Australian Wood Duck

Chenonetta jubata

The Australian Wood Duck is a lovely bird that likes to swim and waddle around. They have pretty brown and grey feathers and can often be seen in parks and wetlands.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Australian Wood Duck has a distinctive upright posture and a relatively small head. Males feature a dark brown head and neck, a speckled breast, and a grey body. Females are duller, with white stripes above and below their eyes, making them easy to identify.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusChenonetta

Australian Wood Duck

Interesting facts

Despite their name, they are frequently found grazing far from actual forests or woodlands.

Ducklings jump from tree hollows shortly after hatching, landing safely on the ground.

These ducks are more closely related to geese than many other true ducks!

They often perch on fences, logs, or tree branches, unlike most other duck species.

Special abilities

Australian Wood Ducks can nest in tree hollows, an unusual trait for ducks, that keeps their eggs safe from ground predators.

Australian Wood Ducks are excellent grazers, using their strong bills to clip grasses and clover directly from the ground.

Australian Wood Ducks have broad, rounded wings that allow them to take off almost vertically, helping them escape danger quickly.

Measurements & details

Length: 45-51 cm
Wingspan: 70-80 cm
Weight: 0.7-1 kg
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Top Speed: 70 km/h
Clutch Size: 8-12
Incubation: 28-32 days

Diet & Feeding

A plant-eater that loves to munch on fresh grasses, seeds, and clover found on land.

Primary Foods

grasses
clover
seeds
aquatic plants
grains

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

An introduced predator of eggs and ducklings.

eaten by

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Aquila audax

A large native raptor that preys on adult ducks.

eats

Couch Grass

Cynodon dactylon

A common grass that is a primary food source.

eats

White Clover

Trifolium repens

Another widespread plant frequently grazed by these ducks.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.