Bufflehead
Bufflehead drake — Ian Gereg In North America, Bufflehead use flicker (some woodpecker species) nest holes for breeding. In captivity they will adopt log nest boxes, ideally set on a pole over water. The ducklings are difficult to rear, and can be provided with live food to encourage them to feed, though it might be […]
Australian Shelduck
Australian Sheldrake — Ian Gereg Australian Shelduck — Ian Gereg Tadorna tadornoides Large and handsome, the Australian Shelduck is an endemic of southern Australia where it favours freshwater swamps and lakes. They are also seen on the coast after nesting has finished. Invariably seen in pairs (having long-term pair bonds), they join together in large […]
Emperor Goose
Emperor Geese — Morag Jones Hand-reared Emperor Goslings in a grazing pen — Ian Gereg Anser canagicus The handsome, stocky Emperor Goose is a resident of Alaska and north-eastern Siberia. It’s a maritime species, breeding on coastal tundra and migrating a relatively short distance, to winter principally in the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of […]
Brazilian Merganser
Wild Brazilian Merganser family — Sávio Freire Bruno It is estimated that the total population of the Brazilian Merganser is less than 250 birds. This duck was bred in captivity for the first time at a private zoo in Brazil in 2017; part of a conservation breeding plan to help ensure the survival of this […]
Blue-billed Teal
Blue-billed Teal — Jan Harteman Formerly placed in the genus Anas, the Blue-billed Teal is the ancestor of Puna Teal Spatula puna, from which Silver Teal S. versicolor evolved. All three are sometimes placed together in the genus Punanetta. The current genus, Spatula, includes Garganey S. querquedula, Blue-winged S.discors and Cinnamon Teals S. cyanoptera and the Shovelers. Blue-billed Teal […]
Baikal Teal
Pair of Baikal Teal Baikal Teal were listed in the genus Anas until very recently but are not closely related to any of the other teal in this genus. They are now listed in the monotypic genus Sibirionetta. Baikal Teal nesting — Jan Harteman, Aeres MBO Barneveld Baikal Teal drake — Ian Gereg Sibirionetta formosa […]
Bernier’s Teal
Bernier’s Teal — Jan Harteman The Bernier’s Teal pictured on this page are housed at Harteman Wildfowl, in the Netherlands. Bernier’s Teal family — Jan Harteman Anas bernieri Rare and little known, Bernier’s Teal, also known as the Madagascar Teal, is a close relation of the far more numerous and widespread Grey Teal. Endemic to […]
Bar-headed Goose
Bar-headed Geese — Ian Gereg Bar-headed Geese — Morag Jones Anser indicus The Bar-headed Goose is one of the most striking of the geese. The name of this very gracefully-built bird derives from the two prominent horseshoe shaped, brownish-black bars enhancing the white head. The general colour is pale grey. A large wing area for […]
Common Shelduck
Common Sheldrake — Mo Warren Common Shelduck — Mo Warren The knob on the bill of the drake Common Shelduck is more pronounced than on the duck, which usually has some white between the bill and eye. Common Shelduck juveniles — Ken Ballinger Tadorna tadorna Common Shelduck are popular in many wildfowl collections. They are an […]
Falcated Duck
Falcated Drake — Nick Willis Falcated Duck & duckling — Pinola Conservancy Mareca falcata With its striking plumage a drake Falcated Duck is one of the most beautiful of all the ducks. It cannot be confused with any other; the long flowing crest and elongated, sickle-shaped tertial feathers giving it a unique appearance. In contrast, […]
