Laysan Duck

Overview

Laysan Duck: Also called Laysan Teal and endemic to Laysan Island, is brown with patches of white feathers around eye, green-glossed head and neck with variable white feathers. Speculum may appear green, purple, or blue. Dark gray bill with variable black markings. Dull orange legs and feet.

Range and Habitat

Laysan Duck: Endemic to Laysan Island, they prefer land and mud flats but do spend time in shallow water. They were once near extinction but the population is now stable at roughly 600 birds. About 100 birds have been introduced to Midway Atoll in hopes of establishing a new colony.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Laysan Duck is sometimes called the Laysan Teal due to its small size. In 1912 the population consisted of 7 adults and 5 juveniles on Laysan Island. Today there are around 650 individuals. 42 ducks were relocated to Midway Atoll in 2004 and 2005 in an effort to have a second population in the wild. There are now over 100 ducks living there. A group of ducks has many collective nouns, including a "brace", "flush", "paddling", "raft", and "team" of ducks.