2

Australian (Maned) Wood Duck

(Chenonetta jubata)
Alternative names: "Woody", "Maned Goose"
Aboriginal names: "barrgabarrga" [yuwaalaraay], "gunambaay" [gamilaraay]
Size: 45-60 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Australian Wood Ducks populate basically the eastern half of the Australian continent (with the exception of Cape York) and the western half of WA and also Tasmania.

"Woodies" like open grassland, where they can feed, and are often found near water, including man-made dams. During the breeding season they will have a preference for open woodlands close to water.

Sightings

Australian Wood Ducks can be found regularly and in large numbers on any kind of fresh water (lakes, dams, rivers) in inland NSW. A few of Australian Wood Ducks took up residence around the dams on the property where we lived in 2005, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW. "Woodies" were also frequent visitors at the neighbour's billabong.

Also seen on a trip to the east of the Great Dividing Range, in the area from Armidale to Dorrigo and the Lawrence River downs, northern NSW.

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

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.

Near-frontal view of a male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck

Lateral view of a male bird

Here a slightly different posture and different light conditions

Male Australian (Maned) Wood Duck seen from behind; here the speculum is hidden from view

Here a clear view of the iridescent speculum

Different view of the iridescent speculum while the bird is preening itself

Male bird on a dam; one can see clearly why they are called "maned"

Lateral view of a female Australian Wood Duck

Female Australian Wood Duck preening

Family of Australian Wood Ducks with 8 ducklings

Here dad demonstrates how to duck even on the surface of a pond

Batch of Australian Wood Duck chicks left alone in the middle of a dam while their parents were off for "morning smoko"

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)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

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. But also with the parents around, getting back onto water is the first choice, even if the water is closer to a photographer than the paddock overgrown with tall grass in which they are feeding.

Family of Australian Wood Ducks rushing into a farm dam for protection

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 dogs. They watch for traffic, give a sign to the chicks and then dash across the tarmac and into cover again.

Food

Like all other geese, ducks and swans, Australian Wood Ducks are vegetarian. They feed on plants on land.