Grey Duck

(Anas superciliosa superciliosa)
Also known as parera

Live: Endemic to New Zealand

Habitat: Mainly shallow wetlands and fresh water streams, brackish or saline estuaries.

Diet: In the wild, mostly aquatic invertebrates including insects, also seeds, worms and larvae.

Zoo diet: Duck pellet mix

Gestation: From September to December they nest on the ground in long vegetation or may use a tree hollow. Between 4 and 9 eggs are laid at the rate of one a day, and packed in down to retain warmth during the female's two brief daily absences. The eggs are incubated for about 26 days. After 5 days, the male leaves to re-mate.

Status: Endangered

General: The Grey Duck is similar to a female mallard in appearance. Distinguishing features include the triple stripes from bill to neck formed by a thick dark patch over the top of the head, a brown stripe through the eye, and another fainter line below. The face is light cream. Body feathers are chocolate brown with cream edges. Underparts are paler; speculum an iridescent green (distinctly coloured patch on the wings); eyes red-brown; bill grey-green with a black tip; legs yellow-green.

Habits: Dabbling ducks, grey ducks are usually found in pairs. They tend to stay in or near rushes at the edge of ponds and lakes. Pairing is the result of displays.

Initially ducklings have a yellow face with a dark line through the eye and another beneath the eye. The upper head, neck and back are dark brown. Ducklings swim soon after the last one hatches and dries out. They rarely spend more than an hour on the water at a time, with the female brooding them after each swim to restore body heat. Ducklings fledge at 8-10 weeks.

Grey ducks may interbreed with mallard ducks, as the species are closely related.