Anas erythrorhyncha

(Gmelin, 1789)

Vernacular names
English : Red-billed duck
French : Canard à bec rouge

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a body length of 48 cm for a weight of 950 g. No sexual dimorphism. Bright dark red bill with black spot on upper mandible. Black head with light beige cheeks. Light grey-beige body with black spotting. Dark brown wings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in most of the southern half of Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia to South Africa. Also found in Madagascar. Lives in freshwater wetlands with shallow waters and abundant vegetation.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species common to locally abundant although some populations (Madagascar) are declining because of habitat loss and overhunting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Ducks, swans and relatives” page