Scarlett's duck facts for kids

Scarlett's duck (Malacorhynchus scarletti) was a type of duck that is now extinct. It lived in New Zealand a long time ago. This duck was a close relative of the pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus), which still lives in Australia today.

Scientists named Scarlett's duck after Ron Scarlett. He was a New Zealand expert who studied birds (an ornithologist) and old fossils (a palaeontologist). He found the first main fossil of this duck in 1941. However, some older bones of the duck, found in 1903, were later rediscovered in the Otago Museum in 1998.

About Scarlett's Duck

What Was Scarlett's Duck Like?

Scarlett's duck was quite a bit bigger than its Australian cousin. It weighed about 800 grams, which is twice as much as a pink-eared duck.

Scientists think Scarlett's duck moved around a lot. It probably didn't stay in one place for long. It also might have been quite protective of its own space. In contrast, the pink-eared duck often lives in very large groups, sometimes with thousands of birds.

What Did Scarlett's Duck Eat?

Just like the pink-eared duck, Scarlett's duck had a wide, flat beak. This special beak suggests it was a filter feeder. This means it would have used its beak to strain tiny food particles from shallow water.

Where Were Its Fossils Found?

Scientists have found at least 32 fossil remains of Scarlett's duck. These fossils were discovered in different places in New Zealand. Some were found in Pyramid Valley and at Ngapara in the South Island. Others were found at Lake Poukawa in the North Island. These valuable fossils are now kept in museums.

Why Did Scarlett's Duck Disappear?

Fossils of Scarlett's duck have also been found in old rubbish piles, called middens. These middens were left by early Māori settlers. They were found at places like the Wairau Bar and Lake Grassmere in the Marlborough area. This shows that the early Polynesian settlers hunted these ducks a lot.

It is believed that Scarlett's duck became extinct around the 16th century.