From Opus

Photo by bazanbirds
Ganseong, Gangwon Province, South Korea, June 2010

Anas zonorhyncha

[edit] Identification

With 58-63 cm slightly bigger than a Mallard.
The body is blackish and solid brown. The head is withish with a black cap and eyestripe. The lower edge of the terminal half of the inner tertial are white and the bill is black with a yellow tip.
Shows a green speculum in flight.

[edit] Distribution

Photo by Stoop
Fukushimagata, Niigata, Japan, March 2008

Widely distributed in Eastern Asia from southeast Siberia, Japan and Korea south to China. Winters in southern China, Taiwan and the Philippines.

[edit] Taxonomy

A dabbling duck of the genus Anas. Forms a superspecies with Indian Spot-billed Duck, Pacific Black Duck and Philippine Duck.
This is a monotypic species^[1]. It has been considered conspecific with Indian Spot-billed Duck in the past.

[edit] Habitat

Various types of wetlands, at the coast and inland. Prefers shallow water with vegetation.

[edit] Behaviour

The northernmost populations are migratory and spend the winter in south and east China.

[edit] Breeding

Breeding season variable. Usually in single pairs but may form loose small colonies. Nests in a pad of vegetation on the ground or in trees, always near water. Lays 7-9 eggs.

[edit] Diet

Feeds vegetarian, mostly seeds, parts of grasses, sedges and aquatic vegetation. Only occasionally water inscects are taken. Like other dabbling ducks this species feeds head-dipping and upending in the water.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist

• List of references

[edit] External Links