New Zealand scaup
| New Zealand scaup | |
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| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
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A. novaeseelandiae
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| Binomial name | |
| Aythya novaeseelandiae (Gmelin, 1789)
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| File:Aythya novaeseelandiae distribution map.png | |
| Distribution map of the New Zealand scaup (red) | |
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The New Zealand scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) commonly known as a black teal, is a diving duck species of the genus Aythya. It is endemic to New Zealand. In Maori commonly known as papango, also matapouri, titiporangi, raipo.[2]
Description
Overall dark brown/black colours. The male has a striking yellow eye and a dark coloured (greenish) head. The female is similar to the male, but without the yellow eye and has a white face patch during breeding season. A white wing bar can be seen in both sexes when in flight.[3]
Feeding
The scaup is a diving duck which may submerge for twenty to thirty seconds and go down three metres to look for aquatic plants, small fish, water snails, mussels and insects.[4][5] It is sometimes seen with the Australian coot (Fulica atra); it is thought that the scaup takes advantage of the food stirred up by the coots as they fossick for shrimps.[5]
Distribution
It is found throughout both the North and South Islands of New Zealand in deep freshwater lakes and ponds.[3] Unlike other members of this genus, the scaup is not migratory, although it does move to open water from high country lakes if they become frozen in winter.[5]
Life cycle
They nest from October to March. They lay five to eight cream/white eggs in a nest close to water, often under banks or thick cover. The nest is usually lined with grass and down.[3] The eggs are incubated for four weeks by the female. The newly hatched ducklings begin diving for food on their first outing.[5]
References
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