Thalassornis leuconotus
The White-backed Duck lives in sub-Saharan Africa. It can stay under water for up to half a minute, looking for food such as seeds and water plants from the bottom of body waters up to 180 cm deep. The white back that gives this duck its name can be seen only while flying.
The above picture was taken at the zoo of Cologne, Germany, in July 2011.
Genus Thalassornis
Tribe Dendrocygnini
Subfamily Anserinae
Family Anatidae
Order Anseriformes
Class Aves
Subphylum Vertebrata
Phylum Chordata
Kingdom Animalia
Life on Earth
Index