Australian Wood Duck

Here is a mother duck with her ducklings, waddling along, feeding on grasses. These birds nest in tree hollows, but once the ducklings are old enough, they take a leap of faith, tumbling dramatically to the ground and flapping their tiny wings as they make their first descent.

Physical appearance

The Australian Wood Duck, also known as the Maned Duck, is a medium-sized duck with a graceful upright stance. The male is distinguished by his dark brown head, short mane-like feathers on the back of the neck, and finely speckled grey body. The female has a paler face marked with distinctive white stripes above and below the eye, and a mottled brown and white chest. Both sexes have grey wings with black and white markings, and pinkish-grey legs and feet.

Habitat

Australian Wood Ducks are commonly found in open grassy areas near water, such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, dams and urban parks. They are widespread across most of Australia, often seen grazing on grass in paddocks, golf courses, and even suburban lawns.

Behaviour

Diet: Unlike many duck species, Australian Wood Ducks feed mainly on land rather than in water. Their diet consists primarily of grasses, clover and herbs, though they also eat seeds and occasionally insects.
Social Birds: They are usually seen in pairs or small family groups, and may form larger flocks in open grassy areas or near water sources.
Protective Parents: During the breeding season, pairs can often be seen guiding their ducklings across grassy areas or near water. While usually calm birds, they become quite defensive if they feel their young are threatened, often hissing or chasing away intruders to keep their family safe.

Breeding

Nesting: Wood Ducks typically nest in tree hollows close to water, sometimes quite high above the ground. The female lines the nest with down feathers, and after hatching, the ducklings leap from the hollow to the ground below, guided by the calls of their parents.