What is considered a scaup duck?

What kind of ducks live in New Zealand?

New Zealand scaup are gregarious diving ducks common throughout New Zealand. Compact and blackish, they have the silhouette of a bath-toy duck. Large approachable flocks are a feature of the Rotorua and Queenstown lakeshores, and scaup are also common on the Avon River that flows through Christchurch.

Where can I find information about New Zealand scaup?

Papango, Black Teal or NZ Scaup, Aythya novaeseelandiae, found in New Zealand Birds’ bird gallery section, includes general information about the bird, taxonomy, description, where to find them and other useful and interesting information. The bird gallery links to in-depth descriptions of most New Zealand birds.

Where to see the scaup in Rotorua?

Papango, the New Zealand scaup One of the attractions of a visit to Rotorua from here in Whakatane is to stop by the lakes along the way to observe the bird life, particularly the New Zealand scaup and the more elusive dabchick.

What is a New Zealand scaup?

New Zealand scaup are quite unlike any other resident duck species. Dark and squat with a rounded profile, they often occur in large flocks, floating with cork-like buoyancy.

Are there scaup Ducks in New Zealand?

New Zealand scaup/pāpango. New Zealand scaup/pāpango (Aythya novaeseelandiae) are the only true diving duck in New Zealand. They are endemic and live in lakes and rivers throughout mainland New Zealand.

What is the smallest duck in New Zealand?

Among the smallest New Zealand ducks, scaup are around 40 centimetres long and weigh 650 grams. Males have yellow eyes, and a darker body than females. Scaup numbers declined since European settlement, but have begun to recover in some regions.

How do New Zealand’s WHIO Ducks adapt to their environment?

New Zealand’s steep mountain streams and forested rivers are far too swift and rough for most ducks. However the whio ( Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) takes churning rapids, huge boulders and fallen logs in its stride. It has specialised features that are well adapted to this habitat.

Are there Ducks in New Zealand?

Most of the Anatidae in New Zealand are endemic, but a few have become naturalised here and several have been deliberately introduced. Many of our native ducks became extinct even before Europeans arrived in New Zealand.

Where do scaup live in New Zealand?

It is found throughout both the North and South Islands of New Zealand in deep freshwater lakes and ponds. 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.

How many scaup are there?

Scaup were first identified at Dusky Sound in Fiordland by Forster who accompanied Cook in his second voyage in 1773. They are thinly spread on clear-water lakes and lagoons near the sea over the North and South Islands. According to Birdlife International, there are an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 birds.

What to do in Rotorua?

One of the attractions of a visit to Rotorua from here in Whakatane is to stop by the lakes along the way to observe the bird life, particularly the New Zealand scaup and the more elusive dabchick.

What is the most common duck in NZ?

The mallard is the most common duck in New Zealand and the Northern Hemisphere. From 1867 repeated attempts were made to acclimatise English game farm stock, but these failed. Then, in the 1930s and 40s, eggs from San Francisco came in wicker baskets onboard flying boats.

How are New Zealand Ducks adapted to their habitat?

Different New Zealand duck species have become adapted to particular habitats in New Zealand and have co-existed by taking advantage of different ecological niches. Each species has unique adaptations and characteristics that are summarised below. The mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos) is the most common duck in New Zealand.

Where can I see scaup in New Zealand?

Large approachable flocks are a feature of the Rotorua and Queenstown lakeshores, and scaup are also common on the Avon River that flows through Christchurch. New Zealand scaup are quite unlike any other resident duck species.

What is the closest lake to Lake Rotorua?

20. Lake Rotoiti The neighbouring lake to Lake Rotorua, Lake Rotoiti is a world of its own. The scenic lake hides all sorts of wonders between glowworm caves and natural hot pools.

What happened to the grey duck in New Zealand?

Grey ducks were still the most common dabbling duck in New Zealand up to the 1950s, but as introduced mallards became established the two species have interbred. Numbers of grey ducks dropped from 1.5 million in 1970 to fewer than 500,000 in the 1990s. Loss of wetlands is another factor in their decline.

How many scaup are there in New Zealand?

The New Zealand scaup population was estimated at 20,000 birds in the 1990s. This may have increased following the range and population expansion reported in Canterbury. Populations apparently declined during late 1800s and early 1900s due to land clearance, associated hydrological changes, predation and hunting.

What is New Zealand Birds Online?

New Zealand Birds Online – The digital encyclopaedia of New Zealand birds. A collection of images, sound files and information about New Zealand’s unique bird species. Home page | New Zealand Birds Online Skip to main contentSkip to navigation

What is the smallest duck in the world?

The smallest species by far in the assemblage was the minute Manuherikia duck, which was slightly smaller than a pink-eared duck (an Australian species that has been seen once in New Zealand).

What is New Zealand’s smallest bird?

The rifleman (tītiti pounamu in Māori) is New Zealand’s smallest bird. It weighs only one-third as much as a mouse. Saddlebacks

What makes New Zealand’s small forest birds unique?

Page 1. New Zealand’s small forest birds A New Zealand forest filled with birds is alive with sounds, as birds find food, defend their territory, attract mates and guard chicks. Some small forest birds are easier to track by ear than by eye.

What is the smallest duck breed?

The Smallest Duck Breeds | Bantam Ducks. 1 1. Call Duck. With an appearance of a kid’s toy, next on the list of the smallest duck breeds is the Call duck. Unofficially, it is the cutest duck in … 2 2. Black East Indian Duck. 3 3. Mallard bantam. 4 4. Mandarin. 5 5. Carolina Wood Duck. More items

What is the rarest water bird in New Zealand?

The brown teal/pāteke is a small dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand. They are the rarest waterfowl on the mainland. The dabchick, or weweia is a specialised waterbird endemic to New Zealand. They are currently extinct from the South Island but they can be found around the Central North Island in Taupo and Rotorua.

Are mallard ducks native to New Zealand?

The mallard is the most common duck in New Zealand and the Northern Hemisphere. From 1867 repeated attempts were made to acclimatise English game farm stock, but these failed.

How many types of ducks are there in New Zealand?

There are four key species of duck in New Zealand: Mallard, Grey, Shoveller and Paradise: The mallard is the most common duck in New Zealand and the Northern Hemisphere. From 1867 repeated attempts were made to acclimatise English game farm stock, but these failed.