PACIFIC BLACK DUCK

 (Anas superciliosa)

Pacific Black Duck.


1. Taxonomy and Naming

Common NameScientific NameFamily
Pacific Black DuckAnas superciliosaAnatidae
  • The family Anatidae covers ducks, geese, and swans—nature’s aquatic aristocracy.

2. Distribution & Habitat

  • Where: Native to Australia, New Zealand, surrounding Pacific islands.
  • Habitat: Happily found in nearly any wetland—rivers, lakes, estuaries, and even city ponds.

3. Physical Description

  • Size: Medium—think “not quite swan, not quite sparrow.”
  • Looks:
    • Dark, wood-brown plumage with pale edges
    • Eye-catching dark green–to–purple speculum (that’s the iridescent patch on the wing!)
    • Distinct facial markings: eye stripe, crown, and a “bandit-mask” feel
  • Sex Differences: Subtle. Both sexes look similar; males get a toupee-level brighter during the breeding season.

4. Diet & Feeding

  • Omnivorous: Plants, aquatic bugs, insects, and tiny fish—a true sampler plate.
  • Feeding Style:
    • Dabbling: Surface skimming and bum-up diving.
    • Not deep divers like some duck relatives.

5. Reproductive Habits

  • Nests: Hidden in vegetation near water.
  • Eggs: 8–10, incubated by mum for ~28 days.
  • Ducklings: Precocial—ready to rumble (and feed themselves) soon after hatching.

6. Hybridisation Woes

  • Pacific black ducks often hybridise with mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), especially in urban spots.
  • Consequence: Worried conservationists—hybridisation risks “watering down” the native gene pool.

7. Behaviour & Adaptation

  • Urban Wildlife: Thriving in parks, golf courses, and backyard ponds.
  • Famous Feature: High-pitched whistling in flight—thanks to aerodynamic wing feathers.
  • Migratory Patterns: Some are homebodies; others migrate in search of better wetlands when times get dry.

8. Cultural Connections

  • Indigenous Significance: Featured in many Dreamtime stories and traditional practices.
  • Ecological Role: Seed dispersers, insect controllers—nature’s balancing act.

9. Conservation Notes

  • Status: Not globally threatened, but hybridisation and habitat loss are causes for ongoing monitoring.

 

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