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Mauritius Duck

Anas theodori

Extinct

Famille

Anatidae

Ordre

Anseriformes

À propos

An extinct duck known from subfossil bones found on Mauritius and Réunion. Closely related to the Grey Teal. Went extinct after European settlement of the Mascarene Islands in the 17th century due to hunting and introduced predators.

Identification

Plumage

Extinct Mascarene duck known only from subfossil bones. Plumage unrecorded; presumably brown dabbling duck plumage typical of Anas. Likely flightless or near-flightless; extirpated after European settlement of Mauritius.

Habitat & Range

Historically restricted to the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Réunion) in the Indian Ocean. Now extinct. Presumably inhabited freshwater wetlands and coastal areas before human colonization.

🏖️ Coastal

Répartition géographique

Breeds in Arctic tundra ponds of Canada; winters along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the southern United States.

Diet & Feeding

Extinct; fed on freshwater invertebrates and aquatic plants; diet inferred from bill morphology and contemporary accounts.

Statut de conservation

Extinct

IUCN Red List

Son

Chant

Extinct (EX). No recordings exist. As a small island Anas duck, likely produced a quiet quacking call. Closest living relatives among insular Indian Ocean teals give soft, nasal notes.

Taxonomie

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Ordre	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Famille	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Anas
Espèces	Anas theodori

External Databases

Foire aux questions

What does the Mauritius Duck eat?

Extinct; fed on freshwater invertebrates and aquatic plants; diet inferred from bill morphology and contemporary accounts.

Where does the Mauritius Duck live?

Historically restricted to the Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Réunion) in the Indian Ocean. Now extinct. Presumably inhabited freshwater wetlands and coastal areas before human colonization.

Is the Mauritius Duck endangered?

The Mauritius Duck has a conservation status of Extinct.

What does the Mauritius Duck sound like?

Extinct (EX). No recordings exist. As a small island Anas duck, likely produced a quiet quacking call. Closest living relatives among insular Indian Ocean teals give soft, nasal notes.

What order and family does the Mauritius Duck belong to?

The Mauritius Duck (Anas theodori) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.