Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Australian wood or Maned duck (Chenonetta jubata), 1790s

Australian wood or Maned duck (Chenonetta jubata), 1790s

TAL & Dai-ichi Life Derby Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased from The Rt Hon. The 19th Earl of Derby, 2011; PXD 1098, vol. 4, f. 88

Watercolour

Australian wood ducks are waterbirds, yet they are found mainly on land foraging for grasses and occasional insects.
Like other waterbirds, Australian wood duck chicks are hatched with a waterproof down so they can enter the water almost straight away.
Wood ducks are ‘geese-like’ in appearance and are distributed widely across Australia.
Female Australian wood ducks make a long, loud rising call while the male call is shorter and higher pitched.
Australian wood ducks have a single breeding partner and stay together for the year round breeding season.
The Australian wood duck is also known as the maned duck or maned goose.