Peganica - Atayka

Pegan.

A large waterfowl of the duck family (weight 1.0-1.5 kg) characterized by distinctive plumage with a combination of white, reddish, gray, and black colors. On the main white background, the black head and reddish-brown band across the chest stand out. The bill is red, with a bulge on the forehead in males. It swims well, and only the chicks dive. It flies silently. During migration, it travels in large flocks, in a wedge or an expanded front. The voice is a dull, soft quacking like "gaga-gaga," and in spring, the male whistles like "vhi-oo" or "tsvie-tsvie."

Depending on the habitat, it can be sedentary, migratory, or partially migratory. The pegan inhabits the shores of predominantly saline or brackish water bodies, less often freshwater ones, usually with sandy shores or rocky slopes that are suitable for burrowing.

It nests from April to July. Pegan usually builds nests in burrows, often up to 3-4 meters long (using old burrows, mainly of foxes). Nests can also be found in rock crevices, on riverbanks, in ruins, or sometimes simply on the ground among reeds or saltworts. Nests, abundantly lined with down, can be located up to 1 km from the water. The clutch consists of 8-10 creamy-white eggs. Due to a lack of burrows, sometimes several females lay eggs in one nest, resulting in several dozen eggs accumulating. The eggs are grayish-white, weighing up to 80 g. Only the female incubates the eggs for 27-29 days. After hatching, the ducklings are led to the lake by their parents, sometimes 2-3 km from the nest. The newly hatched chicks are covered in down and are quite independent, feeding alongside their parents in the water bodies. In lakes, broods often merge.

Monogamous. Reaches sexual maturity only in the second year of life.

Feeds on small crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic insects. In winter, it also consumes plant foods.

Not afraid of humans and allows them to approach closely.

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