Meller's Duck

(Anas melleri)


Facts

Meller's Duck IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)

 

Facts about this animal

The Meller’s Duck is a medium sized dabbling duck with a body weight of about 1 kg.

Outside the breeding period, the Meller’s duck is usually found in pairs or small parties of 4-12 birds, although occasionally larger congregations may be observed. It becomes highly territorial during the breeding season which lasts from September to April. Nesting occurs in a tuft of herbaceous vegetation (e.g. papyrus) at the water's edge especially along small streams and backwaters around lakes. 5-10 yellowish-white eggs are laid and incubated by the female alone for 27-29 days.

The Meller’s duck feeds on aquatic seeds and plants.

Did you know?
that the Meller's duck is one of only four species of dabbling duck (genus Anas) resident in Madagascar, including the Madagascar Teal A. bernieri, Red-billed Pintail A. erythrorhyncha, Hottentot Teal A. hottentota and Meller’s Duck A. melleri? Of these, A. bernieri and A. melleri are endemic.


 

Factsheet
Class AVES
Order ANSERIFORMES
Suborder ANSERES
Family ANATIDAE
Name (Scientific) Anas melleri
Name (English) Meller's Duck
Name (French) Canard de Meller
Name (German) Madagaskar-Ente
Name (Spanish) Anade malgache
CITES Status Not listed
CMS Status Appendix II (as Anatidae spp.)

 

 

Photo Copyright by
Sarefo

Distribution

 


Distribution
Range Found in the east and on the high plateau of Madagascar, and Mauritius
Habitat Largely restricted to freshwater wetlands, such as lakes, rivers, streams, woodland ponds and marshes, especially in humid forested areas but also in rice-fields.
Wild population 2,000 - 5,000 (Birdlife International)
Zoo population 83 reported to ISIS

In the Zoo

Meller's Duck

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 18 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

Find this animal on ZooLex

 

Photo Copyright by
BS Thurner Hof

Why do zoos keep this animal

The Meller’s duck is an endangered species, and coordinated breeding by zoos will result in the establishment and maintenance of a viable ex-situ reserve population.

Not much is known about the Meller’s duck in the wild, and most of our knowledge is based on birds kept at zoos.