Oxyura australis
The enigmatic Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) is a small, stiff-tailed diving duck endemic to Australia, renowned for its highly aquatic nature and the male's striking sky-blue bill during breeding season. Males average 40-44 cm in length and weigh 800-1300g, sporting a glossy black head and neck, a rich chestnut body, and an iridescent blue bill. Females are slightly smaller, 35-40 cm and 600-900g, with a duller brownish-grey plumage and a grey bill. Distinctive field marks include their...
This species primarily inhabits deep, permanent freshwater wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs, characterized by extensive submerged and emergent vegetation for foraging and shelter. It generally avoids brackish or saltwater environments and is found at low elevations across its range.
Primarily consumes aquatic invertebrates, especially insect larvae (chironomids, caddisflies) and small crustaceans (copepods, ostracods), supplemented by some aquatic plant seeds and tubers. Forages by deep diving to probe the bottom sediments.
Blue-billed Ducks are predominantly diurnal, spending much of their time diving for food or resting on the water, rarely venturing onto land due to their clumsy gait. Foraging involves extensive and deep diving, sometimes for over a minute, to extract benthic invertebrates from the muddy bottom u...
The Blue-billed Duck is endemic to Australia, with its primary distribution in the temperate southern regions. It is most commonly found in southeastern Australia, encompassing Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia, as well as Tasmania. A distinct, smaller population exists in southweste...
Near Threatened
- The male Blue-billed Duck's bill turns a brilliant sky-blue during the breeding season, a striking sexual display that fades to grey outside of this period. - They are one of the most aquatic duck species, rarely leaving the water and being clumsy on land due to their legs being set far back on...