Basic Information
Scientific classification
- Chinese name: Green-winged Grey-spotted Duck
- Scientific name: Anas capensis, Cape Widgeon
- Classification: Waterfowl
- Family: Anseriformes, Anatidae, Anatidae
Vital signs data
- Body length: 44-48 cm
- Weight: 380-420g
- Lifespan: No verification data available.
Significant features
The bird has a pink beak with a black base. It has red eyes with black eye rings.
Distribution and Habitat
It is distributed in south-central Africa, including the southern Arabian Peninsula and the entire African continent south of the Sahara Desert (Tropic of Cancer).
They inhabit open wetlands.
Appearance
The Green-winged Grey Shelduck measures 44-48 cm in length and has a wingspan of 78-82 cm. Males weigh 420g, and females weigh 380g. The males and females are very similar. They have lighter plumage, mainly grey with a brown back, a pink beak with a black base, and red eyes with black eye rings. These features make them easily identifiable.
Detailed introduction
The Green-winged Grey Shelduck, scientifically known as *Anas capensis*, is a small, aquatic animal that feeds on aquatic plants and small organisms such as invertebrates, crustaceans, and amphibians. Generally quiet, they become quite noisy during the mating season. The male emits a distinct call, to which the female responds with a quacking sound. They rarely congregate in large flocks, but during molting, they can gather in groups of up to 2000. Nests are typically built in areas with abundant ground vegetation or near water sources. The breeding season is from April to July, with nests built in grassy areas along lakeshores and riverbanks, or in low-lying areas with sparse vegetation. Each clutch contains 6–11 eggs, and the incubation period is 21–23 days.
Listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Birds, 2009 ver 3.1.
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