Captive ducks were still breeding at 16 years. [3] Further research into the accuracy of using O. australis as an indicator for habitat health, among other waterbirds, is needed, considering its ability to breed every season despite the effects of drought. [7], The blue-billed duck is almost entirely aquatic. A decline in bird numbers provides a warning that the natural ecological functioning of the freshwater system is at risk. While breeding, O. australis is secretive and wary,[10] and it will swiftly and quietly dive under water if threatened, resurfacing a large distance away, rather than escape by flying. Energetically expensive to produce, the eggs hatch into well-developed ducklings that require only a short period of care. This population grew to about 3,500 individuals by 1992, and now appears to be expanding into the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Spain. They are even known to chase rabbits feeding on the shore. Ruddy Ducks are compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that they habitually hold upright. They court females by beating their bill against their neck hard enough to create a swirl of bubbles in the water. The tail feathers for both the male and female are made up of thick, spine-like shafts. Any long-term decrease in populations of O. australis would therefore more strongly reflect poor wetland ecosystem health, without the confounding effects of natural drought cycles. The shy ruddy duck who conceals itself in cattails…the fast-flying canvasback… or the boisterous Canada goose. [6][7] Both result in smaller habitat sizes suitable to water birds. During the nonbreeding season, the head changes from its glossy black to black with grey speckles, and its body changes from chestnut to dark grey. Its head is dark brown, and the back and wings consist of black feathers with a light-brown tip, giving a mottled appearance, although the National Parks and Wildlife publication[5] on O. australis refers to bands on each feather rather than a single feather-tip colouration. The female will protect her brood, including hatchlings from dump clutches of other females. They court females by beating their bill against their neck hard enough to create a swirl of bubbles in the water. Waterfowl identification may … The female retains black plumage with brown tips all year round. beds or other vegetation generally over water.Nests are usually constructed from dead Typha leaves, and are sometimes thinly lined with down.Blue-billed Ducks are polygamous, and pair-bonds are short-term i.e. [2][3] The male has a slate-blue bill which changes to bright-blue during the breeding season, hence the duck's common name. The duck sits low in the water in comparison to other ducks. The bright colors and odd behavior of male Ruddy Ducks drew attention from early naturalists, though they didn’t pull any punches. Any long-term decrease in the population of waterbirds such as O. australis, which continue to breed yearlong, irrespective of drought conditions by seeking out suitable habitat, would make excellent indicators for wetland health. For the rest of the year, during breeding season, the blue-billed duck prefers deep, freshwater swamps, with dense vegetation including cumbungi Typha orientalis (broadleaf cumbungi) and Typha domingensis (narrow-leaved cumbungi); although it has appeared in lignum swamps in more coastal areas,[2][3][9] especially in drier seasons. The health of wetland ecosystems can be determined by the abundance of waterbird species. The grebes sometimes attack Ruddy Ducks from below the water, a behavior known as “submarining.”. Everything about this bird is interesting to the naturalist, but almost nothing about it is interesting to the sportsman.”. The blue-billed duck is endemic to Australia's temperate regions. After hatching, the young remain in the nest for 1 day, and are then led by the female from the nest. [2] During breeding season, apart from the aforementioned bright-blue bill, the male's head and neck are glossy black, and the back and wings are a rich chestnut. To counteract these impacts, the Department of Environment and Conservation has devised several strategies to increase the blue-billed duck's population.
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