Reproduction

Breeding takes place from September to December with some small variations due to rainfall. When conditions are suitable outside of this they may opportunistically breed.

These birds form a nest out of twigs and down. In to this she deposits between five and fourteen eggs. These eggs are colored a pale creamy-white.

While the male is present during the incubation the female undertakes all of the work. This takes 28 days.

Hatchlings can walk and swim within hours of birth. This allows them to forage with their mother.

Chicks fledge by 9 weeks old. They grow their adult plumage between 6 and 8 months old. When this occurs they undergo a full body molt.

Sexual maturity is reached by 2 years old.

Behavior

Both genders create a drawn out groan or a short, soft squeak. Males produce a noise similar to an axe grinding. When females defend their nestlings they make a chuckle. Adult males have an elongated trachea which is thought to help amplify their call.

These animals are primarily active to feed at dawn or dusk.

Freckled ducks tend to live in pairs of a small group rarely with more than 20 members.

Predators and Threats

Natural predators may include raptors.

They will dive under the water to escape a predator.

Humans have affected the freckled duck through habitat destruction or alteration such as draining swamps and flooding due to the building of dams.

Stock may trample their habitat.

Some hunting of this species occurs. Unfortunately this risk is increased when large numbers move to the coast during droughts.

Small numbers are present in the captive wildlife trade but this is not viewed as a major threat.

Currently the population is believed to be stable with between 11,000 and 26,000 individuals making this up. They are likely the rarest species of waterfowl found in Australia. If destruction of their habitat continues it could lead to another 20% decline in their population.

Quick facts

These ducks are also known as the canvasback, oatmeal duck, speckled duck of Diamantina duck.