ANSERIFORMES Swans, geese, and ducks

The information presented here is identical to that contained in the fifth edition of the Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand (Checklist Committee 2022). To access a pdf version of the Checklist click here.

Symbols
➤ Indicates a species (cf. subspecies)
* Indicates a species (or other taxon) introduced to the New Zealand region
† Indicates an extinct taxon

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Subclass NEOGNATHAE: Neognathous Birds

Order ANSERIFORMES: Duck-like Birds

This order is best placed within Galloanserimorphae after Ratitae, following Knox et al. (2002). The higher taxonomy is based on Checklist Committee (1990, 2010) modified to reflect the common features of the relationships shown and/or taxonomies proposed in Madsen et al. (1988), Livezey (1989, 1990, 1991, 1996a,b,c, 1997a,b), Sibley & Ahlquist (1990), del Hoyo et al. (1992), McCracken et al. (1999), Sorenson et al. (1999), Donne-Goussé et al. (2002), and Callaghan & Harshman (2005). Anseriformes is taken to have three families: Anhimidae (screamers) confined to South America, Anseranatidae (magpie goose) monotypic of Australia, and Anatidae. Within Anatidae, it is traditionally considered that the whistling ducks Dendrocygna and Thalassornis are basal, and that the rest of Anatidae formed two major clades: Anserinae (swans and geese) and Anatinae (all other taxa). However, we follow Checklist Committee (1990) and Marchant & Higgins (1990), and in part Livezey (1997b), Dickinson (2003), and Callaghan & Harshman (2005), in treating shelducks and kin, sea ducks, and stiff-tailed ducks as subfamilies: Tadorninae, Merginae, and Oxyurinae respectively. To these is added the basal monotypic anseriform Stictonetta of Australia in Stictonettinae.

Analyses of skeletal and plumage features found an association between Aythyini, Mergini, Oxyurini, Biziura and other modified diving ducks (Livezey 1997b), in contrast to traditional taxonomies (e.g. Delacour & Mayr 1945; Johnsgard 1968) which had not revealed these taxa to be related. Subsequent DNA analyses indicated that these taxa have no close relationships to one another, and that their diving specialisations have resulted in morphological convergence that obscures phylogeny (Madsen et al. 1988; Sibley & Ahlquist 1990; Sraml et al. 1996; Johnson & Sorenson 1999; McCracken et al. 1999; Sorenson et al. 1999; Donne-Goussé et al. 2002; McCracken & Sorenson 2005).

The stiff-tailed ducks (Oxyura and related genera) are considered more basal than Anatinae, following Madsen et al. (1988), Sibley et al. (1988), Sibley & Ahlquist (1990), Marchant & Higgins (1990), Sraml et al. (1996), Callaghan & Harshman (2005), Worthy & Lee (2008), and Worthy (2009), and so are placed after Dendrocygna and Anserinae. Genetic studies, e.g. Sraml et al. (1996) and McCracken et al. (1999), provided strong evidence that Biziura is not closely related to Oxyura, although both taxa lie outside Anatinae. Callaghan & Harshman (2005) did not allocate Biziura to a subfamily, leaving its position in the phylogeny of Anatidae as incertae sedis. Worthy (2009) found it to be a member of Oxyurinae. Pending resolution of its higher relationships, Biziura is here retained in Oxyurinae. Cereopsis is accepted as a member of Anserinae following Livezey (1989, 1997b), Marchant & Higgins (1990), Donne-Goussé et al. (2002), and Callaghan & Harshman (2005). We have not placed Cnemiornis in its own monotypic family (Cnemiornithidae), as suggested by Livezey (1989) and followed by Callaghan & Harshman (2005), because later analyses failed to support this.

The shelducks and sheldgeese form a monophyletic clade in most studies (e.g. Livezey 1997a,b; Sorenson et al. 1999; Donne-Goussé et al. 2002), which we place at the subfamily level before Anatinae, following Checklist Committee (1990, 2010), Marchant & Higgins (1990), Livezey (1997b), Dickinson (2003), and Callaghan & Harshman (2005). Livezey (1997a,b) resurrected Casarca for the unbanded shelducks, restricting Tadorna to T. tadorna and T. radjah. In this scheme the paradise shelduck would be Casarca variegata in the subgenus Pseudotadorna Kuroda, 1917 with C. tadornoides and C. cristata. Here we follow the more conservative approach of placing all shelducks in one genus, as did Kear (2005).

The placement of Malacorhynchus in the anatid phylogeny is problematic because it is monotypic, at least in the Recent fauna, and poorly studied: it has been included in just one genetic analysis to date. We depart from the conservative placement of Malacorhynchus early in the sequence within Anatinae (e.g. Marchant & Higgins 1990; Livezey 1997b; Dickinson 2003; Callaghan & Harshman 2005), and accept the feather protein evidence (Brush 1976), genetic evidence (Sraml et al. 1996) and morphological and behavioural evidence (Frith 1977; Olson & Feduccia 1980; Worthy & Lee 2008) and Worthy (2009), that in sum suggest it should be classified outside Anatinae and before Tadorninae. Provisionally, we place it between Anserinae and Tadorninae. Fullagar (in Kear 2005: 442) considered this taxon to be part of the old endemic component of Australia’s avifauna with no close relatives elsewhere.

Merginae is placed after Tadorninae, rather than after Anatinae, or as Mergini at the end of Anatinae, to reflect the relationships shown by mtDNA studies (Sorenson et al. 1999; Donne-Goussé et al. 2002). We follow the recommendation of Worthy & Olson (2002) that Euryanas finschi is listed as the sister taxon of Chenonetta jubata within Anatinae, contra Livezey (1989, 1997b), who had Euryanas as a monotypic tribe far removed from Chenonetta. Livezey (1997b), followed by Dickinson (2003), also suggested that Hymenolaimus lies within Tadorninae, but without supporting data for that position we leave it within Anatinae, following Checklist Committee (1990) and Marchant & Higgins (1990).

Authorship of family-group taxa is based on Rafinesque (1815), Leach (1819), Brodkorb (1964), Bock (1994), and Olson (1995). We follow Browning & Monroe (1991) for the publication date of Reichenbach (1853).

Suborder ANSERES: Swans, Geese, and Ducks

Family ANATIDAE Leach: Swans, Geese, and Ducks

Anatidae Leach, 1819: Eleventh room. In Synopsis Contents British Museum 15th edition, London: 67 – Type genus Anas Linnaeus, 1758.

Subfamily DENDROCYGNINAE Reichenbach: Whistling-ducks

Dendrocygninae Reichenbach, 1849: Avium Syst. Nat.: 9 – Type genus Dendrocygna Swainson, 1837.

Genus Dendrocygna Swainson

Dendrocygna Swainson, 1837: Nat. Hist. Classif. Birds 2: 365 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas arcuata Horsfield = Dendrocygna arcuata (Horsfield).

Leptotarsis Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 111 – Type species (by monotypy) Leptotarsis eytoni Eyton = Dendrocygna eytoni (Eyton).

➤ Dendrocygna eytoni (Eyton)
Plumed Whistling-duck

Leptotarsis eytoni Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 111 – North-western Australia (fide Mathews & Iredale, 1913: Ibis 1 (10th series): 407).

Dendrocygna eytoni munna Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec. 1: 86 – Dawson River, Queensland, Australia.

Dendrocygna eytoni (Eyton); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34.

Breeds throughout tropical Australia, with scattered colonies in New South Wales river systems (Frith 1977; Marchant & Higgins 1990). Straggler to New Zealand. About 15 records; usually in small flocks: one at Thames, 1871; flock of 14 at Lake Tuakitoto and at Kaitangata, 1871; three at Ashburton, 1894–96; 12 at Little Wanganui, North Westland, Jan. 1975; 9–11 at Elbow landing, Lower Waikato River, Apr. 1982; one at Te Aroha, 1984; six at Haast Beach, Westland, Mar. 1990; seven at Hokitika, Apr. 1992; five at Woodville, Feb. 2007; seven at Fox Glacier, Apr. 2011; three at Taradale, Napier, Sep. 2011, three at Te Whanga, Chatham Island, Oct. 2011, three at Barrytown, Feb. 2012; five at Kokatahi, Hokitika, Apr. 2015 (F. Hutton 1871; Oliver 1955; Ellis 1975; Marchant & Higgins 1990; Guest 1991; Medway 2000a; Scofield 2008; Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2013, 2017).

Subfamily ANSERINAE Vigors: Swans and Geese

Anserina Vigors, 1825: Zoological Journ. 2: 404 – Type genus Anser Brisson, 1760.

Tribe CYGNINI Vigors: Swans

Cygnina Vigors, 1825: Zoological Journ. 2: 404 – Type genus Cygnus Bechstein, 1803.

Genus Cygnus Bechstein

Cygnus Bechstein, 1803: Ornith. Taschenb. Deutschland 2: 404 (footnote) – Type species (by monotypy) Anas olor Gmelin = Cygnus olor (Gmelin).

Chenopis Wagler, 1832: Isis von Oken, Heft 11: col. 1234 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas atrata Latham = Cygnus atratus (Latham).

➤ *Cygnus olor (Gmelin)
Mute Swan | Wāna

Anas Olor Gmelin, 1789: Syst. Nat., 13th edition 1(2): 501. Based on the “Mute Swan” of Latham 1785, Gen. Synop. Birds 3: 436 – Russia.

Cygnus olor (Gmelin); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34.

