Brown teal
Brown teal | |
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Brown Teal | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Anseriformes |
Family: | Anatidae |
Genus: | Anas |
Species: | A. chlorotis
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Binomial name | |
Anas chlorotis Gray, 1845
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Synonyms | |
Anas aucklandica chlorotis Elasmonetta chlorotis |
The brown teal (Anas chlorotis;
Description
There are no distinctive differences between a male, female and a juvenile brown teal during non-mating season. They all have a white ring around their eyes as well as a mottled brown color on their heads and throat.[3] During breeding season the male will begin to change color, now having a green colored head, chestnut colored breast and a white stripe on each side of their body. They will sometimes also have a white clerical neck band. This does vary as some males do tend to be more colorful than others.[4][5]
Taxonomy
Pateke is the progenitor of the flightless Auckland teal and Campbell teals but all are now recognised as separate species on account of their geographic isolation and their plumage, size and genetic distinctions.[6] The insular A. aucklandica and A. nesiotis are recognised as distinct species, but are still sometimes referred to as being part of the "brown teal group". The use of the name 'pateke' is now common and is specific for this particular species.
Concerns have been raised about establishing genetically similar populations during re-introduction. The original captive pateke were sourced from Great Barrier Island, where only one haplotype was found in abundance, compared with eleven haplotypes found in the other remaining population at Mimiwhangata. The newly released flocks exclusively contain these birds of captive origin, and diversity is perhaps now not being fully represented in the National population.[7]
The former population of Fiordland brown teal, which died out by 2013[8] has been replaced with captive-origin birds. Sequencing showed striking similarity to grey duck and mallard sequences, with which they group. It therefore seems extremely likely that the former Fiordland population of brown teal have at sometime in the past hybridised extensively with these invading species.[9]
Behaviour
The brown teal is largely
Diet
It feeds by dabbling and upending, like its relatives. Its diet consists mainly of
Breeding
Nest of dry grass near water or under shelter of large Carex,[10] heavily lined with down. A clutch of four to eight creamy-brown eggs is laid.[11] Incubation is done by only the female and takes 27–30 days. The male stays in his territory as a guard, aggressive to all other waterfowl.[12]
Distribution & conservation
This species is endangered and occurs predominantly on offshore islands but also in predator-proof sanctuaries on the mainland such as
Apart from Fiordland's Arthur Valley, there is only one other site in the South Island where brown teal live in the wild: since 2017, the Department of Conservation and Project Janszoon have released just under 300 of the waterfowl in the Awapoto River in Abel Tasman National Park. The birds are successfully breeding in that location.[13]
References
- . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ "Brown Teal Description". Brown Teal / Pateke Recovery Program. 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ "Blue-winged Teal | Types of Ducks & Geese". www.ducks.org. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ "What Type of Duck is a Teal?". The Spruce. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
- ^ "Brown teal | New Zealand Birds Online".
- ^ Bowker-Wright, Gemma; Loss of Genetic Diversity with Captive Breeding and Re-Introduction: A Case Study on Pateke/Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis) 2008
- ^ Hyslop, L. & Kenny, K. http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/national/9396503/South-Island-duck-extinct
- ^ Gemmell, NJ., Flint, H.J., 2000. Taxonomic status of the brown teal (Anas chlorotis) in Fiordland. Conservation Advisory Science Notes, No. 326, Department of Conservation, Wellington
- ^ Perrine Moncrieff; New Zealand Birds and How to Identify Them
- ^ M.J. Williams, BSc (Hons), PhD
- ^ M.J. Williams, BSc (Hons), PhD
- ^ "Pāteke / brown teal". Project Janszoon. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- BirdLife International (2007) Species factsheet: Anas chlorotis. Downloaded from Archived 2007-07-10 at the Wayback Machine on 5/9/2007
- Moore, Suzanne J. & Battley, Phil F. (2003): Cockle-opening by a dabbling duck, the Brown Teal. Waterbirds 26(3): 331–334. DOI:10.1675/1524-4695(2003)026[0331:CBADDT]2.0.CO;2 PDF fulltext
- Worthy, T.H. & Holdaway, R.N. (2002) The Lost World of the Moa, Indiana University Press:Bloomington, ISBN 0-253-34034-9
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/9396503/South-Island-duck-extinct
Further reading
- O'Brien, Rory M. (1990). "Anas chlorotis Brown Teal" (PDF). In Marchant, S.; Higgins, P.G. (eds.). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to ducks; Part B, Australian pelican to ducks. Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press. pp. 1289–1295. ISBN 978-0-19-553068-1.
External links
- S.M. O'Connor; R.F. Maloney; R.J. Pierce (2007). "Pateke (Anas chlorotis) recovery plan, 2005–10 (Threatened Species Recovery Plan 59)" (PDF). Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
- Brown Teal Site