Anas superciliosa

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Family

Anatidae

Genus

Anas

Species

superciliosa

Common Names

Pacific Black Duck, Brown Duck, Grey Duck, Wild Duck

Distinguishing Features

This average sized, 48-60cm duck with a slender neck and head. It has a distinct head pattern and a noticeable iridescent green-purple patch on its wing. Its light-coloured head is black on the crown with a black stripe across the eye and across the chin. The body is brown, with a black border around the green wing patch. The undersides of the feathers are white. The black markings on the head are slightly browner in female ducks. Young birds have streaked underbodies.

Survey Techniques

Call and visual identification.

Species Call

Males make a quick 'rhaab-rhaab', while females make a typical loud duck quacking.

Similar Species

Female Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are the same size and shape, with similar face markings. However, they lack the irridecent green wing patch and have slightly lighter plumage.

Distribution

This species is found in wetland habitat across all of Australia. It is also found across the Pacific Islands, from Indonesia to New Zealand.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

Population numbers have increased dramatically since 1981, however numbers now appear to have stabilised (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Secure, not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. The Pacific Black Duck is currently available for recreational hunting in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

LSCCES Population

Many sightings were made at National Museum of Australia, with others in Civic West, ANU, Black Mountain Peninsula and Turner.

Associated vegetation community

This adaptable species can be found in areas around small freshwater ponds, sheltered marine waters, swamplands or mudflats.

Limiting Resources

The Pacific Black Duck survives best in well-vegetated sites, including aquatic plants, trees and shrubs for shelter. Tree hollows in mature eucalypts are preferred for breeding.

Breeding

The breeding season begins in the Canberra region in June, however this species will also breed in response to a major rain event. Activities begin with the inspection of suitable tree hollows, or the old nests of other water birds if no trees are available. The nest is lined with soft down feathers. A clutch of 7-12 cream-coloured eggs is laid, one egg being laid each 24 hours and incubated by the female for about one month. Dependant young can be seen around Canberra from early October to early February. Chicks leave the nest after about 50 days.

Behaviour

These ducks are most abundant in Canberra in the winter months and are often seen in the grassy areas close to waterways. At the beginning of the breeding season, males put on a display and make high-pitched whistles followed by deep grunts. The ducks can be seen in small groups or in flocks of up to a hundred, flying with a characteristic wing-whistle. They are fairly calm around humans in urban environments and do not shy away easily, however during the spring time, adults ducks may hiss at people coming too close to their young.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

Pacific Black Ducks prefer to eat the seeds of aquatic vegetation or aquatic insects and their larvae, however some small crustaceans and molluscs are also eaten.

Predators

Young ducks are most at risk from Black Rats (Rattus Rattus), Silver Gulls (Larus novaehollandiae ) and Swamp Harriers (Circus aeruginosus). The Purple Moorhen (Porphyrio porphyrio ) will steal eggs and may kill ducklings. In most states of Australia, hunting the Pacific Black Duck is legal.

Interesting Fact

Pacific Black ducks have a large number of young each year, however the death rate is very high, 95% of birds die within their first three years. This is the result of legal hunting activities, animal attacks and natural causes.