Northern Eurasia; introduced from Great Britain as an ornamental bird (Oliver 1955: 609). Small feral populations mainly on Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora, and some small wetlands north of Christchurch, in the South Island, and on small lakes in Hawke’s Bay in the North Island (Marchant & Higgins 1990). Also called white swan.

➤ Cygnus atratus (Latham)
Black Swan | Kakīānau

Anas atrata Latham, 1790: Index Ornith. 2: 834 – New South Wales, Australia.

Anser Novae-Hollandiae Bonnaterre, 1791: Tableaux Encycl. Méthod. Ornith. 1 (47): 108. Based on the “Black Swan” of Phillip 1789, Voy. Governor Phillip Botany Bay; colonies Port Jackson & Norfolk: 98 – New South Wales, Australia.

Anas plutonia Shaw, 1792: Nat. Miscell. 3(36): pl. 108–110 – New South Wales, Australia.

Anas cygnus niger Perry, 1811: Arcana 15: pl. 59 – New South Wales, Australia.

Chenopis atratus (Latham); Wagler 1832, Isis von Oken, Heft 11: col. 1234.

Chenopsis [sic] atrata (Latham); Reichenbach 1853, Avium Syst. Nat.: 10.

Cygnus plutonius (Shaw); Baedeker 1863, Die Eier europaeischen Vögel Natur gemalt.: pl. 31, fig. 2.

Chenopis atrata roberti Mathews, 1912: Novit. Zool. 18(3): 446 – Augusta, Western Australia.

Chenopis atrata atrata (Latham); Mathews 1913, List Birds Australia: 86.

Chenopsis [sic] atratus (Latham); Thomson 1922, Naturalisation Animals Plants New Zealand: 106.

Cygnus atratus (Latham); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34.

Australia, Tasmania. In New Zealand, widespread and abundant throughout main islands and on Chatham Island. The New Zealand stocks are regarded as both introduced and self-introduced. A reassessment of the history of this species in New Zealand (M. Williams 1981) suggests that its wide distribution and marked abundance during 1864–68 are inexplicable without spontaneous immigration, considering that a major increase occurred at or slightly after the period of introduction (about 100 birds were released in 1864–68 by the Nelson, Canterbury, Southland, and Otago Acclimatisation Societies; see Kirk 1896). Estimates of genetic diversity of C. atratus in Australia, New Zealand, and the Chatham Islands, also support self-introduction (Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. 2017). First recorded alive in the Chatham Islands in 1864, when an exhausted bird was caught (Richards 1950); 4–5 birds were introduced there in 1890 (Aikman & Miskelly 2004). Vagrant to Auckland Islands / Maukahuka (Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020).

➤ †Cygnus sumnerensis (Forbes)
New Zealand Swan | Matapu

Holocene bones of Cygnus are common in coastal, lacustrine, and archaeological deposits throughout New Zealand and the Chatham Islands. Worthy (1998d) concluded that those from Marfells Beach (Marlborough) were indistinguishable from C. atratus. However, Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. (2017) used mitochondrial DNA and skeletal measurements to show that swan bones from New Zealand and the Chatham Islands were distinct from those of C. atratus, and that Chatham Island bones (including the holotype of C. chathamicus) differed sufficiently (both genetically and morphologically) from New Zealand samples that they should be recognised as a separate subspecies. This approach is followed here.

†Cygnus sumnerensis sumnerensis (Forbes)
New Zealand Swan | Matapu

Chenopis sumnerensis Forbes, 1890: Nature (2 Jan.) 41(1053): 209; Ibis 2 (6th series): 264 – Sumner, Canterbury.

Cygnus sumnerensis (Forbes); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 98.

Cygnus atratus; Checklist Committee 2010, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 32. In part, as junior synonym.

Cygnus sumnerensis sumnerensis (Forbes); Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. (2017), Proc. Roy. Soc. B 284: 20170876: 3.

Known from natural deposits and middens from North, South, and Stewart Islands (Worthy & Holdaway 2002; Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. 2017).

†Cygnus sumnerensis chathamicus Oliver
Chatham Island Swan | Poūwa

Cygnus chathamicus Oliver, 1955: New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 603 – Chatham Islands.

Cygnus chathamica; Dawson 1958, Ibis 100(2): 233. Unjustified emendation.

Cygnus chathamensis; Worthy 1998, Rec. Cant. Museum 12(1): 110. Unjustified emendation.

Cygnus atratus; Checklist Committee 2010, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 32. In part, as junior synonym.

Cygnus sumnerensis chathamicus Oliver; Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. (2017), Proc. Roy. Soc. B 284: 20170876: 3.

Common in natural deposits and middens on Chatham Island (Millener 1999; Rawlence, Kardamaki et al. 2017).

Tribe CEREOPSINI Vigors: Australasian Geese

Cereopsina Vigors, 1825: Zoological Journ. 2: 404 – Type genus Cereopsis Latham, 1801.

Genus *Cereopsis Latham

Cereopsis Latham, 1801: Index Ornith. Suppl.: lxvii – Type species (by monotypy) Cereopsis novaehollandiae Latham.

➤ *Cereopsis novaehollandiae Latham
Cape Barren Goose

Cereopsis N. Hollandiae Latham, 1801: Index Ornith. Suppl.: lxvii – New South Wales = islands of Bass Strait, Australia (fide Mathews 1927, Syst. Avium Australasianarum 1: 210).

Cereopsis cinerea Vieillot, 1816: Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat., nouv. éd. 5: 516. Unnecessary nomen novum for Cereopsis novaehollandiae Latham, 1801.

Anser griseus Vieillot, 1818: Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat., nouv. éd. 23: 336 – Tasmania, Australia.

Anas terrae leeuwin Bennett, 1831: Proc. Comm. Sci. Corresp. Zool. Soc. London 1(3): 26 (ex Riche MS) – Esperance Bay, Western Australia.

Cereopsis australis Swainson, 1837: Classification of Birds 2(92): 366 – Bass Strait, Australia.

Cereopsis novaehollandiae georgi Mathews, 1912: Novit. Zool. 18(3): 446 – Twin-Peak Islands, Western Australia.

Cereopsis novae-hollandiae Latham; Thomson 1922, Naturalisation Animals Plants New Zealand: 106.

Cereopsis novaehollandiae Latham; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34.

Cereopsis novaezealandiae Oliver, 1955: New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 601 – New Zealand. Junior primary homonym of Cereopsis novae-zealandiae Forbes, 1892.

Cereopsis novaehollandiae grisea Storr, 1980: West. Austr. Naturalist 14: 202 – Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia.

Cereopsis novaehollandiae novaehollandiae Latham; Storr, 1980: West. Austr. Naturalist 14: 202.

Breeds on islands off southern Australia (Bass Strait and Great Australian Bight). Liberated at Lake Hawea in 1914, where it survived as a small population in the Hawea, Wanaka, and Hunter River area until about 1946 (G. Williams 1968). Reports from Fiordland (1947, 1967), Waitaki-Benmore (1966), South Auckland (1986) may have been stragglers from Australia. Records from Whanganui and Waikanae (Dec. 1987 to Jan. 1988; G. Taylor 1990: 199) were probably of birds escaped from captivity. Breeding pairs in North Canterbury 1995, 1996, were probably escapees from flock of c. 30 at Peacock Springs (O’Donnell & West 1996: 172, 1998: 12, 2001: 84). Regular recent records, including: Takaka, Dec. 1998 (O’Donnell 2001: 102); Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora, Dec. 2000 (Medway 2001c); Waikuku Aug. to Sep. 2001 (Medway 2001d); South Canterbury, 3 Sep. 2001; Waikanae, Aug. 2002; near Timaru, Sep. 2002 (Medway 2002d); Otaihanga, Paraparaumu, Jun. 2003; Washdyke Lagoon, Aug. 2003 (Medway 2003b); Sweetwater, Kaitaia, Jul. 2006; Hokitika, Jul. 2007, Apr. 2012 & Feb. 2013 (Scofield 2008; Miskelly et al. 2013); Cape Reinga, Feb. 2009 (Miskelly et al. 2011); Te Kuiti, Mar. 2011 (Miskelly et al. 2013); Waimauku, Auckland, Jan. 2017; New Plymouth, Jul. 2018 & Nov. 2020 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2019, 2021); Te Marua, Upper Hutt, Oct. 2020 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2021). See also C. Robertson et al. (2007). Contrary to Forbes (1892), Oliver (1955), and Dawson (1958) there is no pre-human record of Cereopsis in New Zealand (see under Cnemiornis calcitrans below).

Genus †Cnemiornis Owen

Cnemiornis Owen, 1866: Trans. Zool. Soc. London 5(5): 396 – Type species (by original designation) Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen.

A cladistic analysis of morphology by Livezey (1989, 1997b) placed the flightless geese Cnemiornis in a basal position in Anseriformes as a distinct family (Cnemiornithidae); however, a re-analysis using a more complete data-set, corroborated by a mtDNA analysis by Worthy et al. (1997), strongly indicated Cnemiornis was the sister taxon of Cereopsis, as most previous workers had thought. Dawson (1958), Worthy et al. (1997), and Worthy & Holdaway (2002) provided details of the nomenclatural history of the included species.

➤ †Cnemiornis gracilis Forbes
North Island Goose | Tarepo

Cnemiornis gracilis Forbes, 1892: Trans. N.Z. Inst. 24: 187 – Te Aute, Hawke’s Bay.

Cnemiornis septentrionalis Oliver, 1955: New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 602 – Hunterville, Rangitikei.

Cnemiornis gracilis Forbes; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 100.

