In the traditional survey area, which includes strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77, the total duck population estimate was 45.6 ± 0.8 [SE] million birds. This estimate represents an 11% increase over last year\u27s estimate of 40.9 ± 0.7 million birds and was 35% above the long-term average (1955-2010). Estimated mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 9.2 ± 0.3 million birds, which was 9% above the 2010 estimate of 8.4 ± 0.3 million birds and 22% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of gadwall (A. strepera; 3.3 ± 0.2 million) was similar to the 2010 estimate and 80% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of American wigeon (A. americana; 2.1 ± 0.1 million) was 14% below the 2010 estimate and 20% below the long-term average. The estimated abundance of green-winged teal (A. crecca) was 2.9 ± 0.2 million, which was 17% below the 2010 estimate and 47% above their long-term average. The estimate of blue-winged teal abundance (A. discors) was 8.9 ± 0.4 million, which was 41% above the 2010 estimate and 91% above their long-term average. The estimate for northern pintails (A. acuta; 4.4 ± 0.3 million) was 26% above the 2010 estimate, and similar to the long-term average. The northern shoveler estimate (A. clypeata) was 4.6 ± 0.2 million, which was 14% above the 2010 estimate and 98% above the long-term average. Redhead abundance (Aythya americana; 1.4 ± 0.1 million) was 27% above the 2010 estimate and 106% above the long-term average. The canvasback estimate (A. valisineria; 0.7 ± 0.05 million) was similar to the 2010 estimate and 21% above the long-term average. Estimated abundance of scaup (A. affinis and A. marila combined; 4.3 ± 0.3 million) was similar to that of 2010 and 15% below the long-term average of 5.1 ± 0.05 million. Habitat conditions during the 2011 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey were characterized by average to above-average moisture and a normal winter and spring across the traditional and eastern survey areas. The exception was the west-central portion of the traditional survey area that received below-average moisture. The total pond estimate (Prairie Canada and U.S. combined) was 8.1 ± 0.2 million. This was 22% above the 2010 estimate and 62% above the long-term average (1974-2010) of 5.0 ± 0.03 million ponds. The 2011 estimate of ponds in Prairie Canada was 4.9 ± 0.2 million. This was 31% above last year\u27s estimate (3.7 ± 0.2 million) and 43% above the long-term average (1961-2010; 3.4 ± 0.03 million). The 2011 pond estimate for the north-central U.S. was 3.2 ± 0.1 million, which was similar to last year\u27s estimate (2.9 ± 0.1 million) and 102% above the long-term average (1974-2010; 1.6 ± 0.02 million). The projected mallard fall-flight index is 11.9 ± 1.1 million birds. The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005 and is now composed of strata 51-72. Estimated abundance of mallards in the eastern survey area was 0.4 ± 0.1 million, which was similar to the 2010 estimate and the long-term average (1990-2010). Abundance estimates of green-winged teal, ring-necked duck (A. collaris), goldeneyes (common [Bucephala clangula] and Barrow\u27s [B. islandica]), and mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M. merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus]) were all similar to their 2010 estimates and long-term averages. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) estimate was 0.55 ± 0.04 million, which was similar to the 2010 estimate and 13% below the long-term average of 0.63 million
