Falcated Duck Bird Details
Mareca falcata
Falcated Duck,Falcated Teal;
Falsate Batakh
Johann Gottlieb Georgi, 1775
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Mareca
Russia, China, Mongolia, and Japan, southern and eastern China, Taiwan, South Korea, and India(Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh).
Appearance :
The male Falcated Duck is strikingly beautiful with an iridescent green head and a distinctive metallic purple sheen on the crown and throat. The body is mostly gray with black and white vermiculations. The name "falcated" refers to the sickle-shaped feathers on the back and wings that curve elegantly. The female is less colorful, with mottled brown plumage similar to other female dabbling ducks, although a bit more speckled.
Behaviour :
Falcated Ducks are dabbling ducks, feeding on the surface of the water or tipping forward to feed on submerged plants. They are generally quiet but can produce soft whistles or quacking sounds. They are often seen in pairs or small groups and sometimes join mixed-species flocks during migration or winter.
Habitat :
These ducks prefer shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with plenty of vegetation. They are also found in wetland areas and floodplains during migration.
Diet :
The diet consists mainly of aquatic plants, seeds, and grasses, but they also consume small invertebrates like insects, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Conservation Status :
Near Threatened
Distribution :
The Falcated Duck has a breeding range that extends across parts of East Asia, particularly in Siberia, Mongolia, northeastern China, and Japan. It migrates south during winter.
Population Size :
he global population is estimated to be around 35,000 to 45,000 individuals.
Life Span :
Falcated Ducks can live up to 10-12 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Falcate Duck is a medium-sized dabbling duck, with an elegant body shape and long, falcate (curved) feathers that give it a unique appearance.
- Tarsus Length: Approximately 3.5–4.5 cm.
Head And Bill :
- Head: Male has iridescent green head with a purple sheen, especially noticeable during the breeding season. Female has Brown and mottled, similar to other female dabbling ducks, providing camouflage.
- Bill: Slate grey or blackish.
- Bill Length: Around 4–5 cm.
Length :
Ranges from 45–54 cm (18–21 inches).
Neck :
The neck is moderately long, allowing the bird to dabble and forage easily in the water.
Size :
Medium-sized duck, similar in size to the Gadwall.
Tail Details :
- Tail: pointed central tail feathers, especially prominent in males.
- Tail Length: About 8–10 cm,.
- Feathers: The male's body plumage is striking with silver-gray vermiculation, green and purple head feathers, and long falcate (curved) tertials. The female's feathers are more subdued, with mottled brown plumage for camouflage.
Weight :
Weighs between 500 to 900 grams (1.1 to 2 pounds).
Wing :
The wings are long and pointed, well-adapted for long migratory flights.
Wing Span :
Ranges from 75–86 cm (29–34 inches).
Facial Feature :
Males have a distinctive green head with a smooth transition to their pale gray body, while females have a plainer face with mottled brown patterns.
Nest Details :
- Nest: The nest is typically a shallow depression in the ground, located near water and hidden among vegetation.
- Nest Made Up Of: Lined with grasses, reeds, and down feathers plucked from the female’s breast.
Breeding Season :
Breeding begins in late spring, usually around May to July.
Nesting Season :
Nests are built during the summer, primarily from June to August.
Egg Color :
The eggs are pale cream or buff in color.
Egg Length :
About 5.5–6 cm.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Around 3.7–4.2 cm.
- Egg Weight: Each egg weighs approximately 50–60 grams.
Clutch Size :
6 to 10 eggs.
No. of Broods :
Typically, one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
The incubation period lasts for about 24–28 days.
Nestling Period :
They are fully fledged at around 45–55 days.
Vocalization :
Males produce soft whistling sounds during courtship, while females emit quiet quacks.
Sex Demorphism :
Males are much more colorful, with iridescent green and purple on the head and falcate tertials, while females are mottled brown for camouflage.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Falcate Ducks are migratory. They breed in northern regions and migrate southward for the winter.
- Migration Period: Autumn migration typically begins in September and extends through November. Spring migration occurs from March to May.
- Migration Route: They breed in northeastern Asia (Siberia, northeastern China, and Japan) and migrate to southern and eastern Asia during winter. Wintering grounds include southern China, Taiwan, South Korea, and occasionally northern India.