Laysan Duck Update

June 10, 2005

Endangered Laysan ducks moved from the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (Laysan Island) to Midway Atoll NWR have done amazingly well in their first year at their new home. In fact, they have done so well they are reproducing. Currently, four, 16-day old ducklings are on the atoll. Five of the six female ducks on Midway have nested and laid eggs. Unfortunately, the first female to nest failed to incubate her eggs properly. Only one duckling hatched and subsequently died 4 days later.

On a more positive note, that female is now renesting. The ducks on Midway have also produced surprisingly large clutch sizes (ranging from 5 to 10 eggs) compared to those found on Laysan (mean clutch size 3.8 eggs). Scientists believe the larger clutch size may be attributed to the abundant food sources on Midway.

Only time will tell with the remaining four nests whether the eggs are fertile or not, and if the young female ducks have the necessary experience to successfully raise more ducklings.

Scientists from the Service and USGS hope to translocate another 32 ducks to Midway in October 2005.