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Australian (Maned) Wood DuckAlternative names: "Woody", "Maned Goose" Aboriginal names: "barrgabarrga" [yuwaalaraay], "gunambaay" [gamilaraay] |
Sightings
A couple of Australian Wood Ducks took up residence around the dams on the property where we lived in 2005, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales. They are also frequent visitors at the neighbour's billabong. They can be found regularly and in large numbers on many other local waters.
Also seen on a trip to the east of the dividing range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo and the Lawrence river downs, New South Wales.
Ducks are usually amongst the first to have their young and Australian Wood-Ducks are no exception from the rule. After making a racket in the trees of the area in late winter (around July), their ducklings can be seen on water surfaces starting in August, typically, in the Narrabri area. Cold weather in August 2008 delayed this by several weeks.
Photos
Lateral view of a male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck (click on image for larger version)
Male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck seen from behind; here the speculum is hidden from view (click on image for larger version)
Male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck seen from behind, with a clear view of the iridescent speculum (click on image for larger version)
Different view of the iridescent speculum while the bird is preening itself (click on image for larger version)
Male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck on a dam 20 km west of Narrabri, New South Wales; one can see clearly why they are called "maned" (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of a female Australian Wood Duck (click on image for large version)
Female Australian Wood Duck preening (click on image for large version)
Family of Australian Wood Ducks with 8 ducklings 20 km east of Narrabri (click on image for large version)
Batch of Australian Wood Duck chicks left alone in the middle of a dam while their parents were off for smoko (click on image for large version)
Group photo of several species of water birds - a pair of Australian Wood Ducks (centre), Grey Teals (left and right) and Australasian Grebes (the two smaller birds)
Group photo of several species of water birds - a pair of Australian Wood Ducks (far left), a family of Grey Teals (centre) and a pair of Australasian Grebes (front)
Habits
Australian Wood-Duck chicks have various ways of protecting themselves. We have seen a bunch of them in the middle of a dam, avoiding getting close to the rim as long as their parents were absent.
Another protective measure was observed when we encountered a whole family on the bank of a dam. While everybody else ducked for cover in the water, mum splashed across the water surface with her "broken wing" act, veering off onto land, away from the rest of the family. The chicks that had ducked under water, had spread below the surface and re-appeared separate from each other. Only when the danger had passed, dad re-grouped them in the middle of the water surface.
When too far from the water's edge, a family of Woodies made the meaning of the phrase "ducking for cover" clear. Mum showed how to do it and all ducklings went flat onto the ground. A different example is shown in the photo below.
Ducking Duck
When crossing a road with their offspring Woodies are just about as smart as a dog. They watch for traffic, give a sign to the chicks and then dash across the tarmac and into cover again.