Extinct – known from bones only. Two doubtful Early Pleistocene records (see below) and one middle Pleistocene record; otherwise Late Pleistocene (e.g. Waitomo, Mahoenui, Hawke’s Bay; Worthy & Swabey 2002) and Holocene. The oldest record of certain provenance is one bone from Clifton Sand, near Cape Kidnappers, c. 680,000 years old (Oxygen Isotope Stage 17; B. Gill et al. 2005). One midden record (Paremata, Wellington; Davidson 1978).

One supposed Early Pleistocene record is from Hunterville (Drew 1897), possibly from the Tewkesbury Formation of 1.8 Ma (Fleming 1953: 157). Drew (1897) reported that all bones had Tertiary marine shells and sand filling holes and grooves, but the Cnemiornis bones from Hunterville in the Whanganui Museum have no such infilling. The holotype left tibiotarsus of Cn. septentrionalis, and other bones recorded from Hunterville, are probably all of one individual (Checklist Committee 2010). This implies a less turbulent depositional history, such as would be provided by Late Pleistocene fluvial cover beds rather than the older marine sediments (Worthy et al. 1991). Alternatively, the bones may be among those sent from Te Aute to Whanganui Museum by Rev. A.O. Williams (Drew 1897: 285).

Bones described as too big for a kiwi and too small for a moa were collected by S.H. Drew in 1886 in quarries between Okehu and Kai Iwi stations, from sandy shell beds that are also exposed at Butlers Creek (J. Park 1887: 63). Cnemiornis bones in Whanganui Museum, identified as from ‘brown sands at Kai Iwi in 1886’ (Oliver 1955: 602), are presumed to be some of these bones. The deposits were referred to Butlers Shell Conglomerate (Fleming 1953: 175), implying an Early Pleistocene age (c. 1.15 Ma), but Worthy et al. (1991) doubted this provenance, suggesting that they were from Late Pleistocene cover beds. The right tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus in Whanganui Museum are brown (Checklist Committee 2010) unlike the polished black fragments of moa bone known certainly from Butlers Shell Conglomerate.

➤ †Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen
South Island Goose

Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen, 1865: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1865 (28): 438. Nomen nudum.

Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen, 1866: Trans. Zool. Soc. London 5(5): 396 – Timaru.

Cnemiornis minor Forbes, 1892: Trans. N.Z. Inst. 24: 187 – New Zealand.

Cereopsis novae-zealandiae Forbes, 1892: Trans. N.Z. lnst. 24: 188 – Enfield, Otago.

Cnemiornis calcitrans Owen; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 99.

Extinct – known from Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits, particularly in caves and swamps of the eastern South Island (Marlborough to Southland); only in Pleistocene deposits in western regions (Worthy 1999a); rare in middens (10 sites; Worthy 1999b).

Tribe *ANSERINI Vigors: Northern Geese

Anserina Vigors, 1825: Zoological Journ. 2: 404 – Type genus Anser Brisson, 1760.

Genus *Anser Scopoli

Anser Brisson, 1760: Ornithologie 1: 58, 6: 261 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anser domesticus = Anas anser Linnaeus.

➤ *Anser anser (Linnaeus)
Greylag Goose | Kuihi*

Anas Anser Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 123 – Europe & northern North America, restricted to Sweden (fide Linnaeus 1761, Fauna Svecica, 2nd edition: 40).

Anser anser ferus Brünnich, 1764: Ornith. Borealis: 13, no 53 – Eurasia.

Anser cinereus Meyer, 1810: Ornith. Taschenb. Deutschland 2: 552 – Eurasia.

Anser ferus Linnaeus [sic]; Hamilton 1909, Hand-list Birds New Zealand: 18.

Anser cinereus; Thomson 1922, Naturalisation Animals Plants New Zealand: 105.

Anser anser (Linnaeus); Heather & Robertson 1996, Field Guide Birds New Zealand: 74, 262.

Occurs naturally from Iceland across Eurasia to China. Domesticated for centuries, the species was first brought to New Zealand by Cook in 1773 (Thomson 1922) and later by European settlers. Now feral in many regions throughout North and South Islands (Heather & Robertson 1996; C. Robertson et al. 2007) and Chatham Islands (Tennyson 1998b).

*Also used for Canada goose Branta canadensis.

Genus *Branta Scopoli

Branta Scopoli, 1769: Annus 1, Hist. Nat.: 67 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas bernicla Linnaeus = Branta bernicla (Linnaeus).

➤ *Branta canadensis (Linnaeus)
Canada Goose | Kuihi*

Anas canadensis Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 123 – Canada.

North America and north-east Asia (Kamchatka to Japan) (Marchant & Higgins 1990).

*Branta canadensis maxima Delacour
Canada Goose | Kuihi*

Anas canadensis; Hamilton 1909, Hand-list Birds New Zealand: 19. Not Anas canadensis Linnaeus, 1758.

Branta canadensis; Thomson 1922, Naturalisation Animals Plants New Zealand: 104. Not Anas canadensis Linnaeus, 1758.

Branta canadensis maxima Delacour, 1951: American Mus. Novit. 1537: 5 – Round Lake, Grant County, Minnesota, USA.

Branta canadensis canadensis; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34. Not Anas canadensis Linnaeus, 1758.

Branta canadensis; Checklist Committee 1970, Annot. Checklist Birds N.Z.: 36. Not Anas canadensis Linnaeus, 1758.

Branta canadensis maxima Delacour; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 98.

Northern and central states of the USA (North Dakota to Arkansas). First successfully introduced to New Zealand in 1905 (Imber 1971). In the South Island, abundant from Marlborough to Southland and Fiordland (C. Robertson et al. 2007). North Canterbury birds regularly migrating from hill country breeding areas to Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora. North Island numbers increasing and distribution expanding as a result of liberations at Wairoa and in the Wairarapa and Waikato (C. Robertson et al. 2007). Rarely reaches the Kermadec Islands / Rangitāhua (Veitch et al. 2004), Chatham Islands (Miskelly et al. 2006), Snares Islands (Miskelly et al. 2001a), and Auckland Islands / Maukahuka (McClelland & Moore 1991; Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020). Vagrants from New Zealand have also reached Lord Howe Island (1969, 1977; Smithers 1977; McAllan et al. 2004), New Caledonia (1965; McAllan et al. 2004), and Australia (Anon. 2007a). First record for Australia was at Shoalhaven River, Nowra, Illawarra, in Oct. 2002 (Stafford 2002).

*Also used for greylag goose Anser anser.

INCERTAE SEDIS

Tribe MALACORHYNCHINI Boetticher: Pink-eared Ducks

Malacorhynchini Boetticher, 1950: Beitr. Gattungssyst. Vögel 2 – Type genus Malacorhynchus Swainson, 1831.

Genus Malacorhynchus Swainson

Malacorhynchus Swainson, 1831: Journ. Royal Inst. Great Britain 2: 18 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas membranacea Latham = Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Latham).

Genetic evidence (Sraml et al. 1996; Checklist Committee 2010) places Malacorhynchus outside Anatinae, between Dendrocygna and Tadorna, thus supporting the evidence from feather proteins (Brush 1976) and morphology (Olson & Feduccia 1980). Morphological data suggest that Malacorhynchus is a member of the Oxyurinae (Worthy & Lee 2008; Worthy 2009).

➤ Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Latham)
Pink-eared Duck

Anas membranacea Latham, 1801: Index Ornith. Suppl.: lxix – New South Wales, Australia.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Latham); Eyton 1838, Monograph Anatidae: 136. In part.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus assimilis Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec. 1: 86 – Fitzroy River, Western Australia.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus (Latham); Johnsgard 1979, in Peters Check-list Birds World 1 (2nd edition): 480.

Rare vagrant to New Zealand. One bird at Mangere Sewage Ponds, Jun. to Jul. 1990 (Eller et al. 1991; Guest 1991).

➤ †Malacorhynchus scarletti Olson
Scarlett’s Duck

Malacorhynchus scarletti Olson, 1977: Emu 77: 132 – Pyramid Valley, North Canterbury.

North, South, and Chatham Islands (Worthy & Gill 2002). Known from a very few, mainly lacustrine, Holocene deposits. Sister taxon of the Australian pink-eared duck M. membranaceus (Olson 1977; Worthy 1995).

Subfamily OXYURINAE J.C. Phillips: Stiff-tailed Ducks

The inclusion of Biziura in Oxyurinae may change because of genetic, morphological, and behavioural evidence (Sraml et al. 1996). McCracken et al. (1999) suggested that Biziura is a monotypic basal anatid lineage, placed outside Oxyurinae.

Tribe OXYURINI J.C. Phillips: Stiff-tailed Ducks

Oxyurinae J.C. Phillips, 1926: Nat. Hist. Ducks 4: 201 – Type genus Oxyura Bonaparte, 1828.

Genus Oxyura Bonaparte

Oxyura Bonaparte, 1828: Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist. N.Y. 2: 390 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas rubidus Wilson = Oxyura jamaicensis (Gmelin).

Erismatura Bonaparte, 1832: Giornale Arcadico di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti 52: 208. Unnecessary nomen novum for Oxyura Bonaparte, 1828.

Oxyura australis Gould, 1837 was reported as a subfossil from Lake Poukawa (Horn 1983), but all Oxyura remains from New Zealand are now referred to the endemic species Oxyura vantetsi Worthy, 2005 (see also Worthy 2004).

➤ †Oxyura vantetsi Worthy
New Zealand Blue-billed Duck

Oxyura australis; Horn 1983, Journ. Royal Soc. N.Z. 13: 67. Not Oxyura australis Gould, 1837.

Oxyura australis; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 107. Not Oxyura australis Gould, 1837.

