Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method

ABSTRACT We report on the use and efficiency of an active mist‐net method for capturing 3 subspecies of torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), a territorial and specialized South American waterfowl, in fast‐moving rivers of the Andes Mountains. As an active process, the execution of this methodology req...

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Main Authors: Luis Alza, Emil Bautista, Matthew Smith, Natalia Gutierrez‐Pinto, Andrea Astie, Kevin G. Mccracken
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-06-01
Series:Wildlife Society Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.757
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author Luis Alza
Emil Bautista
Matthew Smith
Natalia Gutierrez‐Pinto
Andrea Astie
Kevin G. Mccracken
author_facet Luis Alza
Emil Bautista
Matthew Smith
Natalia Gutierrez‐Pinto
Andrea Astie
Kevin G. Mccracken
author_sort Luis Alza
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT We report on the use and efficiency of an active mist‐net method for capturing 3 subspecies of torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), a territorial and specialized South American waterfowl, in fast‐moving rivers of the Andes Mountains. As an active process, the execution of this methodology required the presence of a well‐trained, 3‐person team. During the austral winter and spring between 2010 and 2014, we captured 372 torrent ducks in 410 capture events on 8 different rivers in Colombia (n = 1), Peru (n = 5), and Argentina (n = 2). Each captured torrent duck was banded and 38 opportunistic recaptures events were obtained using the same methodology in the same territories. We deployed the mist nets across fast‐moving deep rivers, along elevational gradients (680–4,200 m). Males were more easily captured than females, because of their greater tendency to fly. Our data validated this capture method for torrent ducks, as we succeeded in capturing individuals of the 3 subspecies in different habitats at different elevations and latitudes. To avoid animal mortality, we recommend application of this method only when 3 minimal conditions are met: 1) each field crew has ≥3 people; 2) all of the crew members have hand‐radios to enable continuous communication; and 3) each crew member has received prior training (e.g., installation, inspection, manipulation, and removal of the mist net, bird extraction, and familiarity with the behavior of the torrent ducks). © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
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spelling doaj-art-4c6c94bf0c7249529bdc20a337d77d6b2024-12-16T13:20:50ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402017-06-0141237037510.1002/wsb.757Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net methodLuis Alza0Emil Bautista1Matthew Smith2Natalia Gutierrez‐Pinto3Andrea Astie4Kevin G. Mccracken5Department of BiologyUniversity of MiamiCoral GablesFL33146USADepartment of OrnithologyCentro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad—CORBIDILima33PeruInstitute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology and WildlifeUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks211 Irving IFairbanksAK99775USADepartment of BiologyUniversity of MiamiCoral GablesFL33146USAInstituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (CCT Mendoza‐CONICET)Av. Ruiz Leal s/n Parque General San MartínMendozaArgentinaDepartment of Biology and Marine Biology and EcologyRosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of MiamiCoral GablesFL33146USAABSTRACT We report on the use and efficiency of an active mist‐net method for capturing 3 subspecies of torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), a territorial and specialized South American waterfowl, in fast‐moving rivers of the Andes Mountains. As an active process, the execution of this methodology required the presence of a well‐trained, 3‐person team. During the austral winter and spring between 2010 and 2014, we captured 372 torrent ducks in 410 capture events on 8 different rivers in Colombia (n = 1), Peru (n = 5), and Argentina (n = 2). Each captured torrent duck was banded and 38 opportunistic recaptures events were obtained using the same methodology in the same territories. We deployed the mist nets across fast‐moving deep rivers, along elevational gradients (680–4,200 m). Males were more easily captured than females, because of their greater tendency to fly. Our data validated this capture method for torrent ducks, as we succeeded in capturing individuals of the 3 subspecies in different habitats at different elevations and latitudes. To avoid animal mortality, we recommend application of this method only when 3 minimal conditions are met: 1) each field crew has ≥3 people; 2) all of the crew members have hand‐radios to enable continuous communication; and 3) each crew member has received prior training (e.g., installation, inspection, manipulation, and removal of the mist net, bird extraction, and familiarity with the behavior of the torrent ducks). © 2017 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.757Andescapturediving duckMerganetta armatamist netrivers
spellingShingle Luis Alza
Emil Bautista
Matthew Smith
Natalia Gutierrez‐Pinto
Andrea Astie
Kevin G. Mccracken
Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
Wildlife Society Bulletin
Andes
capture
diving duck
Merganetta armata
mist net
rivers
title Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
title_full Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
title_fullStr Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
title_full_unstemmed Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
title_short Capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist‐net method
title_sort capture efficiency of torrent ducks by the active mist net method
topic Andes
capture
diving duck
Merganetta armata
mist net
rivers
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.757
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