Wildlifeof Vietnam
Falcated Duck
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Mareca falcata
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
Aquatic plants, seeds, grain and small aquatic animals
Habitat
Shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, flooded fields and slow rivers
Range
Breeds in eastern Siberia, Mongolia, China and Japan; winters in eastern and southern Asia
Clutch size
Usually 6–9 eggs
Incubation period
About 24–26 days
Size
46–54cm
The falcated duck is a gadwall-sized dabbling duck about 46–54 cm long. A breeding male has an iridescent green-and-purple head with a swept-back crest, white throat, finely grey body and long curved black-and-white scapular feathers that create its falcated profile. Females are mottled brown and resemble female gadwalls, but show a darker crown, stronger face pattern and green speculum (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds from eastern Siberia and Mongolia through north-eastern China to Japan, migrating south in winter to eastern and southern Asia, including Vietnam. Flocks use shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, flooded fields and slow rivers, dabbling for aquatic plants, seeds and grain and taking small aquatic animals. The female hides a down-lined nest in dense ground vegetation near water, laying six to nine eggs and incubating for about 24–26 days (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Falcated Duck eat?
- Aquatic plants, seeds, grain and small aquatic animals
- What habitat does the Falcated Duck live in?
- Shallow freshwater lakes, marshes, flooded fields and slow rivers
- Where is the Falcated Duck found?
- Breeds in eastern Siberia, Mongolia, China and Japan; winters in eastern and southern Asia
- How many eggs does the Falcated Duck lay?
- Usually 6–9 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Falcated Duck incubated?
- About 24–26 days
- How big is the Falcated Duck?
- 46–54cm