Oxyura vantetsi Worthy, 2005: Mem. Queensland Mus. 51: 263 – Lake Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay.

Extinct. New Zealand: North and South Islands. Holocene remains representing at least 19 individuals were identified from swamp deposits at Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay, and a single bone from a South Island locality, probably Wairau Bar (Worthy 2004, 2005a).

Genus Biziura Stephens

Biziura Stephens, 1824: in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 221 – Type species (by monotypy) Biziura novaehollandiae Stephens = Anas lobata Shaw.

➤ †Biziura delautouri Forbes
New Zealand Musk Duck

Biziura delautouri Forbes, 1892 (Mar.): Nature 45(1166): 417 – Enfield Swamp, Oamaru, Otago.

Biziura lautouri Forbes, 1892 (May): Trans. N.Z. Inst. 24: 188 – Otago.

Biziura lobata delautouri Forbes, 1892; Olson 1977, Emu 77: 134.

Biziura delautouri Forbes; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 108.

This species has generally been considered conspecific with B. lobata (Shaw, 1796) (e.g. Scarlett 1969); however, data presented by Olson (1977) and Worthy (2002b) confirmed the distinctiveness of the species. Rare; known from two Holocene sites in the North Island (Waikuku Beach dunes, Far North; Lake Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay) and three in the South Island (Marfells Beach, Marlborough; Enfield, near Oamaru; Harwood, Otago Harbour) (Worthy 2002b; Lalas et al. 2014).

Subfamily TADORNINAE Reichenbach: Shelducks

Tribe TADORNINI Reichenbach: Shelducks

Tadorninae Reichenbach, 1849: Avium Syst. Nat.: 10 – Type genus Tadorna J.D.D. Fleming, 1822.

Genus Tadorna Boie

Tadorna Boie, 1822 (before May): Tagebuch Reise Norwegen: 140, 351 – Type species (by tautonymy) Tadorna familiaris Boie = Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus).

Tadorna J.D.D. Fleming, 1822 (Jun.): Phil. Zool 2: 260 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anas tadorna Linnaeus = Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus). Junior homonym and junior synonym of Tadorna Boie, 1822.

Casarca Bonaparte, 1838: Geogr. Comp. List. Birds: 56 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas rutila Pallas = Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas).

Casarka Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 479. Unnecessary nomen novum for Casarca Bonaparte, 1838.

Vulpanser Keyserling & Blasius, 1840: Wirbelthiere Europa’s 84: 125 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas tadorna Linnaeus = Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus).

Nettalopex Heine, 1890: in Heine & Reichenow, Nom. Mus. Hein. Ornith.: 343. Unnecessary nomen novum for Casarca Bonaparte, 1838.

Zesarkaca Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 31 – Type species (by original designation) Anas variegata Gmelin = Tadorna variegata (Gmelin).

➤ Tadorna variegata (Gmelin)
Paradise Shelduck | Pūtangitangi

Anas variegata Gmelin, 1789: Syst. Nat., 13th edition 1(2): 505. Based on the “Variegated Goose” of Latham 1785, Gen. Synop. Birds 3(2): 441 – “Habitat in nova Seelandia”, restricted to Dusky Sound, Fiordland (fide Medway 1976, Notornis 23: 54).

Anser variegatus (Gmelin); Bonnaterre, 1791: Tableaux Encycl. Méthod. Ornith. 1(47): 113.

Anas picta Vieillot, 1816: Nouv. Dict. Hist. Nat., nouv. éd. 5: 132 (ex Cooke) – New Zealand. Not Anas picta Gmelin, 1789.

Bernicla variegata (Gmelin); Stephens 1824, in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 59.

Casarka castanea Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 108, pl. 10 – New Zealand.

Casarca variegata (Gmelin); G.R. Gray 1843, in E. Dieffenbach, Travels in N.Z. 2: 198.

Anas cheneros J.R. Forster, 1844: in M.H.C. Lichtenstein, Descrip. Animalium: 92 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Casarca castanea Eyton; Bonaparte 1856, Compt. Rend. Séa. Acad. Sci., Paris 43: 649.

Anser variegata (Gmelin); Ellman 1861, Zoologist 19: 7471.

Tadorna variegata (Gmelin); Sclater 1864, Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1864 (2): 191, pl. 19.

Vulpanser variegata (Gmelin); Reichenow 1882, Ornith. Centralblatt: 36.

Nettalopex variegata (Gmelin); Heine & Reichenow 1890, Nom. Mus. Hein. Ornith.: 343.

Zesarkaca variegata (Gmelin); Mathews 1937, Emu 37: 31.

New Zealand. In the North Island, modern distribution is the result of deliberate introductions, e.g. Southland to National Park (settlement) from 1915 to 1920s, and National Park and Gisborne to Northland in the 1960s (M. Williams 1971). In the South Island, widely distributed throughout with greatest numbers along the eastern foothills of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana. Also Stewart Island / Rakiura and most major offshore islands, including Great Barrier / Aotea, Hauturu / Little Barrier and Kapiti Islands. Chatham Islands: one recorded Rangatira Island, Jan. 1984 (Fennell & Merton 1984). Five birds reached Lord Howe Island in Mar. 1950 with at least three staying until Aug. 1950 (McAllan et al. 2004). Holocene deposits and midden records from widely distributed sites throughout North and South Islands (M. Williams 1971; Worthy 1999b), and in the Chatham Islands. The Chatham remains may belong to an undescribed taxon (Millener 1999). Records from Enderby Island, Auckland Islands / Maukahuka are likely to have been misidentifications of T. tadornoides (see Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020).

➤ Tadorna tadornoides (Jardine & Selby)
Chestnut-breasted Shelduck

Anas tadornoides Jardine & Selby, 1828: Illus. Ornith. 4: pl. 62 and text – New South Wales, Australia.

Anas kasarkoides Lafresnaye, 1835: Mag. Zool., Paris: pl. 36, text – New South Wales, Australia.

Casarka todornoides (Jardine & Selby); Eyton 1838, Monograph Anatidae: 107. Unjustified emendation.

Vulpanser todornoides (Jardine & Selby); Reichenow 1882, Ornith. Centralblatt: 35. Unjustified emendation.

Nettalopex tadornina Heine & Reichenow, 1890: Nom. Mus. Hein. Ornith.: 343 – Australia.

Tadorna tadornoides westralis Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec. 1: 118 – Augusta, Western Australia.

Casarca tadornoides (Jardine & Selby); Oliver 1955, New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 406.

Tadorna tadornoides (Jardine & Selby); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 101.

South-west and south-east Australia, including Tasmania. First New Zealand records were Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora, before 1955, and Dec. 1982, and Hokitika River, Jan. 1973, (Oliver 1955; Fennell et al. 1983; Grant 1989). In 1983–86 recorded widely throughout New Zealand (including Snares Islands / Tini Heke, Auckland / Maukahuka and Campbell / Motu Ihupuku Islands) during Jan. to May. Highest number recorded was in 1983 (56); only 8 in 1984, but rising to 33 in 1985 (Heather 1987). At least nine records from Enderby Island, Auckland Islands: Apr. 1983 (2), Dec. 1984 (2), Dec. 1985 (3), Dec. 1990 (8), Jan. 1991 (1), Dec. 1994 (1), Jan. 2007 (1), Dec. 2012 (1), Jan. 2013 (1), Nov.–Dec. 2014 (13), Nov.–Dec. 2015 (1) (all records from Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020). One on Snares Islands / Tini Heke Nov.–Dec. 1984 (Miskelly et al. 2001a). Three, Tupuangi, Pitt Island, Chatham Islands, Dec. 1997 (Tennyson 1998b). A pair with half-grown young near Lake Tekapo in Jan. 1985 is the only confirmed breeding record. Occasionally reported from the three main islands since: one, Puponga, Jan. 1992 (Medway 2000a); two, Coopers Lagoon, Canterbury, Jun. 1995 (Miskelly et al. 2013); two, Peacock Springs, Christchurch, May 1996 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2017); three, Lake Omanu, Foxton, Mar. 1998 (Medway 2001c); two, Te Horo, Kapiti coast, Dec. 2002 (Medway 2003a); two, Normanby Lake (south of Timaru), Mar.–Apr. 2003 (Medway 2003b); one, Lake Rotomahana, Rotorua, Apr. 2003 (Medway 2004b); one, Hagley Park, Christchurch, Dec. 2005 (Scofield 2006); three, Otago Peninsula, Jan. 2007 (Scofield 2008); one, Kaiapoi, Feb. 2003; one, Bromley, Christchurch, Feb. 2003, Dec. 2005, Feb. 2005 & Feb. 2006; nine, Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora, Jan. 2007 (Miskelly et al. 2011, 2013, 2015; Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2017); one, St Annes Lagoon, Cheviot, Feb. 2007; one, McKays Crossing, Kapiti coast, Nov. 2014; one, Mangere, Auckland, Dec. 2014 (Miskelly et al. 2015); two, Avon-Heathcote estuary, Nov. 2015; one, Lake Ellesmere, Feb. 2016 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2017); one, Miranda, Firth of Thames, May 2017; one, Invercargill, Nov. 2017; two, Invercargill, Mar. 2018 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2019); one, Invercargill, Oct. 2018; two, Miranda, Firth of Thames, Jan. 2019; two, Invercargill, Oct. 2020; two, Ringaringa, Stewart Island / Rakiura, Dec. 2020 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2021). Tennyson (1998b) cited records of vagrants at Norfolk and Kermadec Islands / Rangitāhua.

