Hawaiian duck
By L.F.
Description
- endangered species due to mating with mallard ducks and loss of habitat
- length for males is 19-20 inches females are 16-17 inches (wikipedia)
- weight for males are 21-26 oz females are 18-23 oz (wikipedia)
- covered in feathers to stay warm
- communicates by quacking
Food chain and habitat
- lives off of fresh water vegetation
- feeds on mollusks, insects, and other aquatic invertebrates
- find food in freshwater, ponds, and other waters
- are omnivores because they eat vegetation, insects, and mollusks
- hunt insects hiding or floating in water then catches it with its beak
Adaption
- live in the Hawaiian islands
- islands include Hawaii, Oahu, and Maui
- environmental terrain includes coastal swamp, fresh water ponds, flooded grasslands, marshes, lakes, etc.
- live in sunny climates and warm water
- home is a nest made of sticks
Reasons for endangerment and critical information
- main cause for endangerment is mating with mallard ducks which results in hybrids that can't adapt to their habitat
- humans are taking the habitat which the ducks need for survival
- pigs, dogs, cats, and mongoose attack their nests and eat their babies
- many of their eggs are eaten by bullfrogs and bass
- they don't understand that they should not mate with mallard ducks
- owners of hawaiian ducks or mallard ducks need to be educated on how to take care of their ducks and keep them from leaving their property
- bigger efforts need to be made to protect hawaiian ducks and their wetland habitats
Thanks for listening!