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Nigel Key Pink-Eared Duck
(Slimbridge September 2012)
The Pink-Eared Duck, also known as the Zebra duck, is the only living member of the Malacorhynchus genus and is endemic to Australia
The Pink-Eared Duck has a large spatula shaped bill similar to the Australian Shoveler which it uses to filter Plankton and Algae etc. for food.
Breeding of this duck is triggered by the amount of available organic material which is dependent upon the drying and filling of Pools. Should conditions not arise to produce the necessary food source then breeding will become limited or completely curtailed.
| Hear the Pink-Eared Duck's Call:- |
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Conservation Status
Size
380mm to 400mm (15" to 16")
Appearance - Male
The male has a Brown back and crown, a small luminescent Pink patch behind the eye, Black and White barred flanks, breast and under-parts and a White face with dark Brown eye patches. The eyes are Brown with a White ring around them and a light Grey spatula shaped bill. The rump is White, the tail is dark Brown with a White tip and the wings are Brown with White edging on the secondary flight feathers. The legs and feet are light Grey.
Appearance - Female
The female is similar to the male.
Habitat
Wetlands, Flood plains, Slow Moving Water, Lakes and Pools.
Diet
Plankton, Crustaceans, Molluscs and Insects.
Breeding Time
Varies dependent upon environmental conditions.
Nest
The nest is often built on nesting platforms which were previously created by other waterfowl such as Coots. The nest is lined with a rounded mass of down which is very thick and has a sticky consistency which prevents heat loss from the eggs very effectively.
Eggs
Quantity: 6 to 8
Colour: Creamy White.
African Pygmy Goose
