FAMILY NAME: Anatidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aythya australis SUBSPECIES: none.
SIZE: 45cm to 60cm. (18" to 24") tip to tail. Wingspan of about 70cm.
LOCATION: When conditions permit, they may be found right across mainland Australia, except for the western deserts, and are also found in Tasmania.
BREEDING: Breeding takes place in the east and south east between August and December. Clutch sizes are from 9 to 12 eggs, laid in a well shaped nest, and located low down near water in dense foliage. The female builds the nest and incubates the eggs. After breeding, these birds disperse across Australia, and their numbers may increase quickly under good conditions.
GENERAL: Sometimes called the "White-eyed Duck", it is capable of diving in deep water to feed on aquatic plants and shellfish. The male has a distinctive white iris, whilst the female's is brown. The male is darker and more red/brown, whilst the female is a paler brown. In-flight the upperwings have a white trailing edge, and underwings are completely white. The belly and undertail coverts are also white.
References:
Michael Morecombe.
Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day.
The Birds of Australia.M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly.
The Atlas of Australian Birds.Birds in Backyards.
www.birdsinbackyards.netGraham Pizzey - Frank Knight.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
