Scientific Classification
- Common Name
- Australian wood duck, maned duck
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus Species
- Chenonetta (goose-like duck) jubata (maned)
Fast Facts
- Description
- Male Australian wood ducks have a brownish head and neck feathers, red-brown "mane" and black feathers on the hindquarters. They also have a white and metallic green speculum. Females are brown and tan with distinctive stripes on their eye and cheek regions.
- Size
- 25.4 to 29.0 cm (10 to 11.4 in.)
- Weight
- 700 to 955 g (24.6 to 33.6 oz.)
- Diet
- Feeds mainly on grasses
- Incubation
- Approximately 28 days
- Clutch Size
- 8 to 11 eggs
- Sexual Maturity
- No data
- Life Span
- No data
- Range
- This species has an extremely large range and can be found in Australia and Tasmania.
- Habitat
- These ducks are commonly found in freshwater areas with light tree cover and short grasses or bushes
- Population
- The total population is unknown but scientists believe there are at least 10,000 mature individuals. The population is stable and not severely fragmented.
- Status
- IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS: Not listed
Fun Facts
Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are ducklings.
Australian wood ducks are highly social in nature and may form flocks consisting of 2,000 or more individuals.
Ecology and Conservation
Australian Wood Ducks are considered agricultural pests and are often persecuted by farmers. These ducks are also considered game birds and hunted for sport. Wood ducks are considered agricultural pests and are often shot in their native Australia. These ducks are considered game birds and hunted for sport.
These birds are a food source for predators and may also help control aquatic vegetation.
Bibliography
Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.
Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.
Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.
Johnsgard, P. A. Ducks in the Wild. Prentice Hall General Reference. 1992.
Perrins, C. M. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1990.
Scott, P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World. Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.
Todd, F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego, Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996.
BirdLife International. 2016. Chenonetta jubata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680111A92844188. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680111A92844188.en. Downloaded on 03 December 2018.
Photo Credit: Australian Wood Duck Male.jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: Quarti. Year Created: 6 March 2009. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Australian_Wood_Duck_ Male.jpg. License: CC by SA 3.0.
