New Zealand Teal (Pateke)

Description:

Body length to 35cms. Feeding on aquatic invertebrates and crustaceans. Conservation Status: ENDANGERED

Habitat:

Cruising a saltwater inlet. Coromandel Town, New Zealand

Notes:

New Zealand's most endangered mainland waterfowl, there are fewer than 2000 Pateke remaining on Great Barrier Island and in parts of the North Island. Last century they could be found in almost every lowland wetland throughout the country but wetland drainage has driven Brown Teal to the edge of extinction. Ducks Unlimited's "Operation Pateke" is helping to save this shy secretive species through research, release of captive bred birds and habitat conservation.