Many birds feed on bivalve molluscs, but only oystercatchers (Haematopus spp.) are known to prise open the shells. Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis), a dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand, were observed opening Common Cockles (Austrovenus stutchburyi) on Great Barrier Island. The teal jackhammered into the open shells of feeding cockles and quickly scooped out the flesh. Despite having the bill morphology of a typical dabbling duck, they were adept at this feeding method.
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1 September 2003
Cockle-opening by a Dabbling Duck, the Brown Teal
Suzanne J. Moore,
Phil F. Battley
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Waterbirds
Vol. 26 • No. 3
September 2003
Vol. 26 • No. 3
September 2003
Anas chlorotis
Austrovenus stutchburyi
Brown Teal
cockle
feeding techniques