| Duck, Laysan | |||
| Genus | Anas | ||
| Species | laysanensis | ||
| Status | Endangered | ||
| Number Left | Today, the Laysan duck population goes up and down between a high of 600 and a low of 200 birds. No one is sure why this animal has such wild population swings. There are about 150 ducks living and breeding in captivity. | ||
| Habitat | Island | ||
| Distribution | United States (Hawaii - Laysan Island) | ||
| Length | 15-17 inches (38-43 cm) | ||
| Weight | 1 pound (0.45 kg) | ||
| Behavior | The Laysan duck likes to wade across shallow ponds, looking for food. | ||
| Diet | Insects, flies, and tiny forms of marine life. | ||
| Conservation |
Thousands of years ago, the Laysan duck arrived on the Hawaiian Islands, where it thrived because it had no natural enemies. When Europeans began settling the islands, they brought foreign animals with them, and the dogs, cats, and mongooses killed many of these ducks. In addition, farm animals, like goats, pigs, and rabbits, ate the vegetation in which they made their nests.
The rabbits that were most threatening to the Laysan duck were removed from the island in 1926, and the number of endangered animals slowly began to recover. In 1957, scientists belived there were between 400 and 600 ducks living on the island. Unfortunately, a 1963 hurricane killed many birds, putting their survival in jeopardy again. European settlers also hunted the Laysan duck for sport, killing off huge numbers of birds. Luckily, they are now protected by law. Today, Laysan is part of the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors need a special permit to view the duck in its natural habitat. The ducks that live in zoos around the world may eventually be returned to the wild, and help save the wild island population. | ||
| Interesting Facts | The Laysan duck is one of the most endangered ducks in the world. It is sometimes called the Laysan teal. | ||
| Animal Communication Panel | |||
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