Pacific Black Duck
Anas superciliosa· 鸭科(4 photos)
Pacific Black Duck
48-60 cm; span 80-94 cm. Familiar Aust. 'wild duck': tame in public gardens; wild and wary elsewhere. Plumage dark wood-brown with pale feather margins: speculum dark green to purple, edged black. Head pattern unmistakable: crown blackish; face and throat whitish to rich yellow-buff, with bold black stripe through eye, another from chin. Pairs to flocks: dabbles, upends in shallows; forages among wetland vegetation, ashore, in wet pastures; grain stubbles. Perches on logs, dead trees over water. Flight strong with characteristic wing-whistle; gleaming white underwing contrasts with dark plumage.
- Other name
- Black, Brown, Grey or Wild Duck.
- Similar Species
- Mallard, female; Grey Teal and female Chestnut Teal.
- Voice
- male: quick 'raab raabraab'; when flushed, hoarse whispered 'fraank fraank'; loud 'peep' when courting. Female: hearty descending 'quark quark quark!' or quick persistent quacks.
- Habitat
- any suitable water: roadside and backyard ponds, swimming pools, farm dams to tidal mudflats; prefers large permanent waters with plentiful vegetation; public gardens.
- Breeding
- June-Dec., in s.
- Nest
- often in stump or tree hollow, when of down only; also part-formed nests on ground, in grass, swamp vegetation; old nest of corvid, etc.
- Eggs
- 6-11; white or greenish cream.
- Range & Status
- Aust. and Tas. Sedentary and nomadic. Tends to move n. in winter, s. in summer. Some exchange to and from NZ. Also Indonesia to PNG, Micronesia, Polynesia, NZ and sub-Antarctic islands.
- Distribution key to races
- 1. Anas superciliosa rogersi
