From Opus

Anas rhynchotis

Photo by Layzeboy
A male photographed in New Zealand.

[edit] Identification

46-56cm. Male - blue-grey head, with a vertical white crescent, long, spatulate bill.

[edit] Distribution

Southwestern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are 2 subspecies

• A r rhynchotis
• A r variegata

[edit] Habitat

Shallow lakes and pools with dense reed beds, marshes and lagoons.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes herbs, grasses, pondweeds, wigeon grass, eelgrass, and algae.

7-8 eggs are laid and incubated for 25-26 days; the young fledge after 40-45 days.

[edit] External Links