Aythya innotata - Madagascar pochard (Species)

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< > Aythya innotata - Madagascar pochard (Click photographs/illustrations: full picture & further details)

INFORMATION AVAILABLE

GENERAL & REFERENCES

EXTERNAL APPEARANCES

REPRODUCTION

BEHAVIOUR

NATURAL DIET

RANGE & HABITAT

CONSERVATION

CONTENTS
(Waterfowl)

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General and References

Alternative Names (Synonyms)
Madagascan pochard Madagascan white-eye Madagaskarmoorente (German) Madagaskar-Moorente (German) Fuligule de Madagascar (French) Milouin de Madagascar (French) Porrón Malgache (Spanish) Pato ojos blancos de Madagascar (Spanish) Aythya nyroca innotata
Names for newly-hatched	Duckling, downy.
Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases	Eclipse

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References
Species Author	Debra Bourne
Major References	B1, B3, B6, B8, B19, B25, B44.9.w1. Aviculture references: B29, B40, B94, B97, B128.w1 D1, D8
Other References	--
	--

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TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)
Parent Group	Waterfowl Pochards White-eyes
Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques	Diving Ducks (D1)

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Aviculture Information
Notes	General information: Pochards are diving ducks which spend most of their time on water, and are ungainly on land. They are generally hardy, sociable and easy to maintain in captivity. They should be kept with deep water available for diving, three to seven feet suggested (B29), or at least half the area 60cm and preferably one metre deep (D1), with shallow sloping banks for easy exit from the water, also islands, good marginal vegetation and loafing areas. Water providing a good supply of natural animal and vegetable food is preferred. These ducks may be kept in mixed collections with dabbling ducks, including smaller species such as teal. They should be fed wheat in water, encouraging their natural diving behaviour. Pellets should also be fed. They may breed better if a group rather than single pair kept, as this allows their normal group displaying activity. 12x12x14 inch (30x30x35cm) nest box with 5 inch (12.5cm) entrance hole suggested, placed under cover at the edge of the pond (B128.w1). (B29, B40, B94, B128.w1, D1). Species-specific information: Madagascar pochard have very rarely been bred. They may nest in close ground cover or possibly ground-level nest boxes. Probably lay eggs April to June (B29). Fertile hybrids reported with Aythya nyroca - Ferruginous pochard. (B29, B97). Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme suggested average closed ring size: K 10.0mm (D8).
Management Techniques	--

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External Appearance (Morphology)

Measurement & Weight
Length	18 inches, 46cm (B3); 45-56cm (B1)
Adult weight	General	--
	Male	--
	Female	--
Newly-hatched weight	--
Growth rate	--

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Head
Adult	Bill	Male	Lead grey-black, nail black (B2, B6, B25).
		Variations (If present)	--
	Eyes (Iris)	Male	White (B2, B6, B25).
		Variations(If present)	Brown (B2, B6, B25).
Juvenile	Bill	Dark grey, nail black (B2, B6, B25)
	Eyes (Iris)	Brown, later pale grey in males (B6, B25)

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Legs
Adult	Male	Grey (B2, B25).
	Variations (If present)	--
Juvenile	Grey B2, B25).

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Plumage
Adult	Male	Head and neck dark chestnut-brown/purplish, breast dark chestnut-brown, flanks mottled chestnut-brown, abdomen and undertail coverts white, tail, uppertail coverts and rump blackish. Upperparts blackish. Wing coverts blackish, flight feathers white with black tips and dark outer primaries (B2, B6, B8, B25).
	Variations (If present)	Female:- head, neck, breast brown-chestnut, flanks mottled brown, abdomen whitish but mottled more than male (B2, B6, B25). Eclipse:- Duller and browner: similar to female (B6, B8, B25).
Juvenile	Similar to female; body paler duller brown (B6, B25).

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Newly-hatched Characteristics

General: Upperparts dark brown, underparts and face yellow (B1, B6)
Bill: Grey (B6).
Feet: Grey (B6).

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Reproduction

Reproductive Season
Time of year	Nesting activity observed March and April (B8); October to January suggested calculated from age of juveniles (B6).
No. of Clutches	--

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Nest placement and structure

Near water, in tufts of vegetation, made from plant material and lined with down - in captivity (B1, B8).

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Egg clutches
No. of Eggs	Average	--
	Range	6-9 (B8); 6-8 (B6).
Egg Description	Buff-grey (B2, B6, B8). size 55x40mm (B2, B6).

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26-28 days (captive) (B1, B2, B6, B8).

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Sexual Maturity
Males	--
Females	--

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Behaviour

Feeding Behaviour
Adults	Probably diving in shallow water (B1).
Newly-hatched	--

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Parental Behaviour
Nest-building	Solitary nests (B1).
Incubation	--
Newly-hatched	--
Juveniles	--

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Social Behaviour
Intra-specific	--
Inter-specific	--

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Sexual Behaviour

--

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Predation in Wild

--

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Activity Patterns
--
Circadian	--

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Natural Diet

Aquatic invertebrates, seeds of aquatic plants (B1).

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Newly-hatched

--

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Range and Habitat

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)
Normal	Around Lake Aloatra, plateau of Madagascar (B1, B2, B6, B8, B25)
Occasional and Accidental	--
Introduced	--

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Lake Aloatra: open water, and marshy areas with islets and extensive reedbeds (B1).

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Conservation

Intraspecific variation

--

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Conservation Status
Wild Population - (Importance)	Close to extinction (B1, B8).
CITES listing	--
Red-data book listing	Critically endangered.
Threats	Habitat loss, hunting (B44.9.w1).

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Captive Populations

--

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