FAMILY NAME: Anatidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anas superciliosa SUBSPECIES: none
SIZE: 40 to 60cm. (19" to 2') tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found over almost the entire continent of Australia, except in the very arid central west and south. Versatile in that they will inhabit fresh or salt water, but preferring deep, well vegetated permanent fresh water.
BREEDING: Breeding season varies depending on water and food supplies. May have two broods a year with very large clutches, however they have a high mortality rate with only about 20% surviving 2 years. The male takes little part in rearing the young.
GENERAL: They feed on insects, aquatic plants, crustaceans and molluscs. The feathers are mid-browm with lighter edges. There is a black stripe along the crown, another through the eye line and again on the lower face. The feathers in between are cream. There is a patch of green on the secondaries and underwings are white.
References:
Michael Morecombe. Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.
Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day. The Birds of Australia.
M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly. The Atlas of Australian Birds.
Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net
