Australia is the smallest continent and largest island in the world. Therefore, Australia is surrounded by water creating a perfect home for many water birds. The advantage of being surrounded by water means that there are many rivers, streams and lakes along the coastal regions, providing many habitats for water birds.

There are two types of native ducks that are common and probably familiar to most people. These are the Maned Wood Duck (Wood Duck) and the Pacific Black Duck (Black Duck). These ducks are quite different in appearance. The Wood Ducks are smaller and lighter than the Black Ducks, and they are better at flying.

Left: A group of female Wood Ducks heading towards a lake for a swim Right: A female Wood Duck drying off after a bath

The male of the species has a brown head and neck with a short mane. The body contains mainly grey feathers with a speckles of brown on the chest. The female has white eye-liner above and below the eyes.

These ducks nest in trees and push their young out of the nest when they are hatched. They live near water and usually graze in small flocks. In the Blue Mountains, these ducks live near lagoons, lakes, dams and farms.