Duck of the Week: Australian Wood Duck

This unique waterfowl is the only living species in its genus.

The Australian Wood Duck, also known as the maned duck, can be found throughout most of Australia, including Tasmania. Despite its commonness, it is believed to be the only living species in the genus Chenonetta.

Female Australian wood duck on the water. Photo by Dick Daniels. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Australian wood ducks have dark brown heads and two black stripes along their back. Males typically have darker brown heads than the females of the species. Many of their features are also considered goose-like, which leads to another of their alternative names, the maned goose.

A male Australian wood duck standing in the grass. While this species is composed of dabbling ducks who spend plenty of time on the water, they are also found in grasslands across Australia. Photo by Edoddridge. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Thanks for reading about this week’s duck! This is one of the more unique species I’ve had the opportunity to look into.