EP34 - Waterfowl Science with Dr. Osborne

Migratory waterfowl possess an incredible ability to constantly adapt to the changing climate and environmental factors. Add in the fact that lower Mississippi Flyway mallards are receiving an unprecedented amount of hunting pressure, and the patterns of the "good old days" start to change. Dr. Osborne cites the driving factors behind these behavior changes and what their banding data is revealing about the mallard migration to the deep south. We also discuss hybrid ducks, band programs of the past, and how the dry prairies and late harsh winter may negatively effect the fall flight index.