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Ring-necked Duck,
Aythya collaris.
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Class: Birds
Order: Screamers, Swans, Geese and Ducks
Family: Swans, Geese and Ducks
Subfamily: Ducks
Tribe: Scaups and Pochards
Species found along the Rideau River:
Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup, Lesser Scaup
Characteristics of the family:
Scaups and pochards are diving ducks. The legs are set far back on
the body and the hind toe has a paddle-like flap. There is no iridescent
patch on the wings.
Interesting facts:
These ducks dive well but must run along the water to take off.
| Description |
When
the adult male is in breeding plumage, the head is black that
is glossed with purple. Back, breast and tail are black with
a white belly. Eyes are yellow. Females are greyish-brown. |
| Size |
35
cm to 50 cm from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. |
| Distribution |
Canada
and much of the United States. Winters mainly from the southern
United States down to Mexico, Guatemala and the West Indies. |
| Habitat |
Mainly
in shallow fresh waters of marshes and bogs. In migration, it
is found in rivers and large lakes. |
| Food |
Aquatic
plants and seeds, insect larvae, molluscs, worms, crustaceans. |
| Life
cycle |
Females
lay 6 to 14 eggs on vegetation at the edge of the water. The
female selects the area to build the nest. Incubation lasts
25 to 29 days. |
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