pato de cabeza verde

1. Nombre del ave

Commonly known as the Green-headed Duck, the scientific name of this species is Anas platyrhynchos diazi.

2. Aspecto

As the name would suggest, the Green-headed Duck has a characteristic metallic green head, which provides a striking contrast to its white-collar and chestnut-colored body. Its beak is yellow, broad, and slightly flattened. Its wings, marked by a blue speculum outlined in white, have white and black stripes on the edges. This characteristic male plumage differentiates it from the females, which have a more dull brownish-black feather with dark streaks and a dark brown bill to match.

3. Tamaño

On average, Green-headed Ducks are around 50-65 cm (20-26 inches) in length. Their wingspan measures from 81 to 98 cm (32 to 39 inches). Talking about their average weight, males typically weigh around 1-1.4 kg while females weigh slightly less, between 0.9 to 1.2 kg.

4. Hábitat y distribución

Green-headed Ducks are native to North America, but their range extends to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They are versatile birds, found in a variety of habitats including lakes, ponds, marshes, and rivers. During migration, they can also be found in coastal areas, estuaries, and bays.

5. Datos de interés

The Green-headed Duck is a dabbling duck, this means they feed in the water by ducking their head below the surface while their tail feathers remain visible above the water. Fascinatingly, they rarely dive, unlike other duck species. Also, Green-headed ducks are known for their longer migration flights, covering distances of up to 800 km in a single day during migration seasons.

6. Dieta

The diet of Green-headed Ducks is omnivorous – they feed on a blend of plants and small invertebrates. Their diet usually includes seeds, roots of aquatic plants, small fish, insects, and even snails.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos

Green-headed Ducks are notable for their social behavior, often seen in pairs or small groups. In flight, they seem fast and straight, typically in a regular line or a “V” formation. They have a variety of calls; the male’s notable being a quiet “breep” while females have a loud quack.

8. Estado de conservación

As per the IUCN Red List, Green-headed Ducks are listed as a species of ‘Least Concern.’ They are one of the most common and widespread ducks, with a global population estimated to be around 19 million individuals.

9. Vida útil

The average lifespan of a Green-headed Duck in the wild is roughly 5-10 years. However, in captivity, they can live up to 20 years or more considering a safe and proper environment.

10. Notas adicionales

Interestingly, Green-headed Ducks also have their presence in popular culture. The bird’s character “Daffy” in the famous Looney Tunes cartoons is a Green-headed Duck. The Green-headed Duck plays an important role in ecosystems by contributing to maintaining the balance, primarily through their feeding habits which aid in vegetation control and insect population regulation. They are generally amicable with humans, often feeding in urban and suburban areas where food is readily available.