Overview
They have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip. They also have a green speculum with a white border.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Bird
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Anas
- Species
- puna
Habitat
It inhabits freshwater wetlands, preferring palustrine habitat to rivers.
Diet
Feeds primarily on vegetable matter such as seeds and aquatic plants.
Behavior
A pair may bond long term. It lives on fresh water in small groups. Between April and June they prefer reed beds and will lay 6 to 10 creamy-pink eggs. As with swans and geese, both parents will rear the ducklings. A pair may bond long term.
Hunting
Typically hunted with a 12 ga shotgun. Shot size #2-4 is sufficient. Effectively hunted with decoys and calling. Dogs are used for bird retrieval. Steel shot is required for waterfowl in the United States.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.