Whio (Blue Duck) (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

The Whio

The whio is a highly endangered waterfowl native to New Zealand. It is an amazing creature for a number of reasons, it is endemic to New Zealand, it has no close relatives anywhere in the world, and has many unique traits and behaviours.

The average length of the whio for an adult male is 530 mm, weighing in at 1 kilogram. Females weigh slightly less at an average of 800 grams.

The blue duck makes a call "wh-io" hence the name. Its brilliant colour allows it to move along almost unnoticed between rocks and moving currents. They are best spotted in early morning or at dusk. During these times the whio will do most of its feeding, unlike normal ducks, the whio will feed on larvae and insects.

The whio has an amazing aquatic ability which most ducks do not. They can swim with ease through fast rapids, aided by their oversized webbed feet and streamlined head and body.

The blue duck nests between August and October, incubating five or more eggs for 32-38 days.

Did you know? The whio has a special bill which allows them to scrape insect larvae from rocks.

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