By notatroll - 7 Apr 2015 1:40 PM
I'm a big fan of the Laysan Duck.
Sadly endangered
It is teal-sized and dark brown, with a prominent white eye-ring. The bill is short and spatulate, dark green with variable black blotching in males, and dull orange with variable black blotching in females. The Laysan duck usually has a ring of fat around its neck. Some males show faint iridescence on the head or neck and have slightly upturned central tail feathers.
The persistence of the Laysan duck into the future is optimistic, though threats to the population remain. Threats include the introduction of non-native species, which may change vital rates, displace native species and adversely affect nesting and foraging opportunities. Devastation to vegetation could increase sedimentation of the lakes and seeps that serve as important foraging habitat. Human disturbance may impact nesting and brooding, and landing permits to the Laysan Island refuge are granted only for official or scientific purposes. Debris and contaminants washed ashore by ocean currents could pose a serious threat to the duck. Pesticide containers and oil spills have contaminated Laysan in the past. The island homes of the duck are especially vulnerable to a rise in sea level and extreme weather associated with global warming.
If basic criteria of the recovery plan are met, the Laysan duck could be down-listed from endangered to threatened by 2019.
I pray daily that the Laysan will soon be a common Duck to be viewed all over North America.
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By notatroll - 8 Apr 2015 10:43 AM
scotty21 wrote:notatroll wrote:paladisious wrote:Heineken wrote: :oops: Opps! Wrong thread...  Brilliant. Yep Heiney wins the thread
The Laysan Duck wins this thread. Heiny is a notable VIP now to the next Laysan Duck Convention
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