Hartlaub's Duck
Pteronetta hartlaubii
The Hartlaub's Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii) is a rare ducks, swans, and geese found in 14 countries, weighing about 790 g. Hartlaub's duck is a dark chestnut-coloured duck of African forests.
About the Hartlaub's Duck
Hartlaub's duck is a dark chestnut-coloured duck of African forests. Formerly included in the paraphyletic "perching duck" assemblage, it was later moved to the dabbling duck assemblage. However, it is distinct from the "typical" dabbling ducks, and is placed in the monotypic genus Pteronetta. It is named after the German naturalist Gustav Hartlaub.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
On average, Hartlaub's ducks range from 56–58 centimetres (22–23 in) long. It is monotypic, with no subspecies accepted. Juveniles have feathers with pale tips on their breast and abdomen. The adult plumage is red-brown overall with a black head with or without white marks on the crown; adult plumage is fully developed after six months. The amount of white on each duck's head varies. Adult males weigh between 925–1,140 grams (32.6–40.2 oz), and have reddish-brown eyes; they are more likely to have extensive white on the crown. The females weigh between 770 and 805 grams (27.2 and 28.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Angola, South Sudan.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hartlaub's Duck?
- On average, Hartlaub's ducks range from 56–58 centimetres (22–23 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Hartlaub's Duck?
- The Hartlaub's Duck is a large sized bird weighing about 790 g.
- Where can you see a Hartlaub's Duck?
- The Hartlaub's Duck occurs in 14 countries, including Ghana, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo - Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea.
- What birds look similar to a Hartlaub's Duck?
- The Hartlaub's Duck is most easily confused with the White-winged Duck, the Meller's Duck and the Chubut Steamer Duck.
- Is the Hartlaub's Duck endangered?
- The Hartlaub's Duck is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hartlaub's Duck for real
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