- Auckland Islands Teal
Taxobox
name = Auckland Islands Teal
image_caption = Auckland Islands Teal in front, with Brown Teal behind
status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend =
regnum =Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Anseriformes
familia =Anatidae
genus = "Anas "
species = "A. aucklandica"
binomial = "Anas aucklandica"
binomial_authority = (Gray, 1844)
synonyms =The Auckland Islands Teal ("Anas aucklandica") is a species of
dabbling duck of the genus "Anas" that is endemic toAuckland Islands south ofNew 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. Theplumage 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 relatedCampbell Island Teal , lost the power of flight.The Auckland Islands Real is mostly
crepuscular to nocturnal, preferring to hide from predators (New Zealand Falcon s andskua s) 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,insect s,amphipod s and other small Invertebrates. The Auckland Islands Teal are territorial and seldom form flocks.References
* Hector, J. (1896). "Dr Collins' testimony of a Snares Island duck" "Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute" 29: 614. [http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_29/rsnz_29_00_006500.pdf PDF fulltext]
*Williams, M (2005) "Auckland Islands Teal "Anas aucklandica" P.p. 579-581. In Kear J. (Ed) "Ducks, Geese and Swans of the World, Volume 2" Oxford University Press:Oxford ISBN: 0-19-854645-9External links
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=453&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
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