The success of duck hunters throughout much of North America each fall depends to a large degree upon the spring productivity of the breeding waterfowl in the northern prairie states and the central provinces of Canada. In southern Manitoba, in the Waterfowl Research Station, a privately endowed outdoor laboratory owned by the North American Wildlife Foundation and operated by the Wildlife Management Institute. Its principal purpose is to determine facts useful in the management and perpetuation of this international migratory resource. When Dr. Lyle K. Sowls began his studies at Delta in 1946, many wide gaps remained in the knowledge of the relationship of breeding ducks to their home range. There were many scattered observations and a growing mass of data accumulated through the study of banding returned; but the activities of individual ducks during the critical spring months and the activities and the fate of broods each summer remained largely a mystery. Sowls, working toward his doctorate in wildlife management as a graduate student of the University of Wisconsin, studied the waterfowl at Delta for five years in an attempt to plug some of those gaps through intensive study of the waterfowl on one limited are. His studies developed new techniques and brought out new facts that were startling even to waterfowl biologists, facts of prime importance to the duck hunter or to any one interest in the future of America’s waterfowl flights. As a result of Dr. Sowls’ research, new light has been shed on such factors as predation, renesting, and homing habits of the important species of game ducks, and already have become the basis for revised hunting regulations and give a new understanding of waterfowl problems.

The success of duck hunters throughout much of North America each fall depends to a large degree upon the spring productivity of the breeding waterfowl in the northern prairie states and the central provinces of Canada. In southern Manitoba, in the Waterfowl Research Station, a privately endowed outdoor laboratory owned by the North American Wildlife Foundation and operated by the Wildlife Management Institute. Its principal purpose is to determine facts useful in the management and perpetuation of this international migratory resource. When Dr. Lyle K. Sowls began his studies at Delta in 1946, many wide gaps remained in the knowledge of the relationship of breeding ducks to their home range. There were many scattered observations and a growing mass of data accumulated through the study of banding returned; but the activities of individual ducks during the critical spring months and the activities and the fate of broods each summer remained largely a mystery. Sowls, working toward his doctorate in wildlife management as a graduate student of the University of Wisconsin, studied the waterfowl at Delta for five years in an attempt to plug some of those gaps through intensive study of the waterfowl on one limited are. His studies developed new techniques and brought out new facts that were startling even to waterfowl biologists, facts of prime importance to the duck hunter or to any one interest in the future of America's waterfowl flights. As a result of Dr. Sowls' research, new light has been shed on such factors as predation, renesting, and homing habits of the important species of game ducks, and already have become the basis for revised hunting regulations and give a new understanding of waterfowl problems.

The best-selling and authoritative reference book on waterfowl has been fully revised and updated by one of the world’s most respected waterfowl biologists. Honorable Mention for the PROSE Award for Excellence, Multivolume/Science of the Association of American Publishers Ducks, Geese, and Swans of North America has been hailed as a classic since the first edition was published in 1942. A must-have for professional biologists, birders, waterfowl hunters, decoy collectors, and wildlife managers, this fully revised and updated edition provides definitive information on the continent's forty-six species. Maps of both winter and breeding ranges are presented with stunning images by top waterfowl photographers and the acclaimed original artwork of Robert W. (Bob) Hines. Originally authored by F. H. Kortright and later revised by Frank Bellrose, this latest edition, which has been meticulously updated by renowned waterfowl biologist Guy Baldassarre, continues the legacy of esteemed authors. Each species account contains in-depth sections on: • identification • distribution • migration behavior • habitat • population status • breeding biology • rearing of young • recruitment and survival • food habits and feeding ecology • molts and plumages • conservation and management To facilitate identification, the species accounts also include detailed illustrations of wings. An appendix contains comparative illustrations of ducklings, goslings, and cygnets. This edition of Ducks, Geese, and Swans consists of two volumes, printed in full color, and packaged in a slipcase, along with a CD containing references and additional maps.

This seminal study first revealed the true mechanics and anatomical complexities of duck flight. Over 270 detailed black-and-white photographs and 135 line drawings explore every phase of takeoffs and landings, hovering, pitching and turning, much more. Many stopped-action sequences, plus a concise text covering bird anatomy, plumage, migratory patterns, mechanics of flight, photographing ducks, much more.