Medium-sized dabbling duck (approx 55 cm or 21.5 in) with a very slender body, long neck and tail. Upperparts and greyish flanks with a fine streaking. Black anal area, greenish speculum. White breast and neck, colour that extends in the form of a thin line on both sides of the face. Chocolate brown head. Long black bill with blue sides. Black tail, with long central feathers that are usually shown upright. Females of much more discrete brown and mottled tones, but maintaining the colouration of the bill and the length of the tail.
Wetlands
Species with a preference for shallow wetlands and nearby pastures. During the wintering period, it uses mostly coastal wetlands or those near the coast.
Wintering species in the province. It makes one annual laying of 7 to 9 eggs from April. Nest located among grasses or reeds, always near the water. Vegetarian diet: rhizomes and tubers that this duck extracts from the muddy bottom by dabbling only its head and neck. Able to explore deeper than other dabbling ducks thanks to the length of its neck.
Little abundant species, but usual in winter in the inland lagoons of the province, such as Fuente de Piedra and Campillos. It can also be observed in the mouths of the Guadalhorce and Vélez rivers.
In Malaga this duck is known as "pato careto" ("dirty face duck") or "cuellilargo" ("long-necked"). Its Latin name refers to its acute ("acuta") or pointed silhouette, largely due to its tail.
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