Distribution, abundance, population structure and productivity of tundra swans in Bristol Bay, Alaska
Wilk RJ. 1988. Distribution, abundance, population structure and productivity of tundra swans in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Arctic. 41(4):288-292
(Author's abstract.) Data on tundra swans were obtained on the northern Alaska Peninsula from 1983 to 1987. Phenology was advanced two to four weeks of swan nesting areas in the Subarctic and Arctic, but a late spring retarded nesting by at least 10 days. The highest densities of potential breeders (0.3-0.9 swans km2) occurred along the lowland coast and in broad drainage basins. Estimates of the breeding population ranged from 4,000 to 4,600 swans. Brood sizes in August ranged from 2.710.3(SE) to 3.310.5 young. In summer, 51-66% of the adults and subadults were observed as potential breeders, and the remainder were in nonbreeding flocks. Between 31 and 40% of the observed pairs had nests or young. The population and production on the Alaska Peninsula may be less affected by weather than populations at higher latitudes.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Wilk, Randall
- Units
- KATM
- Keywords
- Aerial Surveys, Alaska Peninsula, Birds, Cygnus columbianus, Distribution, Habitat, Katmai National Park And Preserve, Migration, Population, Productivity, Tundra Swans