Abstract
Young, H.G. 1999. Comparative study of the courtship displays of Meller's Duck Anus melleri, Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata and Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos. Ostrich 70(2): 117–122
The little-known Meller's Duck Anas melleri is a monochromatic species endemic to Madagascar that has been linked to the Northern Mallard A. platyrhynchos, or the African Yellowbilled Duck A. undulata. This study compared group courtship between these species, and analysed the structure and duration of the main display components, the grunt-whistle, head-up-tail-up and down-up. Meller's Duck differed significantly from the other species, and lacked a down-up display. Meller's Duck shows some behavioural similarities to the African Black Duck A. sparsa.