Subfamily MERGINAE Rafinesque: Sea Ducks

Mergidia Rafinesque, 1815: Analyse de la Nature: 72 – Type genus Mergus Linnaeus, 1758.

Genus Mergus Linnaeus

Mergus Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 129 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Mergus castor Linnaeus = Mergus serrator Linnaeus.

Merganser Brisson, 1760: Ornithologie 6: 230 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Mergus castor Linnaeus = Mergus serrator Linnaeus.

Promergus Mathews & Iredale, 1913: Ibis 1 (10th series): 410 – Type species (by original designation) Mergus australis Hombron & Jacquinot.

➤ †Mergus milleneri Williams & Tennyson
Chatham Island Merganser

Mergus australis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841: Checklist Committee (2010) Checklist Birds N.Z.: 40. In part.

Mergus milleneri Williams & Tennyson, 2014: Wildfowl 64: 22 – Chatham Island.

Known only from Holocene remains on Chatham Island (M. Williams et al. 2014, 2015).

➤ †Mergus australis Hombron & Jacquinot
Auckland Island Merganser | Miuweka

Mergus australis Hombron & Jacquinot, 1841: Ann. Sci. Nat., Zool. Paris, 2nd series 16: 320 – Auckland Islands, restricted to Port Ross (fide Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020, Notornis 67: 65).

Merganser australis (Hombron & Jacquinot); Hutton 1904, Index Faunae N.Z.: 37.

Promergus australis (Hombron & Jacquinot); Mathews & Iredale 1913, Ibis 1 (10th series): 410.

Mergus australis Hombron & Jacquinot; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 36.

The English name for this species should be Auckland Island merganser rather than New Zealand merganser, following M. Williams et al. (2014). The only historical records are from Auckland and Adams Islands in the Auckland Islands / Maukahuka; the last specimens were apparently a pair shot on 9 Jan. 1902, and the species is now extinct (Kear & Scarlett 1970; M. Williams 2012). Holocene bones found on Enderby Island (Tennyson 2020a). The specific identity of North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island / Rakiura Mergus bones is unresolved (M. Williams et al. 2014). Young et al. (1997) mistakenly reported bones of Mergus from Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, and did not mention the Chatham Islands (see previous entry).

Subfamily ANATINAE Leach: Ducks

Ellman (1861: 7471) named two new species of teal as Anas fusca and A. mediterranea, but he did not give sufficient information to identify them unequivocally. Therefore, Anas fusca Ellman, 1861 and Anas mediterranea Ellman, 1861 are here regarded as nomina dubia.

Tribe ANATINI Leach: Typical Ducks

Anatidae Leach, 1819: Eleventh room. In Synopsis Contents British Museum 15th edition, London: 67 – Type genus Anas Linnaeus, 1758.

Genus Chenonetta Brandt

Chenonetta Brandt, 1836: Descr. Icon. Anim. Ross. Nov., Aves 1: 5 – Type species (by monotypy) Anser lophotus Brandt = Chenonetta jubata (Latham).

Euryanas Oliver, 1930: New Zealand Birds, 1st edition: 220 – Type species (by original designation) Anas finschi Van Beneden = Chenonetta finschi (Van Beneden).

Livezey (1989, 1997b) placed Anas finschi Van Beneden, 1875 in the monotypic tribe Euryanatini within Tadorninae. This was followed by Callaghan & Harshman (2005), who overlooked the analysis of Worthy & Olson (2002) showing that the New Zealand taxon had a close relationship to Chenonetta jubata. Chenonetta is placed early in Anatinae following Kear (2005) as supported by Worthy (2009).

➤ Chenonetta jubata (Latham)
Australian Wood Duck

Anas jubata Latham, 1801: Index Ornith. Suppl.: lxix – New South Wales, Australia.

Anser lophotus Brandt, 1836: Descr. Icon. Anim. Ross. Nov., Aves 1: 5 – New South Wales, Australia.

Chenonetta jubata alexanderi Mathews, 1916: Austral Avian Rec. 3: 56 – North of Western Australia.

Chenonetta jubata (Latham); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Australia and Tasmania. Recent coloniser to New Zealand. Fourteen records accepted by Records Appraisal Committee: Glendhu, Wanaka, 1910; Orawia, Southland, 1944; Wairau River, near mouth of the Waikakaho River, Marlborough, 1980 (Oliver 1955; P. Jenkins 1982); Snares Islands / Tini Heke, 1982–86 (Miskelly et al. 2001a); Otapiri, Southland, May 2002 (Medway 2002f); Bromley, Christchurch, Feb. 2009 & Jan. 2011 (Miskelly et al. 2011, 2013); Wakapuaka, Nelson, Jun. 2010; Burwood, Christchurch, May 2011 (Miskelly et al. 2013); four, Redwood Valley, Tasman, Dec. 2014 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2017). A few pairs breeding near Waimea Inlet, Tasman, since Oct. 2015 (W. Cook et al. 2016; Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2019). Unconfirmed records include: Nelson Haven, Jan. 1999, and Lake Elterwater, Mar. 1999 (O’Donnell 2001: 103).

➤ †Chenonetta finschi (Van Beneden)
Finsch’s Duck | Manutahora

Anas finschi Van Beneden, 1875: Ann. Soc. Géol. Belgique 2: 123, pl. 3 – Earnscleugh Cave, Otago.

Euryanus [sic] finschi (Van Beneden); Oliver 1930, New Zealand Birds, 1st edition: 220.

Euryanas finschi (Van Beneden); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 105.

Chenonetta finschi (Van Beneden); Worthy & Olson 2002, Notornis 49: 14.

Formerly placed in the monotypic genus Euryanas, but now placed in Chenonetta following Worthy & Olson (2002). Abridged versions of the original description appeared in Van Beneden (1875, 1877). Widely distributed in Holocene and Late Pleistocene deposits and middens throughout North and South Islands. Distribution changed from Pleistocene to Holocene following changes in vegetation distribution (Worthy 1999a). The species had a 10% reduction in relative wing length from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene (Worthy 1988a, 1997b).

Genus Hymenolaimus G.R. Gray

Malacorhynchus Wagler, 1832: Isis von Oken, Heft 11: col. 1235 – Type (by monotypy) Malacorhynchus forsterorum Wagler, 1832 = Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos (Gmelin). Junior homonym of Malacorhynchus Swainson, 1831.

Hymenolaimus G.R. Gray, 1843: Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., London 11: 370 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas malacorhynchos Gmelin = Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos (Gmelin).

Hymenolaemus Agassiz, 1846: Nomen. Zool. Animal. Fossil. 2: 190. Unjustified emendation.

Livezey (1996c, 1997b) suggested that Hymenolaimus lies within Tadorninae; this was followed by Dickinson (2003) and Kear (2005), although Callaghan (in Kear 2005: 370) stated that its relationships are unclear. Homoplasy demonstrably affected perceived relationships in Livezey’s analyses, especially among diving taxa (McCracken et al. 1999), and some of the unique behavioural and morphological features of Hymenolaimus probably relate to its specialised habitat, therefore we leave the genus in Anatinae until a tadornine relationship has been corroborated by other evidence.

➤ Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos (Gmelin)
Whio | Blue Duck

Anas malacorhynchos Gmelin, 1789: Syst. Nat., 13th edition 1(2): 526. Based on the “Soft-billed Duck” of Latham 1785, Gen. Synop. Birds 3(2): 522 – “Habitat in nova Seelandia”, restricted to Dusky Sound, Fiordland (fide Checklist Committee 1990).

Rhynchaspis malacorynchos (Gmelin); Stephens 1824, in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 123. Unjustified emendation.

Malacorhynchus Forsterorum Wagler, 1832: Isis von Oken, Heft 11: col. 1235 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Malacorhynchus membranaceus Latham; Eyton 1838, Monograph Anatidae: 136. In part.

Malacorynchus [sic] Forsterorum Wagler; G.R. Gray 1843, in E. Dieffenbach, Travels in N.Z. 2: 198.

Anas malacoryncha J.R. Forster, 1844: in M.H.C. Lichtenstein, Descrip. Animalium: 94 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Anas malacorhynchus Forster; Ellman 1861, Zoologist 19: 7471. Unjustified emendation.

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus; G.R. Gray, 1862: Ibis 4: 241. Unjustified emendation.

Hymenolaimus melacorhynchus; G.R. Gray; Anon. 1870, Cat. Colonial Mus.: 75. Unjustified emendation.

Fuligula (Hymenolaemus) malacorhyncha (Gmelin); Reichenow 1882, Ornith. Centralblatt: 5.

Hymenolaemus malacorhynchus (Gmelin); Hamilton 1909, Hand-list Birds New Zealand: 11. Unjustified emendation.

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus malacorhynchus (Gmelin); Mathews 1937, Emu 37: 32. Unjustified emendation.

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchus hymenolaimus Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 32 – North Island.

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos (Gmelin); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

New Zealand. North Island: mostly restricted to headwaters of some rivers in Bay of Plenty and rivers draining from central mountains and eastern ranges. Introduced to Taranaki Maunga / Egmont National Park 1999–2010 (Miskelly & Powlesland 2013). South Island: widespread in headwaters of rivers on western side of the Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana and in Fiordland and the Catlins, but declining. A few Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits and midden records from both North and South Islands. Vagrant to Auckland Islands / Maukahuka (five birds, 1883; Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020). Subspecies, as defined by Mathews (1937b), require validation (R. O’Brien, in Marchant & Higgins 1990: 1262) as reported size differences are unsupported by data, and plumage differences are subtle. Genetic variation between birds in the North and South Islands is minimal (Triggs et al. 1992; B. Robertson et al. 2003) and provides no evidence for distinct taxa.

