...Rafael Freire; Tessa E. Birch SUMMARY The ability of ducks to derive magnetic direction information was tested in a conditioned procedure and the functional properties of the mechanism of magnetoreception investigated using common manipulations. Twelve ducks were trained to find a hidden imprinting...

...R. M. Bevan; E. Keijer; P. J. Butler ABSTRACT Tufted ducks, Aythya fuligula, were trained to dive for different durations in shallow tanks using a computer-controlled system of lights. The birds were rewarded with food for a correct response, i.e. performing a dive of the required duration. When...

...R. Stephenson; J. R. Lovvorn; M. R. A. Heieis; D. R. Jones; R. W. Blake ABSTRACT Buoyancy and body drag were measured in lesser scaup ( Aythya affinis ) and the data were used to estimate average power output during diving and surface swimming. Buoyant force (mean±s.D.) of fully submerged ducks...

...A. J. Woakes; P. J. Butler ABSTRACT In six tufted ducks there was a linear relationship between heart rate and oxygen consumption when swimming at different velocities. Mean oxygen consumption at mean duration of voluntary dives was 3·5 times resting and not significantly different from...