Black by name (not by colour)

Published on by bushboy

Bird of the Week #LXX

This week is the turn of the Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa, as I go through the duck species from around here.
Ironically this duck is not black, but mottled brown, with fawn edges to the feathers. The only black comes in the form of bold dark bands running from the base of its dark grey bill, across the cream coloured face and the crown of its head.

A common duck found almost everywhere in Australia. 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.

The species eats mostly plant material, however it also includes molluscs, crayfish, aquatic insects and larvae as part of its diet.

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.

This is what the pacific Black Duck call sounds like

REF: https://animalia.bio/index.php/pacific-black-duck?custom_list=798

Three Pacific Black Ducks on my dam

The upper wing colour is the same as the back, with a bright glossy green patch in the secondary flight feathers.

In the wild, birds are often very wary of humans and seldom allow close approach.The white underwing is conspicuous in flight.

REF: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/pacific-black-duck/
REF: https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Anas-superciliosa
REF: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/visit/environment/birds/pacific-black-duck

19 thoughts on “Black by name (not by colour)”

  8. Ooh! The final picture of the ducks taking off is WONDERFUL. I’m always delighted to get action shots of anything, especially birds on the water. I actually pat myself on the back when they actually look good.

    We have a duck that looks very similar. Maybe that’s the “basic model” duck world round?

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