Christopher Taylor Bird Nature Wildlife Mammal Photography
nature photography
GALLERIES > BIRDS > ANSERIFORMES > ANATIDAE > AUCKLAND ISLANDS TEAL [Anas aucklandica]


Auckland Islands Teal Picture
 
 

bird photography

SPECIES INFO

The Auckland Islands Teal (Anas aucklandica) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas that is endemic to Auckland Islands south of New Zealand. The species was once found throughout the Auckland Islands but is now restricted to the islands that lack introduced predators; Adams Island, Enderby Island, Disappointment Island and a few smaller islands. An old report of "the same flightless duck" on North East Island, The Snares group (Hector, 1896) most likely refers to a straggler.

The Auckland Islands Teal is smaller and raker than the Brown Teal of the main islands of New Zealand, a species that it was once considered conspecific with. The plumage is all over brown with a hint of green on the neck and a conspicuous white eyering. The female is slightly daker than the male. The wings are very small and the species has, like the related Campbell Island Teal, lost the power of flight.

The Auckland Islands Teal is mostly crepuscular to nocturnal, preferring to hide from predators (New Zealand Falcons and skuas) during the day. The species inhabits a variety of habitats with the islands, including tussockgrass fields, megaherb shrubland and coastal waters. It is carnivrous for the most part, feeding on marine invertabrates, insects, amphipods and other small Invertebrates. The Auckland Islands Teal are territorial and seldom form flocks.






HOME · ABOUT ME · GALLERY · STOCKLIST · VIDEO · SEARCH · PRESS · CONTACT · BLOG · NEW STUFF
bird photography
All images and video © Copyright 2006-2024 Christopher Taylor, Content and maps by their respective owner. All rights reserved.
nature photography