- Chenonetta jubata
Identification
Photographed: Queensland, Australia. Also called Australian Wood Duck.The male is grey with a dark brown head and mottled breast. The female has white stripes above and below the eye and mottled underparts. Both sexes have grey wings with black primaries and a white speculum. This 45-51cm duck looks like a small goose.
Distribution
The Australian Wood Duck or Maned Duck, Chenonetta jubata, is a dabbling duck found throughout much of Australia.
Taxonomy
It is the only living species in the genus Chenonetta. Traditionally placed in the Anatinae (dabbling duck) subfamily, it might actually belong to the Tadorninae (shelduck) subfamily (Sraml et al. 1996); possibly, the Ringed Teal is its closest living relative (Johnson & Sorenson 1999).
Habitat
Its habitat is lightly wooded swamps and marshes.
Behaviour
This abundant duck nests in a tree hole laying 8-12 eggs. It feeds mostly by grazing. It rarely swims.