Pateke @ Colville (Coromandel) Traditional Cache
Pateke @ Colville (Coromandel)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The pāteke or brown teal were once widespread throughout New Zealand
They now number over 2,000 birds nationally. The main populations are at Great Barrier Island (where approximately 900 reside), Northland (where around 400 reside), and Coromandel (where at least 300 reside).
They are a small dabbling duck, mainly brown in colour with a distinctive white eye ring that makes them easily distinguishable from other ducks. When in breeding plumage, males have a green head that can vary from subtle to very strong iridescent green, sometimes with a white collar on the neck. When not in breeding plumage, both sexes look alike.
Their habitat is within broad lowland valleys comprising of short-grass pasture, streams, wetlands, estuaries and associated riparian vegetation.
They feed at night on invertebrates, fruits, seeds, and vegetation. These are generally found in damp or flooded pasture, lawns, drains, shallow wetlands, estuaries, and wet forest habitats.
Pāteke nest in winter and spring in rushes, sedges or under banks.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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