The Common Goldeneye Duck and the Role of Nesting Boxes in its Management in North-Central Minnesota

Evaluation of use of nesting boxes of two kinds by the common goldeneye duck (Bucephala clangula americana) in a wooded area of north-central Minnesota, where these ducks are fairly abundant, shows 69 to 80 percent of the usable boxes were eventually used. Wooden boxes were better accepted than metal boxes, but the latter provided greater protection from predators. Calculations from band recoveries indicate a hunting bag of about 36 percent for birds during their first year. This is a high rate of harvest, especially since goldeneyes do not breed until their second year. After the first year, however, mortality is low, probably because adults frequent large open water lakes which provide some protection from hunting. Considerable homing by adult hens to previously-used nesting boxes was noted