Scaup

(Aythya novaeseelandiae)
Also known as Papango, black teal.

Live:  Confined to freshwater lakes in the high country east of the Southern Alps, lower lakes in the rest of New Zealand. 

Habitat: Range is now restricted to the bigger, deeper lakes including 'hydro' lakes. They do not inhabit flowing water.

Diet: In the wild: Aquatic insect larvae and seeds.
Zoo diet: duck pellet mix daily.
In the FreeFlight Sanctuary feed stations and surrounds are cleaned weekly.

Breeding: October - February.
Pairs form for one season only after elaborate courtship displays.
Nest: In dense cover beside water. Made of reeds or grass, the bowl shaped nests are lined with down. Scaup build their nests close to each other, resembling a loose colony.
Eggs: 5-8 creamy-white, incubated by female for 28 to30 days. Male stays close by.

Conservation status: Endemic and protected.

General: Size to 40cm.
Distinguishing features include small size, general dark colouration and diving habit.
Males: Blacker than females, with yellow eyes. Blue-black bill.Black legs and feet.
Females: Upper surface is dark brown. Brown eyes. Brown-black bill with a white band at the base (more noticeable during breeding season). Dark brown legs and feet.

Widespread until the late 1800's, numbers decreased dramatically due to hunting, competition from introduced ducks and an increase in land being cleared for agriculture

Habits: New Zealand's only true diving duck; the scaup can dive more than 2m for its food using its feet to swim down. Most dives last 15 to 20 seconds but they can stay down for over half a minute. Highly social with little aggression. Fly low over water.

Ducklings: Pale brown upper body, white lower. Red-brown bill. Brown legs. Both parents care for and guard ducklings until they're fledged.