Differences in territory size and hunting methods may be why foxes have a greater impact on nesting ducks. Because coyote territories are much larger than that of the fox, there are fewer mouths to feed for the same area. Differences also exist in the extent to which coyotes and foxes damage a nest. The NBS research study concluded that, in areas occupied by red foxes, only 17 percent of the duck nests survived. Alternatively, for the nest areas falling within territories occupied by coyotes, the rate of success was 32 percent.
Humans are the predominant cause of coyote deaths in the prairie pothole region.
This may be an effective approach to increasing duck nest success in both public and private lands. Since coyotes do prey on livestock and large game species, as well as other species of ground-nesting birds, open dialogue should take place before any action is taken. The National Biological Survey, a new bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, gathers, analyzes, and disseminates biological information necessary for good stewardship of natural resources. The NBS is designed to serve as an information clearinghouse and source of solid scientific information for use by local communities, development interests, wildlife managers, land owners, and private and nonprofit groups.