White-backed Duck

Taxobox
name = White-backed Duck

---

image_width = 240px
status = LC
status_system =iucn3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Anseriformes
familia = Anatidae
subfamilia = Thalassorninae
genus = "Thalassornis"
genus_authority = Eyton, 1838
species = "T. leuconotus"
binomial = "Thalassornis leuconotus"
binomial_authority = Eyton, 1838
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision =
* "T. l. leuconotus" (African White-backed Duck)
* "T. l. insularis" (Madagascar White-backed Duck)

The White-backed Duck ("Thalassornis leuconotus") is a waterbird of the family Anatidae. It is distinct from all other ducks, but most closely related to the whistling ducks in the subfamily Dendrocygninae, though also showing some similarities to the stiff-tailed ducks in the subfamily Oxyurinae. It is the only member of the genus "Thalassornis".

These birds are well adapted for diving. On occasions they have been observed to stay under water for up to half a minute. They search especially for the bulbs of waterlilies. From danger, they also escape preferentially by diving; hence, the namesake white back is hardly visible in life.

White-backed Ducks live in southern Africa, especially between Senegal and Chad in the west and Ethiopia and South Africa in the east. Their habitat consists of lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes where they are well camouflaged against predators.

There are two subspecies, "Thalassornis leuconotus leuconotus" and "Thalassornis leuconotus insularis". The latter lives entirely on Madagascar and is considered to be endangered by hunting, habitat loss and the introduction of competing exotic species.

The White-backed Duck is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" (AEWA) applies.

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern