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MEXICAN DUCK
 BIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MEXICAN DUCK
TAXONOMY
KINGDOM: ANIMALIA
PHYLUM: CHORDATA
SUBPHYLUM: VERTEBRATA
CLASS: BIRDS
ORDER: ANSERIFORMES
FAMILY: ANATIDAE
GENUS: Anas
SPECIES: platyrhynchos
SUBSPECIES: diazi
IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGER DUCKS THERE IS. IT MEASURES FROM 45 TO 50 cm. THEY ARE DARK BROWN WITH PURPLE STRIPES IN THE POSTERIOR PART OF THE WINGS. THEY HAVE THE PEAK AND LEGS ORANGE. IT IS COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH THE BLACK DUCK.
THEY BUILD THEIR NESTS OVER GRASS IN POOLS, MOIST SOILS. IT LAYS FROM 6 TO 9 GREEN EGGS AND THE INCUBATION TIME IS FROM 23 TO 33 DAYS. THEY ONLY REPRODUCE ONCE A YEAR.
THESE DUCKS ARE COMPLETELY FEATHERED AT THEIR 58 TO 63 DAYS OLD.
THESE DUCKS ARE CALLED WHEAT EATERS BECAUSE OF THEIR EATING HABITS. THEY CAN ALSO FEED ON AQUATIC INVERTEBRATES IN SMALLER QUANTITIES.
THEY LIVE IN MOIST SOILS, POOLS, DAMS AND IT IS COMMON TO SEE THEM IN THE DRAINS USED FOR AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION, HERE IN THE REGION.
THEIR DISTRIBUTION GOES FROM TEXAS TO THE CENTRAL PART OF MEXICO.
THESE DUCKS ARE CONSIDERED LOCALS BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE TO OBSERVE THEM DURING THE ENTIRE YEAR. (BELLROSE, 1976) (GOUGH, 1998)
CHRONOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN DUCK
MONTHS
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ACTIVITY
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J
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F
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M
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A
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M
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J
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J
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A
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S
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O
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N
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D
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COURTSHIP
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X
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X
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X
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X
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X
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NESTING
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X
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X
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X
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