Blue Ducks in Wellington?

[AlfieB77]

Hello everyone, i was wondering where would be the best place to see wild blue ducks near Wellington? Apparently someone just saw 2 at Zealandia, but im not sure if that’s believable. I also know that there is some captive at nga manu in Waikanae, but I don’t know of any wild ones near here. Any information appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jan]

Hi Alphie, I seem to remember the whio at Zealandia were translocated there, but they may be a breeding population now. Someone else will know better than me?

[Wrybill]

Up nga Manu maybe but the better bet would be up ruapehu area
thats where ive seen them. see photo records are sporadic and old so i don't think there are many if any there could be One up otaki gorge but the roads closed so unlikely the best bet i'm sorry is up ruapehu or ruatiti area near raetihi or some up ruahine ranges.

[Wrybill]

Ruapehu ruatiti area is best for them

However i'm not sure about the zealandia ones though sorry

[Jim_j]

I have never heard of Blue Duck being released in Zealandia - I'm sure it would have in the news or on their website if that was the case.
The streams there would be marginal habitat at best.
The easiest place close to Wellington (outside of captivity) is Turangi - there are a good number of birds along the Tongariro river reasonably easily spotted from the walkway and various bridges

Cheers
jim

[AlfieB77]

6 blue ducks were spotted there on Wednesday

[SomesBirder]

They would probably be male pāpango.

[Oscar Thomas]

Yep I agree, almost certainly misidentified NZ scaup/pāpango. The chances of blue ducks in Zealandia are extremely slim, considering they are an endangered species that is not found anywhere nearby, and not very dispersive nor migratory. They have definitely never been released there.

[AlfieB77]

I agree, but the descriptions from both eBird sightings say otherwise.

[Byrd]

Do you have links to these two checklists with Blue Ducks?

There are all sorts of dodgy species listed under Zealandia on ebird, including things like Brown Quail, Spotted Dove, Golden Pheasant, Wild Turkey, and Tomtit. Blue Duck seems like one of the dodgiest.