Hardhead or White-eyed Duck (male)

Description:

The Hardhead is the only true diving duck found in Australia. The male has a large brown head and a black bill with a distinctive blue bar at the tip. The body if of a rich and mottled chocolate brown.

Habitat:

Deep, vegetated swamp, or other large open water. Common in the south-east of Australia. Can reach as far afield as New Guinea, New Zealand, and some Pacific islands, where they can remain and breed for a season or two.

Notes:

The female is paler with a brown iris. These ducks rarely come to land and never perch in trees.