Genus Anas Linnaeus

Anas Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 122 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas Boschas Linnaeus = Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus.

Anassus Rafinesque, 1815: Analyse de la Nature: 72. Unnecessary nomen novum for Anas Linnaeus 1758.

Mareca Stephens, 1824: in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 130 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Mareca fistularis Stephens = Anas penelope Linnaeus.

Querquedula Stephens, 1824: in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 142 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anas querquedula Linnaeus.

Nettion Kaup, 1829: Natürl. Syst.: 95 – Type species (by original designation) Anas crecca Linnaeus.

Boschas Swainson, 1831: Journ. Royal Inst. Great Britain 2: 20 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anas Boschas Linnaeus = Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus.

Nesonetta G.R. Gray, 1844: Gen. Birds 3: 627 – Type species (by original designation) Nesonetta aucklandica G.R. Gray = Anas aucklandica (G.R. Gray).

Virago Newton, 1872: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1871 (41): 651 – Type species (by original designation) Anas punctata Gould = Anas castanea (Eyton).

Elasmonetta Salvadori, 1895: Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. 27: 287 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas chlorotis G.R. Gray.

Xenonetta J.H. Fleming, 1935: Occas. Papers Roy. Ontario Mus., Zool. 1: 1 – Type species (by original designation) Xenonetta nesiotis J.H. Fleming = Anas nesiotis (J.H. Fleming).

Pachyanas Oliver, 1955: New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 599 – Type species (by original designation) Pachyanas chathamica Oliver = Anas chathamica (Oliver).

All New Zealand teal taxa were regarded as distinct species by most authorities in the first half of the 20th Century. However, in a review of the Anatidae, Delacour & Mayr (1945) advocated placing A. chlorotis as a subspecies of A. aucklandica. This was not followed by Oliver (1955); however, Checklist Committee (1953) took Delacour & Mayr’s suggestion a step further and included all the New Zealand teal as subspecies of Anas castanea. This arrangement was later dropped, and Delacour & Mayr’s treatment was followed (Checklist Committee 1970, 1990) with the Australian birds kept specifically distinct. Re-examination of the teal complex has since found widespread support for the specific distinction of each of the New Zealand teal in such features as skeletal morphology (Livezey 1990), plumage and behaviour (Marchant & Higgins 1990), allozyme electrophoresis (Daugherty et al. 1999) and DNA studies (Johnson & Sorenson 1998; Kennedy & Spencer 2000). We follow these authors, and Livezey (1997b) and Kear (2005) in recognising each of the New Zealand teal as full species. Kennedy & Spencer (2000) revealed that the genetic differences between them is greater than between their sister taxa, the grey and chestnut teals.

➤ Anas gracilis Buller
Grey Teal | Tētē-moroiti

Anas punctata, var. G.R. Gray, 1859: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1859 (27): 166 – New Caledonia. Junior primary homonym of Anas punctata Burchell, 1828.

Anas gracilis Buller, 1869: Ibis 5 (new series): 41 – Manawatu River area.

Mareca castanea Marie, 1870: Actes Société Linnéenne Bordeaux 27: 328 – New Caledonia. Junior primary homonym of Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838.

Anas gibberifrons; Anon. 1870, Cat. Colonial Mus.: 75. Not Anas (Mareca) gibberifrons S. Müller, 1842.

Virago castanea; Newton 1872, Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1871 (3): 651. Not Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838.

Anas (Virago) castanea; Ramsay 1877, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 2: 200. In part.

Anas castanea; Hutton 1880, Trans. Proc. N.Z. Inst. 12: 272. Not Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838.

Nettion castaneum; Hutton 1904, Index Faunae N.Z.: 36. Not Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838.

Nettion gibberifrons; Hutton 1904, Index Faunae N.Z.: 36. Not Anas (Mareca) gibberifrons S. Müller, 1842.

Nettium [sic] castaneum; Buller 1906, Suppl. Birds N.Z. 2: 10. Not Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838.

Nettium [sic] gibberifrons; Buller 1906, Suppl. Birds N.Z. 2: 10. Not Anas (Mareca) gibberifrons S. Müller, 1842.

Nettion castaneum rogersi Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec. 1: 86 – Parry’s Creek, Western Australia. Junior secondary homonym of Anas superciliosa rogersi Mathews, 1912.

Anas gibberifrons mathewsi J.C. Phillips, 1923: Nat. Hist. Ducks 2: 266. Nomen novum for Nettion castaneum rogersi Mathews, 1912.

Virago gibberifrons rogersi (Mathews); Mathews 1927, Syst. Avium Australasianarum 1: 216.

Virago gibberifrons gracilis (Buller); Mathews 1927, Syst. Avium Australasianarum 1: 216.

Querquedula gibberifrons; Oliver 1930, New Zealand Birds, 1st edition: 219. Not Anas (Mareca) gibberifrons S. Müller, 1842.

Anas gibberifrons gracilis Buller; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 34.

Anas gracilis gracilis Buller; Parker et al. 1985, Annot. Checklist Birds South Australia 2A, Waterfowl: 9.

Anas gracilis Buller; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 103.

New Guinea, Australia (including Tasmania), and New Zealand. Previously rare and local in New Zealand, but now well established throughout the country (C. Robertson et al. 2007). Identified from only a few Holocene deposits and midden sites (North, South, and Chatham Islands; Holdaway & Worthy 1997; Worthy 1998d, 1999b, 2004). Two at the Snares Islands / Tini Heke, Nov. 1987 (Miskelly et al. 2001a); 16 on Enderby Island, Auckland Islands / Maukahuka, Nov. 2011 (Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020); one on Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku, Oct. 2012 (Kyle Morrison in Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020).

➤ Anas castanea (Eyton)
Chestnut Teal

Mareca castanea Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 119, pl. 19 – New South Wales, Australia.

Anas punctata Gould, 1845: Birds of Australia 6: 11 – New South Wales, Australia. Junior primary homonym of Anas punctata Burchell, 1822.

Anas (Virago) castanea (Eyton); Ramsay 1877, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 2: 200.

Nettion castanea (Eyton); Salvadori 1895, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. 27: 252.

Virago castanea castanea (Eyton); Mathews 1916, Austral Avian Rec. 3(3): 56.

Virago castanea alexanderi Mathews, 1916: Austral Avian Rec. 3(3): 56 – South-west Australia.

Anas castanea castanea (Eyton); Ripley 1942, Auk 59: 91.

Anas castanea (Eyton); J. Moore & Moore 1992, Notornis 39: 290.

Australia (including Tasmania). First New Zealand record from Manawatu River estuary in Jun. 1991 (J. Moore & Moore 1992; Guest 1992); three more seen at the same site May–Jul. 1992 (J. Moore & Moore 1992). Since then, recorded almost annually at Manawatu estuary 1993–2003, but also at Karitane, Otago, Jan. 1993 and Kowhai River, Canterbury, Aug. 1993 (Medway 2000b, 2001d, 2003b), and Coatesville, North Auckland, Oct. 2003 (Scofield 2008). Three records of single birds since 2010: Bromley, Christchurch, Mar. 2010; Mangere, Auckland, May 2010; Invercargill Oct. 2018 (Miskelly et al. 2011; Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2021).

➤ †Anas chathamica (Oliver)
Chatham Island Duck

Pachyanas chathamica Oliver, 1955: New Zealand Birds, 2nd edition: 599 – Chatham Islands.

Anas chathamica (Oliver); Mitchell et al. 2014, Mol. Phyl. Evol. 70: 427.

Known from Holocene remains from the Chatham Islands. Mitchell, Wood et al. (2014) used mitochondrial DNA and osteological characters to show that the Chatham Island duck is nested within Anas, and is most closely related to the New Zealand/subantarctic ‘brown teals’. The monotypic genus Pachyanas Oliver, 1955, therefore becomes a junior synonym of Anas Linnaeus, 1758, and the Chatham Island duck should be referred to as Anas chathamica.

➤ Anas chlorotis G.R. Gray
Brown Teal | Pāteke

Anas chlorotis G.R. Gray, 1845: in Richardson & J.E. Gray (Eds), Zool. Voy. ‘Erebus’ & ‘Terror’, Birds 1(8): 15, pl. 20 – New Zealand, restricted to North Island (fide Mathews 1937, Emu 37: 31).

Elasmonetta chlorotis (G.R. Gray); Hutton 1904, Index Faunae N.Z.: 36.

Elasmonetta chlorotis chlorotis (G.R. Gray); Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 31.

Elasmonetta chlorotis peculiaris Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 31 – Lake Wakatipu, Otago.

Anas castanea chlorotis G.R. Gray; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Anas aucklandica chlorotis G.R. Gray; Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 103.

Anas chlorotis G.R. Gray; Holdaway et al. 2001, New Zealand Journ. Zool. 28(2): 130, 177.

New Zealand. Originally widely distributed in lowland swamps and swamp forests of both main islands and Stewart Island / Rakiura, where it was the most common duck species in pre-human deposits (Worthy 2002a, 2004); now rare and localised. Persists on Great Barrier Island / Aotea and Hauturu / Little Barrier Islands; small local groups in Northland (Whirinaki, Helena Bay, Whangaruru Harbour, and south side of Bay of Islands); also occasional sightings in Fiordland. Not seen on Stewart Island since 1980. Successfully introduced to Kapiti, Tiritiri Matangi, and Mana Islands, Urupukapuka and Moturoa (Bay of Islands), Mayor Island / Tuhua, and to Zealandia / Karori Sanctuary, Port Charles, Tawaharanui, Cape Kidnappers, Lake Rotokare (Taranaki), Clinton Valley (Fiordland), and Awaroa Inlet, Abel Tasman National Park (Miskelly & Powlesland 2013; M. Williams 2020). Natural deposits and midden records from North, South, and Chatham Islands (Worthy 2002a). One bird recorded extra-limitally in New Caledonia three years in succession (Delacour 1965).

