The 2005 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat survey was released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management. Total breeding duck numbers were relatively unchanged from last year at 31.7 million birds, slightly down from the 32.2 million estimated in 2004. Breeding ducks responded extensively to the improved habitat conditions on the Canadian prairies. Ducks settling in prairie Canada increased by 31 percent from the previous year but decreased in the U.S. prairies by 15 percent.