waterfowl has amassed an impressive body of research that includes supporting more than 600 master’s and doctoral students and publishing over 950 peer-reviewed studies. Delta’s research has profoundly influenced how waterfowl, wetlands and annual harvest are managed. It has also provided biologists, technicians and young scientists with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and guidance to become leaders in waterfowl and wetland conservation. We are extremely proud that many of Delta’s former students are working for government and non-government agencies, as well as universities. Delta Waterfowl’s important waterfowl and wetland research is made possible by you — our generous donors, members and volunteers. We deeply appreciate your support.

Download Research and Education 2023 Status Update

Why is Delta studying ringneck ducks?