The Whio, which is the Maori name for the Blue Duck, is an endangered species of duck to New Zealand. Sadly it is endangered because of being hunted down and killed by many different species of introduced animals.
Physical Features:
Whio have webbed feet to help them swim gracefully through the rushing water of streams or rivers. Having an upper bill makes it easy for them to scrape off small insect larve that cling to the slipper rocks underwater. The females are 800g in weight, however the male is slightly heavier and adds up to 1kg which means it is larger and more dominant that the female. Their blue waterproof feathers molt in between May and December just like a dog sheds its hair. Scarlet red feathers cover their chest to keep them warm and the males push them out to show off to the females.
Habitat:
The Whio is one of the 159 birds in the world that can live in fast flowing water! They like to live in rivers or streams up high in the mountains where there is very high river quality. Warm waterproof feathers make sure that they don't get cold and can get on with their life. Coming out at late evening or at the crack of dawn helps them camouflage with their navy coloured feathers.
Diet:
Whio eat a whole range of different foods, some in water, and some out. Every now and then the Whio will get out of the water and pick off small berries off thin branches to feast on. Cicadas are another Blue Duck treat that they can find crawling around on trees or bushes. Larve and fresh water invertabre cling onto rocks underwater, just like a birthday present waiting to be opened by the Whio and slip into their mouths.
Threats & Predators:
The Whio has lots of different threats and predators because of its small size and it is completely deffenceless. Different predators have different tactics. For example stoats, ferrats and weasals steal the Whio's eggs and take them away to eat them just like they are theives! Possums, domestic dogs and feral cats are different though because they sneak out at night, while the Whio is sleeping and attack!
Summary:
It is very sad that our beautiful Whio is nearly extinct, but happily Whio population numbers are going up slowly! An awesome fact is that Orana Park are letting 12 captive Whio let go into the wild!
By Nina.
Threats & Predators:
The Whio has lots of different threats and predators because of its small size and it is completely deffenceless. Different predators have different tactics. For example stoats, ferrats and weasals steal the Whio's eggs and take them away to eat them just like they are theives! Possums, domestic dogs and feral cats are different though because they sneak out at night, while the Whio is sleeping and attack!
Summary:
It is very sad that our beautiful Whio is nearly extinct, but happily Whio population numbers are going up slowly! An awesome fact is that Orana Park are letting 12 captive Whio let go into the wild!
By Nina.
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