Males have a distinctive glossy dark crown and nape; in flight, the broad white wing panels flash conspicuously.
VIC: Endangered
Indigenous: Cotton Teal, White-Quilled Dwarf Goose, White-Quilled Goose-Teal, White-Quilled Pygmy Goose, White Pygmy Goose
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatUsually seen swimming in freshwater wetlands, including small ponds and farm dams, especially those with extensive floating vegetation.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from May to October.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Sam Hambly
Range map
Range map
571visible hotspots
10962visible records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Tiny duck. Male has a bright white head and neck with a dark crown and eyes. Female is plainer, with a strong dark eye-line that does not continue back to the nape.
Behavior
Usually seen swimming in freshwater wetlands, including small ponds and farm dams, especially those with extensive floating vegetation.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
Commonly confused with
Muscovy DuckCairina moschataWild birds are dark blackish overall with iridescent green and bronze, especially on the wings. Look for bold white wing patches in flight and red warts on the face (more extensive on males). Occurs extensively throughout Middle and South America, but typically scarce. Very restricted range in the U. S., only known from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Plumage varies from all white to all black, typically with more extensive red warts on the face than wild birds. There is a well-established feral population in Florida, with smaller domestic populations spread across the globe.→Graylag GooseAnser anserLarge gray goose. Compare to other gray geese, which differ in details of bill pattern and color, head and neck pattern, and have dark underwings.→Green Pygmy-GooseNettapus pulchellusTiny duck. Female lacks the dark head and neck, but has a strong dark eye-line continuing back to nape. Usually found in tropical freshwater wetlands across northern Australia.→