Pink-eared Duck
The Pink-eared Duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) is a species of duck found in Australia. It has a large spatulate bill like the Australasian Shoveler, but is smaller at 38–40 cm length. Its brown back and crown, black and white barred sides and black eye patches on its otherwise white face make this bird unmistakable. Juveniles are slightly duller, but otherwise all plumages are similar. Its vernacular name refers to a pink spot in the corner formed by the black head pattern; it is only noticeable at close distance however, making the seldom-used Australian name of Zebra Duck more appropriate.
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| Pink-eared Duck |
image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:DickDaniels
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| Pink-eared Duck |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25609635@N03/
Taxonomy and systematics
It is the only living member of the genus Malacorhynchus; a closely related, but slightly larger extinct form from New Zealand was described as Scarlett's Duck (Malacorhynchus scarletti). This peculiar duck may be most closely related to the shelducks but its relationships are enigmatic. It may be closer to the Musk Duck and the stiff-tails (Sraml et al. 1996) and, formerly placed in the paraphyletic "perching ducks"; it is in any case not close to the dabbling ducks.
The Pink-eared Duck was reportedly known as the New Holland Duck by early colonists in Western Australia.
The Pink-eared Duck was reportedly known as the New Holland Duck by early colonists in Western Australia.
