Blue Duck
A species of Blue Duck Scientific name : Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos Genus : Blue Duck
Blue Duck, A species of Blue Duck
Botanical name: Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Genus: Blue Duck
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Photo By Francesco Veronesi , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The blue duck is 53 to 54 cm (21–21 in) long and varies in weight by sex. Females are smaller than males, weighing 680–870 g (24–31 oz), whereas the males weigh 820–1,077 g (28.9–38.0 oz). The plumage is a dark slate-grey with a greenish sheen on the head, a chestnut-flecked breast. The outer secondaries are tipped with white and the inner ones have black margins. The plumage of the two sexes are mostly the same, although the female has slightly less chestnut in the chest. The pinkish-white bill has fleshy flaps of skin hanging from the sides of its tip. The blue duck hatches with a green beak for just 8 hours after hatching; after which it then develops its final colour. 
Size
54 cm
Colors
Brown
Black
Gray
Life Expectancy
7 years
Feeding Habits
Blue Duck predominantly eats aquatic invertebrates, favoring caddisfly larvae. Occasionally blue Duck also consumes berries and shrub fruits. Blue Duck forages by dabbling in fast-flowing rivers, a unique dietary preference among ducks.
Habitat
The blue Duck thrives in temperate, clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams, typically on steep gradients within well-vegetated, forested areas. These environments are often situated at elevations between 82 to 1050 meters, featuring physical stability, narrow channels, and a high presence of native riparian forest. Occasionally, blue Duck may be found at alpine tarns and lakes or, rarely, in estuarine zones, though breeding is not common in these locales. For roosting, blue Duck favors stable undercut banks and log jams, often where large woody debris is present. While generally associated with the mountainous regions, they do not typically inhabit urban areas, grasslands, or widespread wetlands.
Dite type
Aquatic invertebrate eater
People often ask
General Info
Behavior
This species is an endemic resident breeder in New Zealand, nesting in hollow logs, small caves and other sheltered spots. It is a rare duck, holding territories on fast flowing mountain rivers. It is a powerful swimmer even in strong currents, but is reluctant to fly. It is difficult to find, but not particularly wary when located.
Species Status
ENDANGERED. Previously considered Near Threatened, as numbers very reduced and declining.
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