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, B40, B94, B97, B128.w1
D1, D8

Other References

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

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Dabbling Ducks
• Pintails

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:

• Yellow-billed pintails (Anas georgica spinicauda - Chilean pintail or Brown pintail) are winter-hardy and may be kept in a mixed collection with other ducks.
• These ducks (Anas georgica spinicauda - Chilean pintail) breed readily, using natural close ground cover for nesting, eggs laid April to May..
• Hybrids reported with Aix sponsa - Wood duck, Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard and various Anas species.

(B29, B30, B94, B97)

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: J 9.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Subspecies variation:- georgica much darker, more reddish-brown than spinicauda, flanks and abdomen flanks and abdomen darker - red-brown with dark spotting; niceforoi (extinct) was darker than spinicauda, head and neck more streaked, crown dark brown, tail shorter (B1, B3, B5, B25).

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.)

Anas georgica spinicauda from extreme southern Columbia south to Tierra del Fuego, eastward to eastern Argentina, and Falkland Islands. Anas georgica georgica South Georgia Island. Anas georgica niceforoi (extinct) was found central Colombia.

Southern populations of mainland birds migrate as far north (lower latitude) as southern Brazil. Birds of temperate regions generally sedentary; South Georgia population (Anas georgica georgica) mainly sedentary but birds do reach South Shetland Islands (B1, B19, B25)

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened; Anas georgica spinicauda widely distributed, locally abundant. Anas georgica georgica abundant within its limited range (B1, B8).

Captive Populations

Trade