Habitat use by male mink in relation to wetland characteristics and avian prey abundances

Abstract

We documented use of wetland habitats by five radio-marked male mink (Mustela vison) in the aspen parklands of southwestern Manitoba during May–July of 1984 and 1985. Mink activity was most frequent on large, well-flooded, semipermanent and permanent wetlands with irregular shorelines and large areas of open water. These variables were also positively correlated with abundances of waterfowl and other birds. Habitat variables explained 26% of the variation in wetland use by male mink. Grebes, coots, and diving ducks had high habitat overlap with mink, whereas dabbling ducks and blackbirds overlapped little with mink. Bird abundances explained nearly as much variation in habitat use by mink as did physical habitat variables (R2 = 0.24), but some of this association may have been due to selection for (or avoidance of) similar habitats. Combined analysis with habitat and avifaunal variables explained 31% of the variation in wetland use by male mink. Patterns of habitat use by mink and avian prey may help explain previously documented trends of prey selection among prairie mink.