Finsch's duck
| Finsch's duck | |
|---|---|
| |
| Holotype bones | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Chenonetta |
| Species: | †C. finschi
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Chenonetta finschi (van Beneden, 1875)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Euryanas finschi Oliver, 1930 | |
Finsch's duck (Chenonetta finschi) (Māori: Manutahora)[3] was a large terrestrial species of duck formerly endemic to New Zealand.[4] The species was possibly once the most common duck in New Zealand, a supposition based on the frequency of its fossils in bone deposits.
Taxonomy
Finsch's duck was scientifically described as Anas finschi in 1876 by Pierre-Joseph van Beneden. The specific epithet finschi and the common name honours ornithologist Otto Finsch, who first recognised it as a distinct species.[5]
The species was originally considered to be in its own
Description
The Finsch's duck was much larger than the maned duck, probably weighing twice as much (around 1–2 kg (2.2–4.4 lb)) and having larger legs. The wings were much reduced however, and it seems that flight was lost relatively quickly after the species arrived in New Zealand.[6]
Behaviour and ecology
Little is known about the biology of the species, but its remains have been found widely in New Zealand and it does not seem to have been tied to water like many other duck species.[6]
This species was present in forests, shrublands and temperate grasslands.[7]
It is likely that Finsch’s duck bred in hollows, tree trunk or fallen logs because these are the preferred breeding locations of the Australian wood duck, its nearest relative.
Finsch’s duck was most likely a grazer and browser of vegetation, probably mixed with fallen fruit and some invertebrates.[8]
Extinction
The species is thought to have become extinct due to human
References
- . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Chenonetta finschi. NZTCS". nztcs.org.nz. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Finsch's duck | Manutahora". New Zealand Birds Online. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
- OCLC 80016906.
- ^ van Beneden, P. J. (1876). "A new fossil bird, Anas finschi, from the Earnscleugh Caves, Otago, New Zealand". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 9. New Zealand Institute: 599–602. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Worthy, Trevor H., Olson, Storrs L. (2002). "Relationships, adaptations, and habits of the extinct duck 'Euryanas' finschi" (PDF). Notornis. 49 (1): 1–17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2007.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Canard de Finsch". aerien.ch.
- ^ "Finsch's duck". nzbirdsonline.
- ISBN 978-0-909010-21-8.
Further reading
- Tennyson, A. & Martinson, P. (2006) Extinct Birds of New Zealand Te Papa Press,Wellington ISBN 978-0-909010-21-8
- Finsch's Duck. Chenonetta finschi. by Paul Martinson. Artwork produced for the book Extinct Birds of New Zealand, by Alan Tennyson, Te Papa Press, Wellington, 2006
