Anas laysanensis

(Rothschild, 1892)

Vernacular names
English : Laysan duck
French : Canard de Laysan

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

Identification
Adults can reach a length of 43 cm for a weight of 548 g. No sexual dimorphism. Plumage color is dark brown with alternating dark and clear brown lines on feathers. Head darker with white area around eyes that may extend to entire head.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to Laysan Island, located in the north-western part of Hawaii archipelago. Lives under vegetation cover near hypersaline lake in central Laysan.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : APPENDIX I
Status : The species is slowly recovering from near extinction because of almost total loss of habitat due to hunting and introduction of rabbits.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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