➤ Anas aucklandica (G.R. Gray)
Auckland Island Teal | Metawetanga

Nesonetta aucklandica G.R. Gray, 1845: in Richardson & J.E. Gray (Eds), Zool. Voy. ‘Erebus’ & ‘Terror’, Birds 1(8): 16 – Auckland Islands, restricted to Laurie Harbour (fide Miskelly & Taylor 2020, Notornis 67: 19).

Nesonetta Aucklandica G.R. Gray; Anon. 1870, Cat. Colonial Mus.: 75.

Erismatura (Nesonetta) aucklandica Reichenow 1882; Ornith. Centralblatt: 4. Junior secondary homonym of Nesonetta aucklandica G.R. Gray, 1845.

Anas castanea aucklandica (G.R. Gray); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Anas aucklandica aucklandica (G.R. Gray); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 104.

Anas aucklandica (G.R. Gray); Holdaway et al. 2001, New Zealand Journ. Zool. 28(2): 130, 177.

Auckland Islands / Maukahuka: currently on Adams, Disappointment, Enderby, Rose, Ewing, Ocean, Frenchs, and Dundas Islands (Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020). Holocene bones, including midden material, have been found in dunes on Enderby Island (Tennyson 2020a).

➤ Anas nesiotis (J.H. Fleming)
Campbell Island Teal

Xenonetta nesiotis J.H. Fleming, 1935: Occas. Papers Roy. Ontario Mus., Zool. 1: 1 – Campbell Island.

Anas castanea nesiotis (J.H. Fleming); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Anas aucklandica nesiotis (J.H. Fleming); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 104.

Anas nesiotis (J.H. Fleming); Holdaway et al. 2001, New Zealand Journ. Zool. 28(2): 130, 177.

Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku. Between 1840 and 2004, survived only on a closely adjacent islet (Dent Island) where it was rediscovered in 1975, with a total population probably less than 30. The history of the species, its distribution, and taxonomy was provided by M. Williams & Robertson (1996). Reintroduced to Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku in 2004 following successful eradication of rats. Since 1999 a population derived from translocated birds has been wild on Codfish Island / Whenua Hou. This was intended to be temporary to rebuild numbers for transfer to Campbell Island / Motu Ihupuku; however, owing to the birds’ success in breeding on the island and their cryptic nature, removal was abandoned (McClelland 2002a; Checklist Committee 2010).

➤ Anas acuta Linnaeus
Northern Pintail

Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 126 – Europe, restricted to Sweden (fide Linnaeus 1761, Fauna Svecica, 2nd edition: 44).

Anas acuta Linnaeus; Petyt 1999, Notornis 46: 298.

The most widespread waterfowl species in the Northern Hemisphere, with vagrants reaching Micronesia and Polynesia (Kear 2005), and one record from Australia (Marchant & Higgins 1990: 1302). New Zealand records from Farewell Spit, Oct. 1997 (Petyt 1999; Medway 2000a), and Invercargill, Oct. 2021 (Unusual Bird Report database, http://rare.birds.org.nz/, viewed Feb. 2022).

➤ *Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus
Mallard | Rakiraki

Northern Hemisphere, from North America, North Africa, and Europe to Asia, Hawai’ian Islands, and Laysan Island. Seven subspecies.

*Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnaeus
Mallard | Rakiraki

Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 125 – Europe, restricted to Sweden (fide Linnaeus 1761, Fauna Svecica, 2nd edition: 42).

Anas boschas Linnaeus, 1766: Syst. Nat., 12th edition 1: 205 – Europe.

Anas boschas Linnaeus; Hutton 1871, Cat. Birds N.Z.: 68.

Anas boscas [sic] Linnaeus; Thomson 1922, Naturalisation Animals Plants New Zealand: 101.

Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos Linnaeus; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Breeds in arctic and temperate regions of North America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia, wintering in southern North America, Central America, North Africa, and south Asia. Introduced to New Zealand from the United Kingdom (1865–1920s) and North America (1937) and reared extensively for release until the 1960s. Now the most numerous and widespread waterfowl in New Zealand. Established on Chatham, Snares / Tini Heke, Auckland / Maukahuka, Campbell / Motu Ihupuku, and Antipodes Islands, and most offshore islands. Birds banded in New Zealand have reached New Caledonia on several occasions, as well as Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, South Australia, and Vanuatu (Anon. 2018).

➤ Anas superciliosa Gmelin
Grey Duck | Pārera

Anas superciliosa Gmelin, 1789: Syst. Nat., 13th edition 1(2): 537. Based on the “Supercilious Duck” of Latham 1785, Gen. Synop. Birds 3: 497 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Anas leucophrys J.R. Forster, 1844: in M.H.C. Lichtenstein, Descrip. Animalium: 93 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Anas novaehollandiae Stokes, 1846: Discoveries Australia 1 (App.): 483. Nomen nudum.

Anas mülleri Bonaparte, 1856: Compt. Rend. Séa. Acad. Sci., Paris 43: 649 – Java and Timor, Indonesia.

Anas superciliosa G.R. Gray, 1859: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1859 (2): 166 – New Caledonia. Junior primary homonym and junior synonym of Anas superciliosa Gmelin, 1789.

Anas superciliosa var. pelewensis Hartlaub & Finsch, 1872: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1872 (7): 108 – Pelew [= Palau] Islands.

Anas superciliaris Gmelin; Layard 1880, Ibis 4 (4th series): 233. Unjustified emendation.

Anas oustaleti Salvadori, 1894: Bull. Brit. Ornith. Club 4: 1 – Marianas Islands, Pacific Ocean. Hybrid between Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus and Anas superciliosa Gmelin.

Anas superciliosa rogersi Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec.1: 33 – Augusta, Western Australia.

Anas superciliosa percna Riley, 1919: Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 32: 93 – Celebes (= Sulawesi), Indonesia.

Anas novaehollandiae Mathews, 1920: Check-list Birds Australia: 58 (ex Stokes, 1846).

Anas superciliosus rukensis Kuroda, 1939: Geese & Ducks World, text to pl. 52 – Truk, Caroline Islands, Pacific Ocean.

Anas superciliosa superciliosa Gmelin; Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Anas superciliosa Gmelin; Marchant & Higgins 1990, HANZAB 1: 1320.

South Pacific (Palau to Austral Islands), Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. Three subspecies sometimes recognised (A. s. superciliosa, A. s. pelewensis, A. s. rogersi). Marchant & Higgins (1990) did not support the subspecific distinction of New Zealand and Australian birds as they do not differ in size or plumage. This lack of distinction was supported by DNA studies indicating mixing of the Australian and New Zealand populations (Rhymer et al. 2004); however, a distinct haplotype is present in some New Zealand birds. Subspecific distinction is not considered warranted (Kear 2005).

New Zealand and outlying islands (Kermadec / Rangitāhua, Chatham, Snares / Tini Heke, Auckland / Maukahuka, Antipodes, Campbell / Motu Ihupuku, and Macquarie Islands). A declining species, suffering from loss of habitat, and from hybridisation and competition with mallards in modified wetlands. Most numerous in Northland and Westland. Widespread in natural deposits and midden deposits in North, South, and Chatham Islands, but abundant in lacustrine sites only.

Genus Spatula Boie

Spatula Boie, 1822: Isis von Oken, Heft 5: col. 564 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas clypeata Linnaeus = Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).

Rhynchaspis Stephens, 1824: in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 114 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas clypeata Linnaeus = Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).

Rhynchoplatus Berthold, 1827: in Latreille, Nat. Fam. Thierreich: 84 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas clypeata Linnaeus = Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).

Clypeata Lesson, 1828: Manuel d’Ornith. 2: 416 – Type species (by original designation) Anas clypeata Linnaeus = Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).

Spathulea J.D.D. Fleming, 1828: Hist. Brit. Anim. 123 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas clypeata Linnaeus = Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus).

We follow Gonzales et al. (2009) and Dickinson & Remsen (2013) in placing shovelers in the genus Spatula (cf. Anas used in previous New Zealand checklists).

➤ Spatula rhynchotis (Latham)
Australasian Shoveler | Kuruwhengi

Anas rhynchotis Latham, 1801: Index Ornith. Suppl.: lxx – New South Wales, Australia.

Rhynchaspis rhynchotis (Latham): Stephens 1824, in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 123.

Spatula rhynchotis (Latham); G.R. Gray 1843, in E. Dieffenbach, Travels in N.Z. 2: 198.

Spatula variegata Gould, 1856: Proc. Zool. Soc. London 1856 (24): 95 – New Zealand.

Anas rhynchotes Latham; Ellman 1861, Zoologist 19: 7471. Unjustified emendation.

Rhynchaspis variegata (Gould); Buller 1888 (Dec.), History of the Birds of N.Z., 2nd edition 2 (part 12): 269.

Spatula rhynchotis rhynchotis (Latham); Mathews 1912, Novit. Zool. 18(3): 238.

Spatula rhynchotis variegata (Gould); Mathews & Iredale 1913, Ibis 1 (10th series): 409.

Spatula rhynchotis dydimus Mathews, 1916: Austral Avian Rec. 3: 56 – south-western Australia.

Sptaula [sic] rhynchotis (Latham); Oliver 1930, New Zealand Birds, 1st edition: 224. Misspelling.

