Pacific Black Duck

Images ©:

Pacific Black Duck - Michael Seyfort | Pacific Black Duck - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann

Anas superciliosa

Predominantly brown with each feather edged in a buff colour. Size 48-60 cm.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Duck
Other Common Names
Black Duck
Biology

Breeding season from June to January in southern Australia. Nests in tree hollows or undergrowth. Clutch size is between 7 and 12 eggs and incubation is approximately 30 days. Parental care is by the female. Often 2 broods are raised each year.
Distinctive Markings

Bold, black stripe running across the face from bill to behind the eye. Bright, glossy, green patch in secondary flight feathers.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Anas
Species
superciliosa
Found in all but the most arid regions of Australia. Range extends through the Pacific region.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Although this species is commonly called a black duck, the only black coloration is a stripe through the face from behind the eye to the bill.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Mainly vegetarian eating the seeds of aquatic plants. Diet is supplemented with small invertebrates including molluscs and aquatic insects.
Habitat

Frequents all types of water, from isolated forest pools to tidal mudflats. Found in urban areas.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
The male has a quick "raab raabraaab" when disturbed or a whispered "fraank fraank" or loud "peep". The female has a descending "quark, quark, quark" or persistent quacks.