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Large, hefty duck that has wild and domestic types.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatWetlands, floodplains, lakes, estuaries, and slow-moving waterways.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Jorge Leitão
Range map
Range map
822visible hotspots
15852visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
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
Wild 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.
Behavior
Tends to be shy and most often seen in flight over extensive wetlands or along large rivers. Domestic birds, on the other hand, are regularly found walking around in parks and farms, looking for scraps of food and chasing native waterfowl.
Gallery