Anas laysanensis

HABITAT:
The entire island of Laysan, including seashore, brackish lagoon and dense brush.

DISTRIBUTION:
Laysan Island (a western island in the Hawaiian archipelago).

SIZE AND APPEARANCE:
Small, reddish-brown with a blackish-brown head and white patch around the eye.

DIET:
Brine flies, moths and brine shrimp.

MISC:
Better known as the Laysan Teal, this species was among the first species listed in the United States as endangered.

PROJECT NOTES:
The Laysan Duck has the most restricted range of any duck species and is one of the most endangered of birds. The species once inhabited the entire Hawaiian archipelago, but is now restricted to Laysan Island, a 914-acre, predator-free coral island. Clearly, having the entire population relegated to one small Pacific island with an extremely harsh environment makes the survival of the species uncertain at best. For this reason, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a plan under consideration that may utilize translocated or captive-bred birds to another suitable island.

MIKE'S COMMENTS:
We are definitely interested in expanding a breeding program for the Laysan Duck. Maintaining a sizable flock at Sylvan Heights will help assure their future, especially considering their tenuous foothold on Laysan Island and possible reintroduction to another island.

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