French: Tadorne de paradis German: Paradieskasarka Spanish: Tarro maorí
J. F. Gmelin
Dusky Bay, New Zealand
North I, South I and Stewart I, New Zealand.
63–71 cm; male 1420–1980 g, female 1059–1700 g. Upperwing characteristic in flight with white on coverts, dark primaries and iridescent green secondaries as... read more
Various vocalizations have been described: male most commonly gives goose-like honking, which tends... read more
Occupies a diversity of habitats, from coasts and estuaries to mountain streams, river flats,... read more
Food and feeding
Highly adaptable to both animal and vegetarian diet, but considered to be primarily herbivorous; greener parts of grasses, herbs and sedges... read more
Starts in late Jul/early Aug, sometimes later until Oct (especially among first-time breeders), although birds begin to reassemble on their... read more
Mainly sedentary, with only small-scale movements reported and some evidence that males are prone... read more
Status and conservation
Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Generally widespread, with scattered populations; overall population of c. 120,000 birds in 1981, but had increased to c. 300,000 in... read more
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