A duck has turned up in Niue. A mallard. The first duck they have had there and the locals are intrigued.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/prog ... ck-in-niue
Niue's lonely duck
- Neil Fitzgerald
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- Neil Fitzgerald
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Re: Niue's lonely duck
Trevor the mallard has died. Killed by a dog it seems.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/38 ... a-sad-time
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/38 ... a-sad-time
- RussCannings
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Re: Niue's lonely duck
Tragic indeed!
Wonder what that "weka" is about? Buff-banded Rail?
Wonder what that "weka" is about? Buff-banded Rail?
- David Riddell
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Re: Niue's lonely duck
Probably. According to a Notornis paper on the birds of Niue from 1971 (https://www.notornis.osnz.org.nz/system ... s_18_4.pdf), banded rails are known locally as "veka", and they're described as "very common" at that time, though whether they still are I have no idea. Seems they've had changing fortunes there, listed as "extinct" in 1902, and "very scarce" in 1953.
Saw lots of banded rails in Tonga when I went there in the early 90s - they call them veka there too.
Saw lots of banded rails in Tonga when I went there in the early 90s - they call them veka there too.
- RussCannings
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Re: Niue's lonely duck
Thanks David,
I guess we know where Maori got the word 'Weka.'
As for Nuie, I suppose rails could have depopulated the island since the 1950s given how widespread and common they are elsewhere.
I guess we know where Maori got the word 'Weka.'
As for Nuie, I suppose rails could have depopulated the island since the 1950s given how widespread and common they are elsewhere.