Abstract
Wintering behavior of mallards Anas platyrhynchos was studied from November 1995 to February 1996 at wintering habitats : Seosan reclaimed site, Oksan reservoir, and Kum river in Korea. The population of wintering mallards in maximum count was about 35, 000 at Sosan, 500 at Oksan and 1, 680 at Kum river, respectively. In Seosan area, mallards spent more time on water surface. In Kum river and Oksan reservoir, however, they spent more time in riversides. During the daylight hours, mallards spent more time in riversides and ground as the time passes by in the area. Behavioral patterns varied with habitat type, by days and months. Resting was a major time expenditure of mallards on water surface and riversides, and feeding occured occasionally on the ground. During the daytime, feeding and resting activities increased as time passed toward dusks However, time spendings for locmotion and comfort were decreased when it is close to the sun sets. Major disturbance factors within the habitats were identified the local traffics of humans, boats, aircrafts and motor vehicles. Among them, human was the most frequently affecting disturbance factor to the wintering mallards.
