For this assignment, I have selected Mallard ducks as an example of NYC urban wildlife.
In my initial research of this animal, I found out that Mallards feed on “seeds, rootlets and tubers of aquatic plants off swamp and river bottoms.” They are the most common duck in the United States, and are the most common type of duck between the Appalachian and Rocky mountains. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other grassland restoration efforts in the northern Prairies of the United States have greatly helped and influenced their population growth. This species is particularly well adjusted for cooler and wetter landscapes, and is so adaptable to the point of it can be considered an invasive species in some areas around the world.
Male mallards are called drakes and are easily characterized by their bright green head and brown feathers. The females or hens, have brown and cream colored feathers with and orange or brown bill. They both have violet metallic patches on their wings which are bordered with white. These patches are known as “speculums.”
http://www.ducks.org/hunting/waterfowl-id/mallard
https://www.audubon.org/news/mallards-are-everywhere-and-thats-great-wetlands
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/wildlifenyc/animals/mallards.page
- Is the species native to its current ecosystem? If not, where is/was it native to?
The mallard duck is such a widespread and prosperous species in the United States, but is present also in Eurasia and North Africa. The ducks have been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.
- How has it adapted to existing within NYC?
Urban mallards stay in the city all year. This is due to the fact that there is an abundance of food sources in New York City, as well there being relatively warmer winters compared to areas further away. Since these birds are very adaptable species, it isn’t uncommon for these birds to be seen living throughout many parks and ponds across New York. An example of where these ducks would likely be found would be Central Park or Prospect Park, which both have large lakes.
- How is it expected –or how do you expect it – to be affected by changes to this ecosystem in the future? (What are those changes?) Provide explanations.
As the climate gets colder and wetter in NY, I expect that the ducks will most likely increase due to the fact that they thrive in this type of weather. However, it would most likely cause an overpopulation, or a mass migration in the winter months, due to the freezing temperatures. Mallards are not too keen on freezing temperatures, just cool, rainy climates.
Throughout the course of the semester, I observe the species and documented everything I saw.
I decided to monitor the duck’s activity at a park near my home in Brooklyn. In the first few months, New York was in the middle of one of its coldest winters yet, and thus there were no ducks in the lake or by the shore. The lake was frozen for a while, and only at the end of March did the habitat seem to thaw out. The first time I saw any sign of the ducks was on an especially rainy day around the end of March. The mallards on the lake seemed to be all females, and they were just slowly swimming out on the surface of the lake. It had been the warmest day of that week, but it was a chilly 42 degrees that afternoon. I couldn’t get too close because of the fencing that prevented passersbys from falling into the lake, but they were especially loud and I definitely could hear them.
During the months where winter slowly transitioned to spring, I saw ducks (geese as well) come out as I went back every other Friday. Their behavior seemed to be the same, the only significant difference would be the instance at the beginning of May, where I saw a drake and only one female, who were both by the shore of the lake by themselves. The drake was swimming by the female, who seemed to be sitting by a pile of branches. I couldn’t get too close, but I assume it was the beginning of a nest of some sort. A week later on May 8th, the other females were on the lake, but rather kept to the other end, where there was shade provided by the trees. This day in particular was quite warm and dry, which aren’t the preferred condition for ducks, but they were active regardless. They continually dipped beneath the surface, either find food or just refresh themselves, of which I am uncertain.
For the most part the ducks stayed to themselves, but if any motion was made to get near them was made, they either stayed away from to people or ignored them. A little girl wanted to feed the ducks, but wasn’t able to because of the sign near the fence that said that feeding the ducks had negative effects on them.
I might add that this park had a number of other waterfowl in the area as well, and I took several pictures of them as well, seeing as how they were less shy and came closer to my photographic vantage point.
