Hartlaub's Duck
Pteronetta hartlaubii
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<birdfyi-bird slug="pteronetta-hartlaubii"></birdfyi-bird>Unlike most ducks, Hartlaub's Duck (Pteronetta hartlaubii) is a forest bird, living singly or in pairs along shaded rainforest streams, forest pools and swamps from Guinea and Sierra Leone east through the Congo Basin to Uganda and western Kenya. It is large and dark chocolate-brown, with white patches at the side of the head, a pale blue-grey inner forewing and grey legs; males carry a dark blue frontal shield running back from the bill. The species requires undisturbed riverine forest with shaded water and remains one of the least-studied ducks in Africa. Clutches hold seven to eleven eggs, and the voice, a low nasal quack, is quieter than that of other perching ducks. Recorded birds average about 910 g.
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About
A large dark duck with a chestnut-brown body, dark head and neck, pale blue speculum, and bright red base to the bill in males. Found in tropical African rainforest streams and forest swamps. One of Africa's least-studied ducks. Lives singly or in pairs in shaded forest waterways.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 53.4 cm | 21.0 in |
| Weight | 910.0 g | 32.10 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark chocolate-brown body; white patches at side of head distinctive. Males have dark blue frontal shield extending from bill. Wings show pale blue-gray inner forewing. Legs gray. West African forest streams specialist.
Habitat & Range
Tropical rainforest streams, forest pools, and shaded swamps from Guinea and Sierra Leone east through the Congo Basin to Uganda and western Kenya. Requires undisturbed riverine forest with shaded water.
Geographic Range
Breeds in wetlands across Eurasia; winters from Africa and the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia.
Diet & Feeding
Eats seeds, aquatic invertebrates, and plant matter; dabbles in ponds and marshes; diet more invertebrate-heavy in breeding season.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Incubation: 30-32 days. Fledging: 56 days.
Clutch Size
7-11
Sound
Song
A low, nasal 'quack' and soft 'kek-kek'. Generally quieter than other perching ducks. Calls from dense Central and West African rainforest where it is rarely observed.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Pteronetta |
| Species | Pteronetta hartlaubii |
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hartlaub's Duck eat?
Where does the Hartlaub's Duck live?
Is the Hartlaub's Duck endangered?
How does the Hartlaub's Duck nest?
What does the Hartlaub's Duck sound like?
How big is the Hartlaub's Duck?
What order and family does the Hartlaub's Duck belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family