Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
B7, B29, B30, B31, B40, B94, B95, B97, B108, B128.w1, B128.w2)
D1, D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Dabbling Ducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture information

Notes

• Dabbling Ducks are generally hardy, easy to maintain and easy to breed. Shelter may be required by some of the smaller species in winter. They should be provided with cover (including marginal pond cover) and loafing areas as well as water. A pen which is 50% water is suggested. The water may be shallow (i.e. no more than two feet deep is required), and muddy areas for dabbling in are also appreciated. These ducks are generally good in mixed collections, although the smaller and quieter species may be bullied. Territorial disputes between ducks of the same species may be avoided by keeping only one pair of each species in an enclosure, unless the area is very large. For a single pair of ducks a pen are of 50 to 100 square metres, depending on the size of duck, should be provided.
• A diet based on wheat and pellets is suggested, with maintenance pellets changed to breeders pellets for the breeding season. Bread and greenfood are also appreciated. Grit should always be available, with soluble grit (e.g. oystershell grit) as a calcium source when breeding.
• Most species are ground nesters and both close ground cover and ground level nest boxes should be provided. Hand-rearing is generally preferred, as these ducks are generally poor parents in captive conditions, particularly in enclosures shared with other waterfowl. These ducks are prone to hybridization, particularly with closely related species, which should be kept apart from one another.

(B7, B29, B30, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Falcated ducks (Falcated teal) are winter-hardy and suitable for mixed collections. They may be fed as other Dabbling Ducks: pellets, grain, greenfood, bread. For breeding, they may do best sharing a reasonable-sized enclosure e.g. with a pair of geese, with natural vegetation cover for nesting.
• These ducks are fairly easy to breed, nesting in thick natural cover, but they may also use a ground-level nest box. Laying expected mid May to mid June in western and central Europe, rarely earlier. Artificial incubation is suggested due to the risk of predation of both duck and ducklings; the duck may re-lay. Rearing of ducklings is not difficult if ample green food is available (e.g. duckweed, minced grass).
• Hybridisation with other Anas species, may give fertile offspring; hybridisation with Tadorna ferruginea - Ruddy shelduck has also been reported.

(B29, B30, B31, B94, B95, B97, B108, B128.w2)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: K 10.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Upperparts grey: scapulars grey and elongated, tertials long, pointed grey and black. Wing has blackish primaries, grey coverts with white tips to greater coverts, glossy green secondaries with white tips forming green speculum with white borders.

Eclipse:: similar to female but darker and with greyer forewing.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

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Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

South-eastern Siberia and Mongolia to Kuril Islands and north Japan.

Migrates to winter in eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam), scattered locations westward to north-eastern India.

Vagrants west to Iran, Jordan, Turkey, and east to Aleutian Islands.

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Habitat

Also coasts, larger shallow waters, flooded meadows and rice fields in winter.

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Widespread and reasonably abundant in some areas of Russia, but overall declining (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade