Photo: Sarefo / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Meller’s Duck
Anas melleri
Meller's Duck (Anas melleri) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
The Meller’s Duck (Anas melleri) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 959 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Anas
- Species melleri
Quick facts
- Weight
- 959 g
- Diet
- Aquatic plant-eaters
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Birb mood:
the park-pond classic
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Meller’s Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Meller’s Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Meller’s Duck (Anas melleri) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane e Madagascar (rare).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 959 g, with a wing length of about 24.6 cm and a tail of around 9.1 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 210,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Meller’s Duck?
The Meller’s Duck is a very large bird that weighs around 959 g.
Where does the Meller’s Duck live?
The Meller’s Duck is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane e Madagascar (rare), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Meller’s Duck belong to?
The Meller’s Duck (Anas melleri) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Meller’s Duck eat?
The Meller’s Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.
Does the Meller’s Duck migrate?
The Meller’s Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Meller’s Duck endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Meller’s Duck make?
1 real field recording of the Meller’s Duck — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Meller’s Duck's range?
The Meller’s Duck has a mapped global range of about 210,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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