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Pacific
Black Duck (anas superciliosa) A bit of a misnamed bird which is mostly dark brown. The body has various markings dominated by lighter brown stripes. It's face is dominantly marked by two black stripes and when flying, a vivid green sheen on the top of it's wings is evident. Pacific Black Ducks prefer to congregate in small groups and will often be seen as a couple when nesting. They feed in a manner best described by Kenneth Graham in his classic story, Wind in the Willows as "heads down, tails up, dabbling free...". Call is as one would expect, "Quack" and predominantly from the female bird. Makes it's nest of woven water plant material. Feeds on small water animals and water plants.  |
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Maned
Duck (Wood Duck) (Chenonetta jubata) A very goose looking water bird. Maned Ducks are a light grey colour with a breast of speckled darker dots and dark edged wing feathers. The male bird has a rounded head of dark brown feathers. They have a short stubby beak. Their feeding habit is one of grazing waterside grassland. They feed on grass shoots and other green growth. Nests are made in above ground tree hollows within a few metres of the waters edge. Call is a sharp two-tone note often carrying over great distances at night. |
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Masked
Lapwing (Spur-winged Plover) (Vanellus miles) Long-legged ground bird with a bright yellow face and wattle. It's neck and chest is white and it's head is a black cap and brown upper body. Build their nests on open ground in any available depression and defend their eggs by mercilessly dive-bombing trespassers. Feed mainly on insects and grubs. Call, often heard at night, is a high-pitched screech, not dissimilar to the Silver Gull. |
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Dusky
Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa) From a distance they appear black, when in fact, they have an overall dark blue sheen. Their dark red beak has a yellow tip. Are timid birds and are usually observed in pairs feeding upon water plants and insects. They build a platform nest of shredded reeds and other water plant material. Call is frequently repeated shrieks. |
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