Chenonetta jubata
Description
Size: 440-500mm
Male: Pale grey duck with two black stripes along the back; brown head; speckled chest; finely banded flanks. Female similar: Paler head; two white stripes, one above the eye, one below; broadly banded flanks.
Call
A long drawn out ‘gnooow’ often given in flight. Other chatterings when feeding.
Distribution
All states where there is suitable habitat.
Nesting
Nests in a hollow, sometimes far from water. Breeds September to November.
Habits
Gregarious, often in large flocks. Vegetarian – grazes on grassland, paddocks, playing fields, etc. Often tame in urban situations. Sometimes known to creche the offspring into large groups of varying sized broods. Common and very abundant in places. Dispersive.