Table III. - Species Composition of Breeding Population - Aerial. 

1954 1955 
~ Pairs Per Percentof | "Pairs Per Percentof 
Species Square Mile Total Population Square Mile Total Population 
Mallard Tel 35.8 7.1 34.3 
Pintail 59 27.8 et 27.6 
B-w. Teal | Ls 3 6.4 1.6 ¥ ee | 
G-w. Teal 0.6 2.3 0.4 1.9 
Gadwall 0.4 1.9 0.5 2.2 
Baldpate 1.3 6.5 1.3 6.3 
Shoveler 1,3 6.5 L.3 6.2 
Redhead 0.3 Dinh 0.4 Z.1 
Canvasback 0.4 Z2.0 0.3 1.6 
Scaup 1.5 7.4 1.8 8.8 
Ruddy 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.6 
Bufflehead and ; 
Goldeneye 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.6 
Cinn. Teal Trace Trace 0.0 0.0 
Ringneck O20: 0.0 Trace Trace 
Total 19.87 | 100.0 20.3 100.0 
Considering the province as a whole, the mallard population showed 
no change though it is still definitely the most prevalent species. Pintails, though 
they declined in numbers about 12 percent on the prairies, made an over-all gain 
of three percent when all strata are considered, to occupy the second position in 
species composition. Not since 195] and 1952 has this species been in first place 
as far as total population indices are concerned. The scaup, third most prevalent 
species in Alberta, followed by the blue-winged teal, each show population increases 
of about 25 percent. Species with measureable losses are represented by species 
with lower total numbers. Basically, however, no serious change appears to have 
taken place among any of the species, even among those which declined. 
Success of the Season 
The"1955 waterfowl production in Alberta surpassed that of any year 
since our aerial surveys began. Several factors were responsible. The breeding 
population was approximately the same as in 1954, A normal season with pintails 
and mallards beginning to nest in late April and sufficient early spring rains to 
cut agricultural disturbance to a minimum increased the quality of the first hatch. 
It is true that nest losses were high in the parklands because of excessive preda- 
tion, but this was overcome to some extent by a strong and early renesting effort. 
29 
