Pink-eared Duck
Malacorhynchus membranaceus
A distinctive species with fine zebra-striped plumage and a long and shovel-shaped bill giving a fang-like appearance. Typically feeds by swimming in tight circles. Like many waterbirds in inland Australia, it moves around a lot, and can be found in very large numbers when conditions are right.
Taxonomy
The pink-eared duck was first described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801 under the binomial name Anas membranacea. It is the only living member of the genus Malacorhynchus; a closely related, but slightly larger extinct form from New Zealand was described as Scarlett's duck (Malacorhynchus scarletti). This peculiar duck may be most closely related to the shelducks but its relationships are enigmatic. It may be closer to the musk duck and the stiff-tails (Sraml et al. 1996) and, formerly placed in the paraphyletic "perching ducks"; it is in any case not close to the dabbling ducks.<p>This species is the only member of the order Anseriformes known to have carotenoid pigments in its feathers, in the characteristic pink "ear" spot.<p>The pink-eared duck was reportedly known as the New Holland duck by early colonists in Western Australia.
- Scientific name
- Malacorhynchus membranaceus
- Authority
- (Latham, 1801)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Malacorhynchus
Range and habitat
Widely distributed throughout Australia and highly mobile, these ducks can appear anywhere there is standing water, especially in dry inland regions, where annual rainfall rarely exceeds 15 in (380 mm).
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Chatham Islands Snipe
Coenocorypha pusilla
The smallest snipe of New Zealand and the only snipe present on the Chatham Islands. A small, rotund wader with mottled brown and black plumage. Note long bill and pale lower breast and belly. Confined to Mangere, Little Mangere, Rangatira, Rabbit Islands, Star Keys, and sometimes Pitt Island. Found in dense vegetation during the day but more active at night when it moves to more open habitat. Male call is a loud “chup chup” which gradually builds to a “queeyoo queeyoo.” Harsher “chep” alarm call often heard at night. Can be heard at night performing a unique flight display known by the Maori name “hakawai.”
Moluccan Owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles crinifrons
A large owlet-nightjar of lowland and foothill forests. Rufous or dark brown morphs present and also intergrades. Three broad, pale buffy, vertical bands on the chest separated by 2 dark bands. Distinctive white stars on the back and dark arrowhead marks on the chest. The only owlet-nightjar in its range. Call a series of 3 or more descending notes “weuuu we-wu” with the first the longest and downslurred. Sometimes followed by a maniacal cackle.
Malayan Laughingthrush
Trochalopteron peninsulae
Predominantly cinnamon-brown, this attractive laughingthrush also has olive-yellow wings, silvery cheeks and nape, and a thin but bright white eye-ring. Moves actively in pairs or small flocks on or near the ground in the dense undergrowth of montane forests. Gives loud fluid-sounding “chi’rew-bu’wit!”.
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