Stats

Lifespan: 2-15 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Flock
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: North America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Common

About

A tiny diving duck of North American lakes, easily told by the drake's bold white head patch against glossy black-green. It's the smallest sea duck in North America and nests almost exclusively in old flicker holes.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A clutch of eggs rests in a down-lined nest near water, covered and warmed by the brooding female.
2.
hatchling
A downy hatchling follows its mother to the water within hours and feeds itself almost immediately.
3.
juvenile
A juvenile grows its first true feathers, swimming in the family group and learning to dabble or dive.
4.
adult
Fully grown with adult plumage.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Bucephala
Species: Bucephala albeola