This species has highly powerful back webbed feet that make them particularly skilled swimmers. The threat posture for this species is the male will drop its head down to the ground offensively. This species is the most widespread waterfowl species of New Zealand. Interestingly enough, this species has a number of parasites including trematodes and tapeworms. The chicks of this species are highly awesome-looking in my opinion.
@CheeseChameleon2007 The drake in this photo is highly aggressive towards people. It’s easy to get a close up photo as he charges at the fence every time someone walks past.
It is quite literally a Paradise shelduck male. Its orange neck and white stripe would be visible in this pose, but they are not. White feathers instead of a hint of green, and a bushier black ruff.
@Escher Nicholls Yes it's near the Siamang exhibit. He (or an equally psychotic Paradise shelduck drake) used to live in the Wetlands Walk; but there's a Cape Barren goose in that exhibit now (likely the one housed with the Brazilian tapir, while they were still alive).
