Blue Duck
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The Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus) is a member of the duck, goose and swan - family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only member of the genus Hymenolaimus. The Māori name is Whio.
Distribution / Habitat:
This endemic resident breeder in New Zealand, nesting in hollow logs, small caves and other sheltered spots. It is a rare duck, holding territories on fast flowing mountain rivers.
This is a very localised species now due to predation from introduced mammals, competition for its invertebrate food with introduced trout, and damming of mountain rivers for hydroelectric schemes. The New Zealand Department of Conservation is presently working on recovery programmes in habitats such as the Oparara River area of the West Coast.
It is a powerful swimmer even in white water, but is reluctant to fly. It is difficult to find, but not particularly wary when located.
Description:
The blue duck averages 54 in length. It is a dark slate-grey duck with a chestnut-flecked breast and a paler bill and eye. The pinkish-white bill has fleshy flaps of skin hanging from the sides of its tip.
Call / Vocalization:
The male's call is an aspirated whistle, and the female's is a rattling growl.
Copyright: Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from Wikipedia.org
Diet / Feeding:
This duck feeds off of larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails, and crabs.
Feeding Ducks ...
We all enjoy these beautiful birds and many of us offer them food to encourage them to come over and stay around - and it works! Who doesn't like an easy meal!
However, the foods that we traditionally feed them at local ponds are utterly unsuitable for them and are likely to cause health problems down the road. Also, there may be local laws against feeding this species of bird - so it's best to check on that rather than facing consequences at a later stage.
- Click here to find out which foods to feed them that will offer the nutrition they need to survive a cold winter and remain healthy
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
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