white duck
- Anas plathyrhynchos domesticus
- Flamingo Lagoon
Do not be surprised if you see a remarkable white duck waddling past on your hike through tropical Pantropica. The white call duck always looks like it has just been washed due to its spotless white coat of feathers. This is not a coincidence, as this duck devotes a lot of time to grooming its feathers. In the past, these white feathers made the white call ducks a favourite. They were used as decoys in duck cages: their loud calls would reassure other ducks and lure them into the cage. It was easy for the duck keeper to recognise his white helpers after a day of hard work and to reward them with a tasty treat.
Ringed teals
- Callonetta leucophrys
- Flamingo Lagoon & Amazonia
After a refreshing swim, the ringed teal loves to relax on a tree trunk or little bridge. However, when resting, this duck generates much less heat than when it is swimming. To avoid losing body heat, the ringed teal must use its innate gift. It can namely stand on one leg, just like a flamingo. It keeps the other leg close to its body to minimise the heat loss. In addition, it covers its head with one of its wings. This allows the ringed teal to dream peacefully about its swimming adventures underneath its very own blanket.
maned goose
- Chenonetta jubata
- Flamingo Lagoon
Are you seeing a bird that walks upright, eats grass, and prefers to walk rather than swim? You might be convinced that you are seeing a goose. But no, this is the maned goose. In spite of its name, it is a duck. While other ducks happily dive into the water, it prefers to stay on land. It strikingly walks around upright when in open landscapes with a lot of grass and small patches of forest. It fully behaves like a goose, but it really is a member of the duck family according to scientists
mandarin duck
- Aix galericulata
- Flamingo Lagoon
The mandarin duck feels at home along rivers and small lakes with dense riverine vegetation, but lives differently from many other duck species: high in the trees, where it makes its nest in hidden cavities. That’s when something incredible happens. Barely hatched, the young ducks drop from the tree without fear. They land on the ground unharmed and immediately waddle after their mother, as if such a free fall is the most normal thing in the world.
Carolina duck
- Aix sponsa
- Flamingo Lagoon
The wood duck or Carolina duck never needs to fear a downpour. It namely creates its own raincoat. It coats its feathers with a thin layer of oil by thoroughly brushing them. This causes water to run down the feathers without making them wet, heavy or cold. This allows it to stay afloat as if it is wearing a waterproof coat. This natural coat comes in pretty handy on the peaceful lakes and ponds filled with aquatic plants, in which he loves to swim looking for food.
pintail
- Anas acuta
- Flamingo Lagoon
You can see it immediately by its long pointy tail: the pintail does not like to sit still. This duck is a real migratory bird that travels through the air in large groups, long strings or V formation. In the spring, it broods in areas with shallow water. But as soon as the winter’s there and it becomes colder, it packs up and flies to warmer places. During its voyage, it looks for open landscapes with shallow water, where it can forage for seeds and aquatic plants.
