Scientific Name:
Anas acuta
Distribution
Most of Nearctic and Palearctic zone. In winter S to N South America, Africa and S & E Asia.
Diet:
Omnivorous - seeds, tubers (potatoes), aquatic plants and sedges, aquatic invertebrates, such as insects, molluscs, crustaceans, amphibians and small fish.
Facts
Habitat: shallow wetlands of fresh, brackish or salt waters, rice-fields.
Incubation: 21-25 days / 7-9 eggs
Social structure: pairs, loose groups, large flocks.
Weight: male max 1kgr, female max 0,8kg
Dimensions: max 66cm, wing span: max 95cm
Lifespan: 22
Estimated population in the wild: 5,300,000-5,400,000
Threats: Wetland habitat degradation and loss, hunting.
IUCN status: Least concern
Did you know that:
- During courtship the male swims around the female whistling with the head above the water and the tail raised, in order to impress her. The mating is done in the water.
- In Greece it is a common winter visitor and spring migrant.