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WillemSvdMerwe —
Pygmy Geese
#african #geese #goose #pygmy #auritus #nettapus
Published: 2019-09-03 20:28:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 4563; Favourites: 372; Downloads: 25
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Description
They have stubby, goose-like bills, but African pygmy geese, Nettapus auritus, are actually not geese but true ducks, close relatives of dabbling ducks. They're the smallest members of the duck family. They breed in holes in trees, like the related Mandarin and American Wood Ducks. They are found all over sub-Saharan Africa on suitable waterbodies. They swim among the waterlilies, eating the flowers and the pods. The male is in front here, the female in the back. Acrylic painting.Related content
Comments: 64
This is such an amazing piece 
you've rendered them beautifully with those flowers and waterlilies
Congrats on the more than deserved DD
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Thank you! They're great!
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Thank you very much, it was a great surprise!
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Very nicely done!!
Congratulations on your much deserved DD! 
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Thanks very much, I'm so honoured!
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The smallest of all ducks? How little are they? It's hard imaging waterfowl smaller than our teals.
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Hi! Only about 12"-13" in total length, and 100 oz. or so in weight.
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Small indeed. Are they hunted?
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Well ... shooting ducks isn't really a 'thing' here like it is in the USA. Most folks would just be delighted to see one of these. They're not at all common.
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Oh, I misunderstood the description. Thought they were very common.
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They are very widespread, but only actually common in very few places, one being the Okavango Swamps of Botswana.
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Beautiful art, and thanks for the information about these too!
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Thanks, glad you appreciate!
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So, Africa does have its own native ducks. That's good to know. 
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Hi! Yes lotsa ducks here. Ours are a tad drab actually compared to Eurasian and American ducks, but we have a few 'flashy' ones like these. Thanks!
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I daresay they drive people quackers. They inspire ideas, and I'm not a birder or a big duck fan.
There's a company on the US Avon that's produced and distributed collectible stuff over the decades, and one of the series from 1984 was a six-duck set in a swimming/decoy-like pose. Of course, all were North American species like the canvasback, bufflehead, or green-winged teal. Coupled with another six-duck series of mini-scuilptures of American species in their natural environments and , I got to wondering why not ducks from other parts of the world? Why not ducks of Europe? Or Asia? Or Africa? (Of course, that does leave Antarctica out on the cold, but that's to be expected.)
Of course, the obvious solution is to make them myself, but unfortunately, I currently lack the modeling skill and ambition to pull it off. Such is life.
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You're welcome.
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Glad you do, thanks!
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You're very welcome!❤️😊.
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