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Description
With its rusty-cinnamon head and bluish-gray bill, the Philippine duck is a rather distinctive bird. The cinnamon
colored head is boldly decorated with a black crown and a black stripe through the eye, while the rest of the plumage is brownish-gray. When in flight, a well-defined patch of glossy green on the wing can be clearly seen, which is bordered with black and has a narrow white edge, and the underside of the wing is also white. Immature Philippine ducks have slightly duller plumage than that of adults, while ducklings are olive-brown with a bright yellow face and neck. It calls with a typical duck-like quack.
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Breeding
This shy and nervous species, which will quickly
fly off if approached, may be seen in large flocks
outside of the breeding season, but usually occurs in
pairs or small groups. The breeding season is thought
to extend between March and November, with a peak in
activity in July and August, although this may vary
throughout the range . The Philippine duck constructs
a nest obscured from view under a thick cover of
aquatic vegetation, such as water bindweed. Clutches
consist of 8 to 10, sometimes 15 to 16, eggs, which
are dull white with a brownish tinge. These are
incubated for 25 to 26 days.
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General Comments
Most active in the
early morning, late afternoon, and during moonlit
nights, the Philippine duck forages in shallow water
for plants, mollusks and crustaceans. Fish and frogs
may also be consumed, as well as insects, rice and the
shoots of young plants; some farmers have complained
of the damage this duck had done to newly sown fields
and sprouting crops
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Philippine Duck Drake
Philippine Duck Hen
Philippine Duck Pair
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