The Whio or Blue Duck is one of New Zealand’s fascinating endemic birds. Here are 6 facts about this bird that can only be found in rivers or streams.
New Zealand’s most iconic bird may be the kiwi, but the country is full of many other truly special animals. The kea is the only alpine parrot in the world. The yellow eyed penguin, hoiho, is an endemic penguin that is even on the NZ$5 note. In addition to the birds, the country is full of endemic lizards, a few frogs, and even the ancient tuatara. Well, the blue duck is another special bird that deserves a bit more attention and acclaim.
6 Whio Facts
Whio or blue ducks live in clear, fast flowing rivers and streams throughout the country. They used to live throughout the country, but now they can mainly be seen on the clear, wild rivers of New Zealand’s backcountry. You should feel lucky and honoured to see one because many people have never seen one.
Look closely at the tip of the blue duck’s bill and you’ll see what looks like a black spot. That is actually a bit of soft, fleshy membrane on the bill, making the blue duck one of the only birds with a soft bill. The whio has this because it eats invertebrates that it finds in water. That soft bit protects its bill as it searches around abrasive rocks for a meal.
The whio or blue duck is on New Zealand currency – the $10 note to be exact. Look in your wallet and you can see that blue duck on the blue note in your wallet staring back at you.
There are only 3,000 whio or blue ducks left in the wild. Thus, these birds are threatened and need our help if they are to survive. They used to live throughout the country in clear, fast flowing rivers before Europeans arrived and settled in the country. However, their numbers have been vastly reduced, mainly due to habitat loss and introduced species (predators such as stoats).
A large effort is underway now to protect them and help increase their populations. Several sites across the country have been targeted to focus conservation efforts by targeting predators and working to increase the population. To date those efforts are working, but it’s not a one and done type of job. Success will require continued efforts.
Unlike most ducks, the whio doesn’t quack! Most of us recognise or would know a duck from the telltale quacking that they make. Well, the whio is not your average duck. Instead of quacking the male makes a whistle like noise and the female has a low rattling growl.