Brazilian Duck ( Amazonetta brasiliensis )
- Sent by Rodrigo Girardi Santiago - 31/10/2006
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Physical appearance:
40 cm. The feet are red and webbed. The chest is brown, as well as the face that is a bit darker. There is a patch of iridescent feathers in the wings. When flying it shows a large white spot at the back of the wing. The male has a red beak and the female’s is blue. The Female also has white spots on the face.
Distribution:
From Venezuela to Argentina.
Habitat:
Wetlands, lakes, ponds and rivers even in polluted places.
Diet:
Feeds on seeds, leaves and small invertebrates. The hatchlings are goot at catching insects.
Reproduction:
Lays up to 14 bluish or greenish eggs. When the adult realizes the presence of a potential predator it distracts its attention pretending it is wounded.
Natural history:
When shedding its feathers becomes incapable of flying for three weeks. During this period it remains hidden in dense vegetation. It is one of the toughest waterfowl. It has been seen by the author both in a small artificial spring in Campinas-SP and in an extremely polluted pond in a garbage dumping site in BrasÃlia-DF. It is one of the most commonly hunted ducks in Brazil.
