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Large and chunky stiff-tailed diving duck with a heavy triangular bill.
NT: Vulnerable
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Birraala, Bagabagaali, Kaalyuang, Kadar, Diver, Must Duck, Steamer, Diving Duck, Mould Goose
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatWetlands, floodplains, lakes, estuaries, and slow-moving waterways.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from December to April.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Peter Boesman
Range map
Range map
2455visible hotspots
106592visible 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
Floats very low in the water. Both sexes are dark grayish, but male has an obvious lobe of skin dangling from its chin. Bill is much shorter and heavier than Blue-billed Duck.
Behavior
Usually observed on the water, regularly diving while feeding.
Gallery