Hardhead — Australian Bird Identification Guide

The hardhead (Aythya australis), also known as the white-eyed duck, is the only true diving duck found in Australia.

⚠️Not listed

🍃Indigenous: Punkari, Copperhead, White-Eye, White-Wing, Pienkarry, Brownhead, Coppertop, Karakahia, Widgeon, Barwing, White-Eyed Duck, White-Winged Duck

At a glance

FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl

SizeLarge

RarityCommon

HabitatHardheads are found in wetter, coastal regions of Australia, particularly in the south-east, but are known to disperse as far afield as New Guinea, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Best timeReported across most months in Victoria, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample

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Recorded by Andrew Spencer

Range map

Occurrence window

200approx hotspots

318430approx records

7states

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

Male has white eyes. Female is slightly paler with dusky eyes. Similar to Musk and Blue-billed Ducks, but Hardhead sits higher in the water, has a white patch on the rump, and lacks a spiky tail.