Atuikopeca

Atuikopeca (mareanasidae) are a small family of ducks descended from mallards. Their name translates to sea-mallard in Ainu. They can be found along the coasts of East Asia, the Arctic Circle, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. Their wings are a dark blue, their tail feathers are black, and the rest of the feathers are green. They measure in at 3 and a half feet tall with a one foot wingspan. 

Like cormorants, Atuikopeca are semiaquatic and flightless. Their feet are still webbed to propel themselves through the water while they steer with their short flipper-like wings. They can stay underwater for up to 6 minutes without having to surface for air due to an increased lung capacity and better O2 management. Their feathers are watertight to keep the ducks from freezing at night. Atuikopeca are also constant preeners to make sure that their feathers are adept at protecting them from the elements.

While underwater, they feed on small fish, crustaceans, and kelp. Rather than dabbling like their ancestors, Atuikopeca into the sea from their nesting grounds. Feeding would be a dangerous endeavor if not for the fact that Atuikopeca travel in large groups. Each flock is made up of about 200 individuals.

Breeding Season lasts from late Summer to late fall. Males and females will get extremely aggressive when it comes to mating with constant fights to the death over who gets to reproduce. The nests are made out of kelp and driftwood. The two parents will take turns watching over the nests to prevent rivals from attacking and brood parasites from planting eggs. Due to the constant fighting as well as predation, they reproduce fast and in large quantities to make up for their losses. Females lay about 16 eggs biannually and only 2-3 of the ducklings survive to adulthood.