Kuba Whistling Goose
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Kuba Whistler Goose ( Dendrocygna arborea ) |
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| Dendrocygna arborea | ||||||||||||
| ( Linnaeus , 1758) |
The Kuba Whistler Goose ( Dendrocygna arborea ) is a species of duck birds . It is the largest species in the subfamily of the Whistling Geese . It is found on the Greater Antilles , some Bahama Islands , the Cayman Islands and the Lesser Antilles as far as Martinique .
description
The Kubapfeifgans are 48 to 58 centimeters in length and weigh around 1200 grams, which is almost double to three times the size of the pygmy whistle goose ( D. javanica ), the smallest representative of the whistling geese. The wing length of this bird species is between 23 and 27 centimeters. Kuba whistle geese do not show sexual dimorphism . However, older males are a bit more colorful. The black and white flank markings are particularly sharply demarcated from one another. The drawing is more blurred in young birds.
Way of life
The living habits of this species of duck are relatively little researched. They prefer to stay in forest swamps and in mangrove regions in coastal areas. It is largely true to its location and does not migrate much. During the day, the birds prefer to rest on branches that are as close to the water as possible. They are active at twilight and at these times go on foraging flights in fields and in palm groves. They feed mainly on fruits, especially the seeds of the royal palm ( Roystonea regia ), berries, seeds and cereals and also eat some animal food. Kuba whistling geese do not dive.
The breeding season of the kuba whistle geese varies depending on the location. They breed in loose groups on trees or on the ground. The clutch comprises six to twelve eggs that are incubated for between about 30 days.
Attitude in Europe
Kuba whistle geese were kept in Europe very early on. The first ducks came to an English private collection as early as 1750. In 1831 they were shown at London Zoo and in 1872 at Berlin Zoo. The Cologne Zoo already had breeding successes with this species in 1869. Since it can become very aggressive towards other ducks, it is usually kept either as a single pair in very large enclosures or in individual shows.
Systematics
The more precise relationships within the whistling geese look like this:
| Whistling Geese (Dendrocygninae) |
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threat
The kuba whistle goose was hunted intensively for its eggs. It is now protected from human hunting by the CITES , but there is insufficient control by the local government. The habitat of the kuba whistle goose, wetlands , is endangered by agriculture and building. Over half of the remaining wetlands are seriously threatened by deforestation, pollution and natural disasters such as drought and hurricanes. Predators could also be an explanation for the declining population. The IUCN lists the Kuba Whistling Goose as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).
Individual references, literature and web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Kolbe, p. 71
- ↑ Dendrocygna arborea in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed November 17 of 2009.
literature
- T. Bartlett: Ducks And Geese - A Guide To Management. The Crowood Press, 2002, ISBN 1-85223-650-7
- Hartmut Kolbe: The world's ducks. Ulmer Verlag 1999, ISBN 3-8001-7442-1
- Josep del Hoyo et al. a .: Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, 1992, ISBN 84-87334-10-5 .
