Hartlaub's duck ( Pteronetta hartlaubii) is a dark chestnut-coloured duck of . Formerly included in the paraphyletic "perching duck" assemblage, it was later moved to the dabbling duck assemblage.
Analysis of mtDNA DNA sequence of the cytochrome b and NADH dehydrogenase Protein subunit 2 genes suggests that it belongs into a very distinct clade—possibly a subfamily of its own—together with the blue-winged goose, another African species of waterfowl with uncertain affinities.
Description
average, Hartlaub's ducks range from 56-58 centimeters in height. This species of duck is monotypic, meaning there is only one type of this species. Juveniles have feathers with pale tips on their breast and abdomen. Their adult coat is fully grown after six months. Adult males weigh between 925 and 1140 grams, and they have a white head with reddish-brown eyes. The females have barely any white on their heads, have dark red eyes, and weigh between 770 and 805 grams. The amount of white on each duck's head will vary. Both sexes have a blue patch on their wing that distinguishes them from other waterfowl. During mating season, the base of the male's bill will enlarge.
Distribution
Hartlaub's duck is resident in equatorial West and Central Africa, from
Guinea and
Sierra Leone east through
Nigeria to
South Sudan, and south to
Gabon, Congo and
Zaire.
Hartlaub's ducks reside in swampy marshes, tropical forests, savanna areas, rivers, and streams. In Liberia, they live in mangroves. However, they will only gather in flocks in Liberia from January to May. Year-round, they will live in parts of central western Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon.
Behavior
In flight, Hartlaub's ducks will quack "ko-ko-ko-ko" or "kakakakarr." Their conversational sounds are "whit-whit-whit." When threatened, the males will quack a fast "wheezy whistle." When juveniles are in distress, they will give three calls in evenly spaced quick descending notes.
Their diet consists of aquatic invertebrates, such as insects and crustaceans. The Republic of Congo's Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park reports that the ducks regularly feed on the insects found in elephant dung. They'll also eat seeds and insect larvae. To remove ectoparasites, these ducks have been observed jumping onto the backs of bongo and forest buffalo. They are most active in the early morning and evening.
Breeding
There is no evidence of nests, but they mate during rainy seasons in the months of June to September. The females lay cream-colored eggs, and the chicks have sooty-black heads, yellowish bodies, and an additional orange tinge to the chin, neck, and face. These chicks weigh approximately 35-46 grams upon hatching.
Population
This species exhibits an expansive range, preventing it from meeting vulnerable criteria based on range size, habitat quality, and population limits. Despite a declining population trend, it does not demonstrate the rapidity required to warrant worrying over the possibility of distinction or at-risk status. The population size, varying from moderately small to large, also falls short of vulnerable thresholds. Consequently, this species is designated as "Least Concern" because of its extensive range and stable population count.
[
]
Conservation
In 2006, there were reported to be between 26,000 and 110,000 Hartlaub's ducks in the world.[ Hartlaub's ducks were formerly considered threatened. However, as of 2020, they are no longer considered to be such.][
]
External links
