8. RELUCTANT FLYERS
pateke nest every year in swamp, dense forest
ground cover, canopy covered streams and shallow
vegetated wetlands. their reluctance to fly makes the
nest vulnerable to predators.
this is the brown teals habitat. they live on river edge. they like lazy rivers so that they can glide across the water.\n
Stoats are the the greatest threat as they attack the females on the nest, they steal eggs and take ducklings on river edge.\n
Males are slightly larger and heavier than the females. Males average weight is 620-700g and females are 530-600g.\n When there breeding both males and female look alike.they have a distinctive whitish narrow ring around each eye, with there head, face and throat a speckled brown. During breeding the males have a colourful chestnut chest, a shiny green head and a white ring around the eye.\n females have speckled brown feathers. Our beak is our most unique feature. We have a special strong lamellae that helps us sieve through material quickly for food\n
Hunting and disease have also affected the ducks. The continued survival of the species is therefore largely dependent on the protection of key sites and increasing the number of population strong-hold. \n
pateke nest every year in swamp, dense forest ground cover, canopy covered streams and shallow vegetated wetlands. their reluctance to fly makes the nest vulnerable to predators.\n