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2

Freckled Duck

(Stictonetta naevosa)
Alternate name(s): "Monkey Duck", "Speckled Duck", "Diamantina Duck", "Oatmeal Duck", "Canvasback"
Aboriginal name(s): "paRimakurrk" [tjapwurrung]; "koortgang"

Size: 52-59 cm (male), 48-54 cm (female)
Weight: 0.75-1.13 kg
Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description

Click here for a physical description

Taxonomy, classification

See Freckled Duck at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species

Click here for information on habitat and range

Sightings

Click here for sighting information

Photos

ADULT

MALE

BREEDING

Close-up frontal view of a male Freckled Duck in breeding plumage; note the characteristic red base of the bill
(photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Lateral view of a male Freckled Duck in breeding plumage (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, July 2023]

NON-BREEDING

Close-up near-frontal view of a non-breeding male(?) Freckled Duck; note the characteristic "teeth" on the underside of the bill
(photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, June 2013]

Close-up lateral view of a non-breeding male(?) Freckled Duck (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Eastlakes Golf Course, Sydney, NSW, June 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a non-breeding male(?) Freckled Duck (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, July 2018]

Pair(?) of Freckled Ducks; non-breeding male at the front, the slightly paler female behind
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Gatton, QLD, July 2018]

Two Freckled Ducks; the bird on the right is probably a non-breeding male, the slightly paler one on the left a female
(photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Near Moree, NSW, March 2013]

FEMALE

Lateral view of a female Freckled Duck; note the absence of red on the base of the bill - this bird was seen together with a male in breeding colours (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, August 2023]

Dorsal view of a female Freckled Duck (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Sex unknown

Freckled Ducks resting on an island in a marsh together with other ducks
[McPherson's Road Swamp, Tuggerah, NSW, July 2013]

Freckled Ducks at the same location as shown above, but in different light conditions
[McPherson's Road Swamp, Tuggerah, NSW, July 2013]

Freckled Ducks resting together with a pair of Grey Teals (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Part of a flock of about 300 Freckled Ducks on the edge of bullrushes (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lake Herdsman, Perth, WA, January 2015]

Freckled Ducks floating
[McPherson's Road Swamp, Tuggerah, NSW, July 2013]

Freckled Duck, front left, with Australasian Shovelers (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Gwydir Wetlands, near Moree, NSW, June 2013]

Mixed flock of various types of ducks, including Freckled Ducks, touching down on a lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

Mixed flock of various types of ducks, including Freckled Ducks, on a lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

Mixed flock of various types of ducks, including about 30 Freckled Ducks, on a lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, July 2014]

Colony of various ducks, including Freckled Ducks, and other aquatic birds resting together
[McPherson's Road Swamp, Tuggerah, NSW, July 2013]

Freckled Ducks feeding with their tails up; note the characteristic light-grey appearance
[Old Quipolly Dam, Quirindi, NSW, December 2013]

Behaviour

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

Ducks in general are sociable birds. They not only form flocks with others of their own species, but also seek "safety in numbers" by associating with other bird species, often other ducks. Below a Freckled Duck is shown in a loose group with five other duck species.

Six different duck species in one loose group: Freckled Duck (centre back), Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead and Australasian Shoveler
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, June 2015]

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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