|
This article is a stub. This article is short and lacking information. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
|
- Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Identification
Distribution
This 54 cm long species is an 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.
Taxonomy
The Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus) is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is the only member of the genus Hymenolaimus, placed in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae[citation needed] after previously being considered part of the paraphyletic "perching duck" assemblage. The Māori name is whio, which is an onomatopoetic rendition of the males' call.
