Stats

Lifespan: 10-15 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Pair
Biome: Freshwater river
Range: New Zealand
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Endangered

About

Blue ducks, also known as whio, are small waterfowl native to New Zealand. They are the only members of the genus Hymenolaimus and are closely related to the ducks in the genus Sarkidiornis.

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.

Learn more

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Hymenolaimus
Species: Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos