Chenonetta jubata

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Family

Anatidae

Genus

Chenonetta

Species

jubata

Common Names

Australian Wood Duck, Maned Duck, Black Duck, Maned Goose.

Distinguishing Features

Adults range from 46cm-50cm in length and a wingspan of 76cm-85cm. Females are slightly smaller than males. In males the head is wholly black/brown, with breast feathers being dark brown to black and wings grey. In females, feathers around the eyes form a white stripe, a short black/brown mane is present on the top of the head and the body is a light mottle grey while the back and rump are a dark brown. Young are covered in a soft down with underparts grey and the back and rump darker.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification. This species can easily by identified visually through its distinct shape and posture.

Species Call

A nasal 'mew' or an unmistakable nasal 'honk' when in flight.

Similar Species

The only locally detected waterbird with any similarity is the Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa ).

Distribution

Found across most of Australia excluding the arid centre and most of the Northern Territory. Also found in New Zealand. Within the ACT, the species is often found in urban wetlands, farm dams and along the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers (COG).

Country of Origin

Australia.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

According to COG, breeding has increased markedly since the 1980s.

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed as a threatened species under the EPBC Act 1999. Considered a pest to some forms of agriculture.

LSCCES Population

This is a common duck and is often seen on the grounds of the ANU and the National Museum, congregating in large groups.

Associated vegetation community

This species prefers lightly timbered areas near water and well-watered lawns or ovals with short grass.

Limiting Resources

Green grass is necessary for the species, meaning droughts can limit their preferred habitat and cause the species to congregate in urban watered grasslands.

Breeding

The Wood Duck breeds within eucalypt tree hollows. Within the ACT, they will begin inspecting hollows in July. Young are found from September through to January. Their eggs are a pale creamy-white colour.

Behaviour

Males and Females form life-long pairs that can be aggressively protective of their young. Although capable of swimming, Australian Wood Ducks prefer land and often congregate on lawned areas in large groups while grazing on grass.

Functional Group

Herbivore

Food Species

Any common grasses, particularly, summer grass (Paspalidum), wallaby grass (Danthonia), couch (Cynodon), rice (Oryza), smartweed (Polygonum), as well as other ground cover such as clover and herbs.

Predators

Black Rats (Rattus Rattus), Silver Gulls ( Larus novaehollandiae) and Swamp Harriers (Circus approximans) may predate on the species when  in water or when exposed on land. The Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio ) will steal eggs and may kill ducklings.

Interesting Fact

In spring it is not uncommon to see unwary ANU students fleeing from aggressively protective parents. This often leads to students avoiding the species for most of the year.

The species is listed as legal for recreational hunting in several states and as a result is a popular game bird.