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Welsh Harlequin Duck
Domesticated |
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Anas platyrhynchos |
This duck originated from a color sport in the Khaki Campbell breed. It is a light breed layer of white or greenish eggs that was developed in 1949, not surprisingly in Wales.
Interesting Information
Welsh Harlequins are good layers (like their forebears), produce a lean carcass, and are good foragers.
Welsh Harlequins may be more vulnerable to predators such as birds of prey because of their light coloration.
Description
Adult Description
Size: 51-76 cm (20-30 in)
Weight: 2-2.25 kg (4.5 - 5lbs)
Medium-sized duck.
Long, thin neck.
Pointed tail, extremely long in males.
Male with white chest, white stripe up neck, and dark reddish brown head.
Long, narrow wings.
Sex Differences
Female
Females have a greenish black beak, and their plumage is a creamy white color with brown stippling, with brown wings edged with white.
Male
Drakes are similar to a faded Mallard with a yellow beak.
Habitat |
Nests in open country with shallow, seasonal wetlands and low vegetation. Winters in wide variety of shallow inland freshwater and intertidal habitats. |
Behavior |
Picks food from surface of ground. Dabbles, filter-feeds at surface of water, tips-up in shallow water. |
Food |
Grain, seeds, weeds, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and snails. |
Taxonomy
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Anseriformes |
Family: | Anatidae |
Subfamily: | Anserinae |
Genus: | Anas |
Species: | Anas platyrhynchos |
Subspecies: | Anas platyrhynchos domesticus |
Similar Species |
None |