ID Common Ducks
These four duck species are commonly seen across Australia. This guide helps you identify the Australian Wood Duck, Chestnut Teal, Grey Teal, and Pacific Black Duck using simple visual differences.
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Australian Wood Duck (male)
An upright duck that nests in tree-hollows and can make lots of noise when perched on branches. The male has a black mane, chestnut head and spotted chest.
Australian Wood Duck (female)
An upright duck that nests in tree-hollows and can make lots of noise when perched on branches. The female has a black mane, pale eye stripes and a shorter bill.
Pacific Black Duck
Mottled brown dabbling duck with distinctive black stripes through its eye. Both males and females have black chin stripes and a purple/green metallic panel on the wing.
Chestnut Teal (male)
Small dabbling duck with a rounded head and high forehead. The male has a dark metallic green head, white patch on lower wing and black tail.
Chestnut Teal (female)
Small dabbling duck with a rounded head and high forehead. The male has mottled dark brown and grey feathers and darker feathers around the eye. Her throat is mottled brown too.
Grey Teal
Both the male and female have mottled grey-brown feathers and a rounded head. Tell this bird apart from the female Chestnut Teal by looking at its pale neck and throat.
Podcast episodes
Learn more about ducks and waterbirds in these Weekend Birder episodes: