Food of the Chestnut Teal, Anas Castanea, in the Gippsland Lakes Region of Victoria.

Abstract

Items of food in gizzards of 124 chestnut teal (Anas castanea) shot in the Gippsland Lakes area, Victoria, between August 1971 and July 1973, were identified as far as practicable, and percentage volumes were estimated. Plant remains formed most (74%) of the material identified in almost all months; members of the Cyperaceae were well represented (22%) and Ruppia sp. were also abundant (5%). Animal material was usually from insects, but molluscs and crustaceans were also recorded. It is concluded that the species feeds opportunistically in, and mainly around the edge of, wetlands in the region.