Seasonal abundance of waterfowl for hunting in the southern portion of the Malaga wetland, Durango, Mexico

Objective: Estimate the composition and winter abundance of waterfowl of hunting interest in a Management Unit for the Conservation of Wildlife (MUCW), within the Malaga wetland complex, Durango, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: In the winter of 2019, we identified and quantified the waterfowl of hunting interest in an MUCW of the Malaga wetland complex, Durango, Mexico. We performed the counts with fixed points in five repetitions to estimate the specific richness and abundance of birds. We compared these variables using the Kruskal-Willi’s test (P<0.05). Results: We registered 21,620 waterfowl of 18 species. The most frequent families were the Anatidae, Rallidae and Gruidae. The species Anser albifrons, A. caerulescens and Anas crecca were the most abundant. This abundance increased according to the number of recordings, being the last one, where the highest proportion of waterfowl was produced (P<0.05). Study limitations/implications: This study provides baseline demographic information for this group of birds that inhabit the wetlands of Durango. However, to determine the demographic dynamics of these species, it is necessary to carry out long-term monitoring. Findings/conclusions: This research allows us to recognize the study site as diverse and important for hunting waterfowl that winter in Durango, Mexico.Objective: To estimate the composition and winter abundance of waterfowl for hunting in a Wildlife Conservation Management Unit (UMA), within the Malaga wetlands complex, Durango, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the winter of 2019, waterfowl for hunting were identified and quantified in an UMA of the Malaga wetlands complex, Durango, Mexico. The birds were counted with the point count methodology in five repetitions, in order to estimate their specific richness and abundance in each one. These variables were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 21,620 birds from 18 species were registered. The most frequent families were the Anatidae, Rallidae, and Gruidae. Anser albifrons, A. caerulescens, and Anas crecca were the most abundant species. This abundance increased according to the number of tests. Therefore, the highest proportion of birds was recorded in the last sampling (p < 0.05). Study Limitations/Implications: This study provides baseline demographic information for this group of birds that inhabits the Durango wetlands. However, long-term monitoring is necessary to determine the demographic dynamics of these species. Findings/Conclusions: The study site is diverse and important for the waterfowl for hunting that spend the winter in Durango, Mexic