Anas rhynchotis variegata (Gould); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Anas rhynchotis rhynchotis Latham; Condon 1975, Checklist Birds Australia 1: 71.

Anas rhynchotis Latham; Marchant & Higgins 1990, HANZAB 1: 1340.

Australia and New Zealand. Australian and New Zealand populations were formerly treated as separate subspecies (e.g. Checklist Committee 1990). However, Marchant & Higgins (1990) questioned the distinction of the Australian and New Zealand birds, and Kear (2005) did not accept their subspecific distinction. In view of their extreme mobility it seems unlikely that the populations are separate. We follow Fullagar (in Kear 2005) in treating the species as monotypic.

New Zealand. Throughout both main islands; formerly on Chatham Islands (where still vagrant; Miskelly et al. 2006). Vagrant to Stewart Island / Rakiura; Auckland Islands / Maukahuka, Oct. 1943, Mar. 2003, and Dec. 2015 (5 birds) (Miskelly, Elliott et al. 2020); Snares Islands / Tini Heke, May 1997 (Miskelly et al. 2001a). Natural deposits and midden records from scattered sites throughout range. There is a 6,000-year-old record from Lake Poukawa (Worthy 2004), contra earlier reports that the taxon was a recent arrival in New Zealand (e.g. Worthy & Holdaway 2002).

➤ Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus)
Northern Shoveler

Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758: Syst. Nat., 10th edition 1: 124 – coasts of Europe, restricted to southern Sweden (fide Linnaeus 1761, Fauna Svecica, 2nd edition: 42).

Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus); Boie 1822: Isis von Oken, Heft 10: col. 564.

Anas clypeata Linnaeus; Checklist Committee 1970, Annot. Checklist Birds N.Z.: 38.

Europe, Asia, and North America; migrating south to Africa, southern and south-east Asia, Hawai’i, and Central and South America. Regularly straggles to Micronesia and rarely to Polynesia, Australia, and Norfolk Island (one record). About 30 records in New Zealand; seven during 1968–1995, and the rest following an influx in 2017–18, when at least five birds were present (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2019): Mangatawhiri swamp, lower Waikato, May 1968 (P. Howard 1968); Lake Ngakawau, near Lake Horowhenua, May 1969; Lake Horowhenua, Aug. 1971 (Kinsky & Jones 1972; Stidolph 1974a); Pauri Lake, Whanganui, Aug. 1989 (2 birds, Battley 1991); Kaikorai Estuary, Otago, May 1990 (Guest 1991); Matata Lagoon, Bay of Plenty, May 1993; Gisborne, Jun.–Jul. 1995 (Medway 2000a); 2 birds, Invercargill, Oct. 2017; 2 birds, Miranda, Firth of Thames, May–Jun. 2018; Wakapuaka (Nelson), Porangahau estuary (Hawke’s Bay), and Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora (2 birds), Jun. 2018; Wakapuaka, Lake Ellesmere, and Invercargill Oct. 2018 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2019); Bromley, Christchurch, Apr. 2019; Pegasus wet land, North Canterbury, May 2019; Lake Ellesmere, Jun. 2019; Te Aroha, Aug. 2019; Otaki, and Lake Elterwater (Marlborough), Sep. 2019; Waituna Lagoon, Southland, Nov. 2019; Pegasus wetland, North Canterbury May–Aug. 2020; Lake Rotomahana, Rotorua, Jul. 2020 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2021).

Tribe AYTHYINI Delacour & Mayr: Scaup

Aythinini Delacour & Mayr, 1945: Wilson Bull. 57(1): 26 – Type genus Aythya Boie, 1822.

Genus Aythya Boie

Aythya Boie, 1822 (before May): Tagebuch Reise Norwegen: 308, 351 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas marila Linnaeus = Aythya marila (Linnaeus).

Nyroca J.D.D. Fleming, 1822 (Jun.): Phil. Zool. 2: 260 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anas nyroca Güldenstädt = Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt).

Fuligula Stephens, 1824: in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 187 – Type species (by tautonymy) Anas fuligula Linnaeus = Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus).

Fulix Sundevall, 1836: Kungl. Svenska Vetenskapsakad. Handl. 1835: 129 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas fuligula Linnaeus = Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus).

Marila Reichenbach, 1852: Avium Syst. Nat.: 8 – Type species (by monotypy) Anas ferina Linnaeus = Aythya ferina (Linnaeus).

Ilyonetta Heine & Reichenow, 1890: Nom. Mus. Hein. Ornith.: 347. Unnecessary nomen novum for Nyroca J.D.D. Fleming, 1822.

Perissonetta Oberholser, 1920: Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci.: 110 – Type species (by subsequent designation) Anas collaris Donovan = Aythya collaris (Donovan).

Zeafulix Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 32 – Type species (by original designation) Anas novaeseelandiae Gmelin = Aythya novaeseelandiae (Gmelin).

Sorenson & Fleischer (1996) investigated the intraspecific relationships of Aythya with mtDNA analyses and found that A. novaeseelandiae is the sister taxon to A. fuligula.

➤ Aythya australis (Eyton)
Australian White-eyed Duck | Karakahia

Nyroca australis Eyton, 1838: Monograph Anatidae: 160 – Australia, restricted to New South Wales (fide Mathews 1912, Novit. Zool. 18(3): 239).

Nyroca nyroca dampieri Mathews, 1912: Austral Avian Rec. 1: 87 – Fitzroy River, Western Australia.

Aythya australis ledeboeri Bartels & Franck, 1938: Treubia 16: 337 – East Java, Indonesia.

Aythya australis australis (Eyton); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

Aythya australis (Eyton); Checklist Committee 1990, Checklist Birds N.Z.: 106.

Australia (mainly south-east and Tasmania); nomadic. Ranging as far as eastern Java, Sulawesi, and New Guinea, with a possibly distinct subspecies (A. a. extima) on Banks Islands (Vanuatu) and New Caledonia, but these populations may not be resident and may represent part of the species’ nomadic range. Established in New Zealand for about 30 years, 1867–95 (F. Hutton 1870; Oliver 1955). Since then the only records are: Hamurana, 1934; flock of eight, Runanga Lake, Hawke’s Bay, May 1973 (Anon. 1973); Western Springs, Auckland, Apr. 1980 (Jowett 1980); Snares Islands / Tini Heke, Aug.–Sep. 1981 (Miskelly et al. 2001a); two, Lake Ryan, Cobden, Greymouth, Feb. 1994 (Medway 2000a); New Plymouth, Oct. 2001 (Medway 2002d); Bromley, Christchurch, Dec. 2005 (Scofield 2006); Kaiapoi Lakes, North Canterbury, Apr. 2012 & May 2013 (Miskelly et al. 2013, 2015); Foxton Beach, Nov. 2013; Blenheim, Apr. 2015 (Miskelly, Crossland et al. 2017).

➤ Aythya novaeseelandiae (Gmelin)
New Zealand Scaup | Pāpango

Anas novae Seelandiae Gmelin, 1789: Syst. Nat., 13th edition 1(2): 541. Based on the “New-Zealand Duck” of Latham 1785, Gen. Synop. Birds 3(2): 543 – New Zealand, restricted to Dusky Sound, Fiordland (fide G. Forster 1777, Voyage World 1: 168).

Anas Novae Zealandiae Gmelin; Latham 1790, Index Ornith. 2: 870. Unjustified emendation.

Fuligula novae zealandiae (Gmelin); Stephens 1824, in Shaw, General Zool. 12(2): 210. Unjustified emendation.

Fuligula Novae Zealandiae (Gmelin); G.R. Gray 1843, in E. Dieffenbach, Travels in N.Z. 2: 198. Unjustified emendation.

Anas atricilla J.R. Forster, 1844: in M.H.C. Lichtenstein, Descrip. Animalium: 95 – Dusky Sound, Fiordland.

Marila novaezelandiae (Gmelin); Bonaparte 1856, Compt. Rend. Séa. Acad. Sci., Paris 43: 651. Unjustified emendation.

Anas atra Ellman, 1861: Zoologist 19: 7471 – New Zealand.

Fuligula Novae Zelandiae Gmelin [sic]; Anon. 1870, Cat. Colonial Mus.: 75. Unjustified emendation.

Fulix novae seelandiae (Gmelin); G.R. Gray 1871, Hand-list Birds 3: 86.

Fuligula novae zealandiae (Gmelin); Buller 1872 (Dec.), History of the Birds of N.Z., 1st edition (part 4): 259. Unjustified emendation.

Fuligula novae-zealandiae (Gmelin); Hutton 1904, Index Faunae N.Z.: 37. Unjustified emendation.

Fuligula novaeseelandiae (Gmelin); Mathews & Iredale 1913, Ibis 1 (10th series): 410.

Fuligula novae-seelandiae (Gmelin); Mathews 1930, Emu 29: 281.

Nyroca novaeseelandiae (Gmelin); Peters 1931, Check-list Birds World 1: 175.

Zeafulix novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae (Gmelin); Mathews 1937, Emu 37: 32.

Zeafulix novaeseelandiae maui Mathews, 1937: Emu 37: 32 – North Island.

Aythya novaeseelandiae (Gmelin); Checklist Committee 1953, Checklist N.Z. Birds: 35.

New Zealand. Lagoons and lakes, including mountain lakes and numerous small coastal ponds and sand-dune lakes, in both North and South Islands. Numbers reduced following settlement, but species has colonised hydro lakes in both islands and has been successfully reintroduced to small lakes within its former range. Natural deposits and midden records from widely distributed sites in both main islands and the Chatham Islands.