Dabbling - Pacific Black Duck obtains food by 'dabbling', whereby the duck plunges its head and neck underwater
The Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa is a dabbling duck found in most arid regions of Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, New Zealand and many islands in the southwestern Pacific region. The Pacific Black Duck is closely related to the Mallard, A. platyrhynchos, which were introduced into Australia from the Northern Hemisphere. The two species are very similar in habits and occupy the same niche in the two regions. The two species will interbreed in situations where Mallards have been released. Habitat The Pacific Black Duck is one of the most versatile of the Australian ducks. It frequents all types of water, from isolated forest pools to tidal mudflats. They are usually seen in pairs or small flocks and readily mix with other ducks. In the wild, birds are often very wary of humans and seldom allow close approach. Birds in urban Feeding The Pacific Black Duck although being mainly vegetarian, feeding on seeds of aquatic plants also eats small crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic insects. Food is obtained by 'dabbling', where the bird plunges its head and neck underwater and upends, raising its rear end vertically out of the water. Occasionally, food is sought on land in damp grassy areas. Breeding Mating in Pacific Black Ducks coincides with availability of sufficient food and water, and often with the onset of heavy rains or when waterways are at their peaks. Courtship is accompanied by ritualised displays including preening, bobbing and wing-flapping. This behaviour is often initiated by the female, and, other than copulation, the male helps little in the breeding process. Often, two broods will be raised in a year. The number of offspring produced may seem quite high, but only 20% of these will survive past two years of age.
Size: 3872px × 2592px
Location: Rural South East Queensalnd Australia
Photo credit: © Adrian Page / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: anas, australia, bird, black, blue, body, crown, dabbling, dark, duck, eating, facial, fauna, geen, glossy, green, guinea, habitat, head, indonesia, lake, lilypad, oceania, pacific, pale, pond, queensland, se, stripes, superciliosa, vegitarian, water, weed, zealand
