It is a duck-like teal from East Asia. Males stand out thanks to their iridescent heads that flash green and copper; their silvery bodies with noticeable scalloping; their extraordinarily long, curved tertials; their long, pale scapulars; and their triangular, white neck patches that are bordered in dark green. Although they have a black bill, brownish females resemble female Gadwalls. It breeds in northern interior marshes and spends the winters in flocks with other ducks on rivers, lakes, and coastal wetlands. As much as 30% of the populations of the near-threatened falcated duck (Anas falcata), a globally vulnerable Anatidae species, were maintained by the National Nature Reserves in eastern China (IUCN, 2009). The National Nature Reserves are home to around 27% of falcated duck species.
Falcated Duck Specifications
Falcated Duck ID
The female falcated duck is dark brown in colour and has wigeon-like plumage. Identification is made easier by its lengthy grey bill. The male eclipse is similar to the female but has a darker back and head. Both sexes have a light gray underwing when flying. A white bar frames the speculum's dark-coloured border on its inner edge. Young birds have shorter tertials and are less buffered than females.
Young birds have feathers that resemble those of the species' females, except while on mating grounds, these ducks are generally quiet.
