White-Faced Tree Duck
Dendrocygna viduata
The white-faced tree duckis a sexually monomorphic species of duck that is found throughout tropical regions of the Old and New World (Phillips). This tree duck is a medium sized duck with a white face and throat. The back part of its neck is black, and where it meets the back the color changes to chestnut. The sides of the bird have black and white barring (Delacour). Hollow trees, as well as ground sites, are utilized for nest sites, and both male and female share in incubation duties (Soothill)> The incubation period ranges from 28 to 30 days (Delacour).
Captivity
This species is very long-lived in captivity. In the northern areas, however, it is imperative that they are protected from the cold during winter months. If the birds are left in the cold they will freeze their webs and possibly their entire foot. Severe frostbite, more frequently than not, will kill a bird. White-faced tree ducks, although sometimes reluctant to breed in captivity, commence laying anywhere from April to August in North America. They will utilize various types of nest boxes, (such as raised or ground), or will lay on the ground in thick vegetation. |
|
|