African Pygmy Goose

Nettapus auritus

Range

• Central through south Africa

Habitat

• Ponds & lakes

Diet

• Seeds
• Aquatic insects
• Small fish

Despite its name, this tiny bird is a duck and not a goose. It is one of the smallest waterfowl in the world and one of the few that can perch in trees.

This omnivore prefers quiet, reedy water for feeding and defense. When predators draw near, its natural coloration allows this quiet duck to blend into the surrounding plant life.