Waterfowl numbers remained steady despite drought

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) says that the US Fish and Wildlife Service 2025 Waterfowl Population Status Report, released in mid-September, showed that North America’s duck populations remain steady compared to last year, even as drought continues to limit breeding habitat across the Prairies.

The report estimates there were approximately 34 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, essentially unchanged from 2024.

This remained slightly below the long-term average, but DUC notes this stability demonstrates the resilience of waterfowl when diverse wetland and grassland habitats are available.

Drought cycles in Prairie ecology

“Drought cycles are part of Prairie ecology, but today’s ducks face added pressure from wetland and grassland loss,” says DUC Research Scientist Matt Dyson. “The 2025 report is clear: where habitat remains, ducks respond. Conservation is the difference-maker. By working with partners, farmers and communities to conserve and restore wetlands, our habitat work gives waterfowl the refuge they need in dry years and the springboard they need when water returns.”

There was better news in the east and west. Eastern Canada and the Great Lakes region, critical for waterfowl production for the Atlantic Flyway, had good to excellent habitat conditions. Waterfowl populations were also stable in BC this year.

Hardy mallards

Mallards showed signs of decline year over year, likely a result of persistent dry conditions, but are still holding at the long-term average. Conversely, redheads and canvasbacks showed significant gains. DUC says these differences demonstrate that ducks respond to specific habitat conditions. The loss of shallow wetlands affects species like pintails, mallards, and blue-winged teal while deeper permanent wetlands support divers, like canvasbacks and redheads.

DUC says Canadian landscapes drive waterfowl abundance across all four flyways. “What happens in Canada, on the breeding grounds, influences what hunters and birders see across North America.”

Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2025 issue of Ontario Out of Doors

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