Tracking Victorian game ducks

A study of the spatial ecology and survivorship of Victorian game ducks.

This research is conducted in accordance with approvals under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Project overview

The GMA, in partnership with researchers from Deakin University, is conducting new research to better understand the movements, survival and behaviour of four of Victoria’s most important game duck species (Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal).

The research involves attaching a small solar-powered satellite tracking device to 400 individual game ducks (100 on each of the species studied).

The tracking devices capture information about the duck’s location, movement, breeding, feeding and resting patterns 24 hours a day.

This project aims to identify the drivers of game duck movement in relation to the fluctuating water availability in the Australian landscape. It will also record how long game ducks survive and provide insights into the primary causes of mortality.

This knowledge will help model game duck population dynamics to inform Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) for sustainable duck hunting in Victoria. It will also provide important information for waterfowl conservation more broadly and disease management.

If you find a tracker or leg band, please contact research@gma.vic.gov.au

This project is funded as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to implementing adaptive harvest management for game ducks in Victoria, to ensure duck hunting remains responsible and sustainable.

Hear from the scientists

Dr Jason Flesch from the GMA and Professor Marcel Klaassen from Deakin University explain the importance of the research.

Trapping the ducks

Ducks are safely trapped and fitted with trackers at numerous sites throughout Victoria.

1 - Setting the traps

Wire cage traps are carefully set up in wetland areas where the ducks frequently visit.

2 - Attract the ducks

Grain (predominantly wheat or corn) is placed inside the cage trap to attract the ducks.

3 - Trap the ducks

The ducks enter the trap to feed and are unable to exit.

4 - Retrieve the ducks

The ducks are removed from the trap and carefully transported to a nearby area where the trackers are fitted.

Fitting the tracking devices

The ducks are fitted with GPS-GSM trackers that inform on their movements over months to years. GPS uses satellite technology whereas GSM uses mobile communications technologies.

The transmitters weigh about 12 grams and are attached to the back of the duck with a harness.

The trackers have a rechargeable battery that is charged through solar power.

The transmitter sends a call via the mobile phone network to deliver daily updates of the ducks’ geographic locations and behaviours (e.g. feeding, resting, flying, walking, breeding).

Solar-powered satellite transmitters are routinely used in wildlife research, including on waterfowl, all around the world.

Latest news

Largest Australian duck tracking research project takes flight

See the ducks' movements

The map below shows a duck from each of the four species that have travelled the furthest since they were fitted with the tracking devices. The graph shows the total distance travelled. These are the extreme movements of individuals and are not necessarily typical of the movements of each species generally.

See the ducks' activity

The graph shows how active each duck species is during the different times of the day.

Survivorship

To develop population models, it is important to know how long ducks live for. Trackers can tell us when a duck has died, and if we can recover the trackers quickly enough, we can determine a cause of death. This is what we have learnt so far.

Benefits beyond hunting

The benefits of this research extend beyond hunting.

This research will provide a greater understanding of the movement of game ducks across Australia and the relationship between habitat and behaviours, which can be used to improve the management of waterbirds and their habitats.

The knowledge gained from this research can also be used for surveillance and management of disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza. By modelling game duck movements, we may be able to predict how the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza currently impacting wild bird populations globally, may spread should it arrive in Australia.