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| NEW
ZEALAND DUCKS |
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| Duck
is the common name for a number of species in the Anatidae family
of birds. The ducks are divided between several subfamilies in the
Anatidae family. Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than
the swans and geese, and may be found in both fresh water and sea
water. |
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Whio
(Blue Duck)
Common
name: Blue Duck / Whio
Scientific name: Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Family/Subfamily: Anatinae (Ducks)
Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves
The shrill whistle of Whio is an ancient trademark of
New Zealand rivers now heard by few people. A
specialist of the white water, the Blue Duck is unique
but is now restricted to central North Island & West
Coast Rivers. Ducks Unlimited's "Operation Whio" is a
captive breeding programme which will help return
Whio to its former haunts through the release of
young birds into the wild. |
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INFORMATION |
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Parera
(Grey Duck)
Common
name: Grey Duck / Parera
Scientific name: Anas superciliosa
Family/Subfamily: Anatinae (Ducks)
Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves
Known throughout the South Pacific as the Pacific
Black Duck, the Grey Duck faces a unique problem
in New Zealand. Once widespread and common, it
inhabits wild wetlands away from human disturbance.
With the continuing loss of wetlands and increasing
numbers of Mallards, Parera face extinction through
cross-breeding with the more aggressive Mallards.
Ducks Unlimited's "Operation Wetlands" aims to
conserve New Zealand's rare waterfowl by providing
a place for them to live through the creation of vital
wetland habitat. |
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INFORMATION |
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Mallard
Common
name: Mallard
Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos
Family/Subfamily: Anatinae (Ducks)
Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves
The ubiquitous Mallard has been introduced to New
Zealand and since the 1930's its numbers have
exploded to an extent where it is now found in
almost every corner of the country. The success
of this species has closely followed the conversion
of New Zealand's large wetlands to highly productive
farmland. The brilliant green head of the male and
the loud quacking of the female make the Mallard
one of the most easily recognisable New Zealand
waterfowl. |
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INFORMATION |
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GALLERY |
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Do
you have great pictures of some of
waterfowl or New Zealand wetlands. If
so we would love to be able to display
them in our gallery.
Please
email your photos to head office. |
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| FaceBook
Gallery |
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Click
on the icons below to visit our
Facebook Photo Gallery. |
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