Anas superciliosa
The Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa, is a medium-sized dabbling duck widespread across the Australasian and Pacific regions. Averaging 54-61 cm in length with a wingspan of 80-97 cm and weighing 800-1100 grams, it presents a uniformly dark brown body contrasting with a pale head, adorned by a striking dark crown and two bold dark stripes running through the eye and along the cheek. A shimmering iridescent green speculum, often bordered by black and sometimes a thin white line, is a key ...
Found in a wide array of aquatic environments, from freshwater wetlands, rivers, and swamps to brackish estuaries, coastal lagoons, and even urban parks. Occupies elevations from sea level up to sub-alpine tarns.
An omnivorous dabbling duck, its diet consists mainly of aquatic vegetation, seeds, and small invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, and crustaceans. It forages primarily by dabbling and up-ending in shallow water, occasionally grazing on land.
Pacific Black Ducks are primarily diurnal, spending their days dabbling for food, preening, and resting, often gathering in sheltered areas or on open water for roosting. Their foraging strategy involves typical dabbling duck behavior: head-dipping, up-ending, and surface-straining for submerged ...
The Pacific Black Duck boasts an expansive distribution across Australasia and the Pacific. Its primary breeding and year-round range encompasses most of Australia (excluding the driest interior), Tasmania, New Zealand (both North and South Islands), New Guinea, Indonesia, and numerous Pacific Is...
Least Concern
- The Pacific Black Duck is a master of camouflage, with its dark plumage blending seamlessly into shaded wetlands, making it surprisingly difficult to spot despite its commonality. - It frequently hybridizes with the introduced Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*), a significant concern for the geneti...