Pacific Black Duck
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Species
- superciliosa
- Genus
- Anas
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Class
- Aves
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 50 - 60 cm long
The Pacific Black Duck is one of the most versatile of the Australian ducks. It frequents all types of water, from isolated forest pools to tidal mudflats, and is found in all but the most arid regions of Australia.
Habitat
Freshwater, intertidal
Distribution
Throughout Australia
Feeding and diet
This duck is mainly vegetarian, feeding on seeds of aquatic plants. This diet is supplemented with small crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic insects. Food is obtained by 'dabbling', where the bird plunges its head and neck underwater and upends, raising its rear end vertically out of the water. Occasionally, food is sought on land in damp grassy areas.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The Pacific Black Duck is closely related to the Mallard, A. platyrhynchos, introduced into Australia from the Northern Hemisphere. The two species are very similar in habits and occupy the same niche in the two regions. The two species will interbreed in situations where Mallards have been released.
Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa, eggs in old Little Raven's nest.
Image: P Klapste© Australian Museum
