Hawaiian Duck

Basic Description

The Hawaiian Duck is one of the world’s rarest and least known waterfowl species. Listed as Endangered in the U.S. since 1978, this dabbling duck's numbers have fallen to fewer than 1,000 adults due to habitat destruction and predation by introduced mammals. They are now further threatened by hybridization with the larger, introduced Mallard. Individuals that are free from hybridization now occur only on Kauai and neighboring Niihau. This wary duck inhabits remote mountain streams, as well as lowland ponds and taro fields, feeding on aquatic plants and invertebrates.