• Capen, David E.
  University of Maine Graduate School
  

Procedures were developed for moving newly hatched broods of wild wood ducks (Aix sponsa) to shock to stock suitable habitats. Two attempts to move females with their clutches failed. Hens with newly hatched broods were moved successfully; in 13 of 18 cases the females apparently reared their ducklings on the new areas. Wing-clipping the hens seemed to improve the chances that they would remain with the brood after being moved.

Survival of the released ducklings during the first 4-5 weeks was greater than 41 percent, as evidenced by observations, retraps, and recoveries. Stocking marshes with wild-reared broods may be more efficient than attempting to establish breeding populations with hand-reared stock.