The New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) commonly known as a black teal, is a diving duck species of the genus Aythya. It is endemic to New Zealand. In Maori commonly known as papango, also matapouri, titiporangi, raipo.
Distribution It is found throughout both the North and South Islands of New Zealand in deep freshwater lakes and ponds. Unlike other members of this genus, the scaup is not migratory, although it does move to open water from high country lakes if they become frozen in winter.
Range map from www.oiseaux.net - Ornithological Portal Oiseaux.net
www.oiseaux.netis one of those MUST visit pages if you're in to bird watching. You can find just about everything there
Description Overall dark brown/black colors. The male has a striking yellow eye and a dark colored (greenish) head. The female is similar to the male, but without the yellow eye and has a white face patch during breeding season. A white wing bar can be seen in both sexes when in flight.
Listen to the New Zealand scaup
Five birds on lake, Lake Okataina Rotorua, January 1970, 1935, William Ward, McPherson Natural History Unit Sound Archive, www.archivebirdsnz.com
Sound from http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Listen to the New Zealand scaup
Adult female calling quietly to 4 dependent ducklings (silvereye and other species in background), Harts Creek Lake Ellesmere, December 2012, 7.57am, Nicholas Allen, Nicholas Allen
Sound from http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz
Feeding The scaup is a diving duck which may submerge for twenty to thirty seconds and go down three metres to look for aquatic plants, small fish, water snails, mussels and insects. It is sometimes seen with the Australian coot (Fulica atra); it is thought that the scaup takes advantage of the food stirred up by the coots as they fossick for shrimps.
Life cycle They nest from October to March. They lay five to eight cream/white eggs in a nest close to water, often under banks or thick cover. The nest is usually lined with grass and down. The eggs are incubated for four weeks by the female. The newly hatched ducklings begin diving for food on their first outing.
Sighted: 27 September 2017 Location: Auckland, Outdoor Gallery, Auckland Airport
New Zealand Scaup - Aythya novaeseelandiae - 27 September 2017 - Auckland
Going bird watching on New Zealand? I have been to a few places but so far New Zealand is outstanding regarding information on the internet. There are two organizations that are stickingout so far when it comes to information about birds and wildlife/ outdoor living. Bird information, bird song and maps. Yes, there are excellent trekking maps online so you can plan, or go back after the trek to see where you have been, excellent. I have not been disappointed.
• New Zealand's Department of Conservationwww.doc.govt.nzClick on “Nature” or just hoover with the mouse over the “Nature”
Many other places I have been to have excellent maps on site, but trying to find them onlinerendering nothing but disappointments. The New Zealand's Department of Conservation is the ONE STOP ONLY for everything regarding outdoor activities on New Zealand.
New Zealand Birds Online, there is everything you ever wish to know about the birds on New Zealand. Nothing less than fantastic. ClickHEREto down load Checklist of the birds of NZ from New Zealand Birds Online web pagenzbirdsonline.org.nz
One of the best web pages I have ever seen when it comes to birding. All the information you can ever ask for and a ONE STOP for all your needs before going bird watching on New Zealand. Range maps, sounds, information and bird lists, everything you need.
PLEASE! If I have made any mistakes identifying any bird, PLEASE let me know on my guestbook
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