Alberta's breeding duck population appears to be healthy, according to early results from an annual waterfowl census.

The survey, which is about two-thirds finished, tallies up birds in Alberta as well as the other Prairie provinces, the western Arctic, parts of Ontario and some northern states.

Last year the duck population in the surveyed area was estimated at just under 49 million.

Perry McCormick, who manages Ducks Unlimited in Alberta, said early results of this year's survey indicate duck numbers are staying strong. And that’s great news for biodiversity, he said.

"Waterfowl provide a great harbinger for the state of the environment, if you will. Healthy waterfowl populations means healthy ecosystems ," he said.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, provincial governments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and interest groups such as Ducks Unlimited conduct the survey with observers in the air supported by ground crews.