Carolina Duck
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Aix
Specie: Aix sponsa
Common name: Carolina Duck, Wood Duck
Breed: Wood Duck
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: North America
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Aix
Specie: Aix sponsa
Common name: Carolina Duck, Wood Duck
Breed: Wood Duck
Uses: Exhibition & Ornamentals bird
Origen: North America
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Characteristics: The wood duck or Carolina duck (Aix sponsa) is a specie found in North America. It is one of the most colorful North American waterfowl. They are a medium-sized duck. A typical adult is from 47 to 54 cm (19 to 21 inches) in length, with a wingspan of between 66 to 73 cm (26 to 29 inches). It shares its genus with the Asian Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata). The wild specimens, the adult male has distinctive multicolored iridescent plumage. The top of head, and crest in a metallic purplish-green color. The sides of the face are black with white stripe along the neck, and a small white stripe extends up each cheek. The white stripes highlight the plumage. They have red eyes and bill, and the base of the bill has a patch of yellow. The chest and the rump are dark red, and the sides are a drab yellow with black and white stripes at the edges. The belly is white, blackish tail and back, and black and blue wings. The female is less colorful, and have grayish-brown bodies, the back is dark gray-brown, and the sides are a lighter shade. The most noticeable characteristics of the females are found on the head. The head is gray with a white eye-ring around each eye, a stripe running back from the eye, thin yellow eye-ring surrounded by a white eye-ring, and a whitish throat. The head also has a crest of feathers at the back, and white feathers on the throat and chin. The non breeding males are similar to the females, but they has not white around the eyes. Similar to the female Mandarin Duck, the female Wood Duck has a thin yellow eye-ring surrounded by a white eye-ring. Adult females, and males have crested heads. They usually nest in cavities in trees close to water, although they will take advantage of nesting boxes in wetland locations if available. The females line their nests with their feathers, and other soft materials, and the elevation provides some protection from possible predators. Unlike most other ducks, the wood duck has sharp claws for perching in trees and can, in southern regions, produce two broods in a single season. The females typically lay between 7 - 15 white-tan eggs in Spring or Summer, that are incubated for an average of 30 days. There are various mutations of the Wood duck found in captivity. The most common mutations are cinnamon, and white Wood duck. Although the origin of these mutations are unknown, it is presumed that the constant pairing of related birds, and selective breeding led to recessive genes combinations leading to genetic conditions, including the albinism, blonde, apricot, and the rare Silver. The population of the Carolina duck has increased a great deal in the last several years, due to the work of people constructing several wood duck boxes, and conserving the vital habitat for the Carolina ducks continue to breed.
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