Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
(General stifftail information: J23.13.w8, B29, B30, B40, B94)
B8, B29
D8.

Other References

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

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Whistling-ducks (Tree-ducks)

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Cold-sensitive Birds (Category 1.) (D1)
• Diving Ducks (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

General information:

• Stiff-tails are generally hardy. They are extremely aquatic and do best on large ponds of variable depth, with clean, deep water and plenty of natural food available in the form of marginal aquatic plants, while a muddy pond bottom will provide food items such as tubifex worms. Duckweed and small-sized seeds such as millet and canary seed mixtures are preferred to conventional waterfowl feeds, although wheat and pellets will be taken if natural food is scarce, for example in hard winter weather. Ample marginal vegetation (e.g. rushes, sedge, juncus reed) should be available for general cover and for nesting, with nesting rafts also provided.
• Most species are sociable and do best in groups rather than as a single pair; males will fight, but usually for only a short period, some degree of pursuit and rape of ducks is also likely. They can be very aggressive in nest site defence, therefore in mixed collections they should be kept on a water area sufficiently large for other ducks to escape.
• Stiff-tail ducklings should preferably be reared with access to water from e.g. two days old, with sufficient depth for diving provided even at an early age, although enforced drying off periods between short swims may be advisable initially. Duckweed is a useful starter food for these species, although attached daphnia and water snails may carry parasites.

(J23.13.w8, B29, B30, B40, B94).

Species-specific information:

• White-backed ducks are not commonly kept although they are bred regularly in some collections.
• They are rather quiet birds, almost exclusively aquatic, and thrive on large, heavily-vegetated water areas.
• They may nest in a ground-level box and prefer to nest on rafts, laying eggs in May to June.

(B8, B29, D1)

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

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Breast, underparts and upperparts buff with black barring, broader barring on flanks than breast and dusky on abdomen. Scapulars brown with buff barring.

Rump and uppertail coverts black with white tipping.

Lower back white. N.B. not visible when wings folded.

Wing: coverts dark brown with buff and white markings. Flight feathers paler brown.

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.)

Thalassornis leuconotus leuconotus: Africa, from Ethiopia south to South Africa. West Africa, from Senegal to Chad.

Thalassornis leuconotus insularis: Madagascar.

Local movements depending on water availability but basically sedentary.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not globally threatened, but appears scarce. West African population of Thalassornis leuconotus leuconotus is declining. However the eastern and southern African population is probably stable (B1, B8).

Madagascan white-backed duck Thalassornis leuconotus insularis considered Endangered (B44.9.w1).

Captive Populations

Trade