Zebra duck (SciiFii)

''Not to be confused with the pink-eared duck, which is also known as the zebra duck.

The zebra duck (Mergellus americanum), also known as the American smew, is a species of duck of the genus Mergellus that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relative of the zebra duck is the similarly-looking Eurasian smew (Mergellus albellus). The male zebra duck, with its 'cracked ice' and 'panda' appearance, is unmistakable, and looks very black-and-white in flight. The females and immature males are grey birds with chestnut foreheads and crowns, and can be confused at a distance with the ruddy duck; they are often known as "redhead" zebra duck. It has oval white wing-patches in flight. The zebra duck's bill has a hooked tip and serrated edges, which help it catch fish when it dives for them. The zebra duck is 38–44 centimeters (15–17 inches) long, with a wingspan of 56–69 cm, and a weight 450–650 grams. Zebra ducks are not aggressive with each other or other species, so they can live in a mixed flock of waterfowl. Zebra ducks and mergansers do not hybridize, unlike Eurasian smews, so both kinds of waterfowls can coexist for many generations. Zebra ducks are effective divers and eat lots of fish and aquatic invertebrates in the wild. The zebra ducks are less dependent on trees for breeding, unlike Eurasian smews, and they often make burrows or shallow holes in the ground to make nests to lay their eggs before covering them with vegetation. The zebra duck breeds in May and lays 7-12-17 cream-colored eggs, incubated by the female for 26–28 days. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching and learn to fly within about 10 weeks. The conservation status of the zebra duck is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the zebra duck's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.