THE LIFE OF A WHIO

APPERANCE

• Whio can reach a length of 530mm
• They have large webbed feet
• The male Whio can reach a weight of 1000grams
• The female Whio can reach a weight of 800grams
• The upper bill of a Blue Duck is thick and fleshy. This overlaps the lower lip therefore allowing them to scrape larvae of rocks
• Whio are a bluey-grey colour apart from dark chestnut spots on the chest
• Blue Duck have a streamlined head to help them feed

HABITAT

• Whio prefer clean, bouldery, fast-flowing rivers
• They are spotted in forested hills and mountanious country
• In the North Island the Blue Duck is found on the rivers of volcanic plauteu
• In the South Island they are found in North-Western Nelson
• They prefer to live by higher water because it is easier for them to swim in

habits

• Blue Ducks defend their territory all year round
• Whio are mainly active in the early morning and late evening. They hide in logs, caves and other places during the day
• The size of a pair of Whio's territory can vary, but the average is 1.5km depending on the quality of food and habitat avaliable
• Blue Duck's are aggressive especially when defending their territory
• Males will have a massive fight over a female
• They eat larvae and aquatic insects such as Caddis Fly, Mayfly and Stonefly

YOUNG

• Blue Ducks nest between August and October
• They lay 4-9 creamy white eggs
• The female sits on the eggs for about 35 days
• Chicks can fly when they are about 70 days old
• The male stands guarding while the female sits on the eggs
• Nests are made out of twigs and grass and are found in caves, under river-side vegetation or in logs

THREATS

• A major threat to the Blue Duck is Habitat loss. Poor river-side management results in reduced water quality
• In many rivers, the flow is changed by hydro-electric generation or irragation which makes it unsuitable for Whio
• Stoats are a great danger to Whio. They attack females, steal eggs and take young ducklings from the waters edge
• Feral cats, dogs and ferrets are also predators while rats and possums have been sighted at nests and they are likely to take eggs
• Human disturbance is also a threat. When hunters and their dogs use the river as a course it is a major issue especially when the Whio is moulting, in which time that can't fly

what is being done to help

• Rangers put stoat trap along the walking track by the river to help protect the nesting Whio
• The use of 1080 is helping get rid of stoats, rats and possums who are harming the Whio
• There is reasonably close monitoring to keep the Whio safe