Falcated Duck

Taxobox
name = Falcated Duck
status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down


image_width = 200px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Anseriformes
familia = Anatidae
genus = "Anas"
species = "A. falcata"
binomial = "Anas falcata"
binomial_authority = Georgi, 1775

The Falcated Duck or Falcated Teal ("Anas falcata") is a duck which breeds in eastern Asia. It nests in eastern Siberia and northern China. It is widely recorded well outside its normal range, but the popularity of this beautiful duck in captivity clouds the origins of these extralimital birds.

This dabbling duck is strongly migratory and winters in much of southeast Asia. It is gregarious outside the breeding season and will then form large flocks.

This is a species of lowland wetlands, such as water meadows or lakes, and usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It nests on the ground, near water and under the cover of taller vegetation. The clutch is 6–10 eggs.

This is a Gadwall-sized dabbling duck at 48–54cm length. The breeding male is unmistakable. Most of the body plumage is finely vermiculated grey, with the long curved tertials which give this species its name hanging off its back. The large head is bottle green with a white throat and bronzed crown. The vent region is patterned in yellow, black and white.

The female Falcated Duck is dark brown, with plumage much like a female Mallard. Its long grey bill is an aid to identification. The eclipse male is like the female, but darker on the back and head. In flight both sexes show a pale grey underwing. The blackish speculum is bordered with a white bar on its inner edge. Young birds are buffer than the female and have short tertials.

The male Falcated Duck has a clear low whistle, whereas the female has a gruff "quack".

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
* "Wildfowl" by Madge and Burn, ISBN 0-7470-2201-1