Waterfowl Flyways

For years, many wildlife lovers have thought of the migratory flyways as four giant funnels collecting waterfowl from the northern breeding grounds and delivering them to their southern wintering areas.
Unfortunately, it isn't that simple.

Sophisticated tracking methods reveal a far more complex, interlinking network for migrating waterfowl than we even suspected.

Today, wildlife biologists realize that the migration corridors of one single species such as the pintail or mallard may begin in Alaska or Canada and even in the northern US plain states.

From the northern breeding grounds, the migratory network literally blankets the US and even extends deep into South America.

The largest area of prime duck breeding habitat remains in the prairie pothole country of the upper central plains states and Canada.

A better understanding of the complex migration patterns of waterfowl helps in long-term efforts to restore waterfowl populations.

Future success lies in man ensuring there will be adequate breeding habitat, including sufficient winter resting and feeding grounds.

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