Variation in Food Composition of Common Teal (Anas crecca) in Different Wetlands of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the food preference in common teal collected from six different locations throughout Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 40 guts samples (20 male, 20 female) were collected from the slaughtered duck. The overall total weight of gut (43.46 3.180), total weight of gizzard (16.34 1.109), and Gizzard weight without food material (13.84 1.062), which were highly significant (P<0.01) in males and females. The overall weight of food material (3.10 0.176), weight of seeds (1.37 0.098), weight of vegetation (1.50 0.087), and weight of other material (0.41 0.047), was non-significant (P>0.05) in males and females. A total of 11 species of plants from seven families were identified from the gut analysis. The overall prevalence of plants occurring in gut content was Oryza sativa (62.5%), Hydrilla verticillata (60.0%), Nymphaeaceae nouchali (52.5%), Vallisneria spiralis (45%), Ceratophyllum demersum (42.5%), Echinochloa stagnina (37.5%), Schoenoplectus litoralis (35%), Najas graminea (32.5%), Polygonum  barbatum (27.5%), Nymphoides cristata (22.5%) and Arundo donax (20%). The current study will be helpful for conservation, improvement of habitat, and future planning for migratory birds.