Distribution and Habitat

The Black Duck is a major game species which is common and widely distributed throughout Australia. The Black Duck occurs across a wide range of habitats from deep, permanent, reed-dominated freshwater wetlands to rivers, creeks and brackish or saline wetlands.

Status

The Black Duck is available for recreational hunting in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Description

The Black Duck is a dark-brown bird with a pale face and throat. It has a distinctive black eye-stripe that stretches from the top of the bill through the eye. The male and female have a similar appearance.

In flight, the Black Duck is a dark bird with swift wing beats and a slender neck. The upperwing has no white but does have a green glossy colour patch on it. The underwing is white.

On the water, the Black Duck is a medium-sized duck with a slender head and neck which is carried erect.

Voice

The female makes a loud raucous quack repeated four to six times.