Paradise Duck
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Tadorna
Species: Tadorna
Scientific Name: Tadorna variegata
Common Names: Pari, paradise duck, Putangitangi
Origin: European introduction
63 cm; 6 1700 g, Q 1400 g. Large goose-like duck with orange-chestnut undertail and tertials.
Male has black head with greenish gloss, body dark grey finely barred black.
Female has brilliant white head, body bright orange-chestnut, obscured by darker fine barring in eclipse plumage. Juveniles like male, but immature females develop white patches around eyes and at base of bill. In flight, prominent white patches on upperwings. Often call; male a deep 'zonk-zonk ', female a shrill 'zeek, zeek . .'
Mostly seen as pairs or in large flocks, especially during the moult in Dec-Mar.
Habitat: Farmland, lakes, ponds and high-country riverbeds. Paradise Shelducks form long-term pair bonds, often lasting for life, and defend territories.They have a long breeding season which is between August through December. They reach sexual maturity after two years, and build nests lined with grass and feathers hidden in high grass, hollow trees or beneath rotting logs.
This infomation is from http://www.whatbird.co.nz
Call of the paradise duck
A pair of Paradise ducks
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