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Aythya australis
The Hardhead is the only true diving duck found in Australia. Its body is richly mottled chocolate brown, with rufous-brown breast and flanks. The bill is black with pale blue bar at tip (less obvious in females). Males have a prominent white eye.
A pond in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
Hardheads are common in the south-east of Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin, but also in the wetter country near the coasts.
Spotted on Mar 31, 2013
Submitted on Dec 11, 2013
7 Comments
I think it's their upward-turned bill that gives us humans the impression they are always happy :-)
Yes, they are beautiful and always make me smile when I see them. Ducks always look happy but there's something about these guys and how they interact with each other. Hard to describe. The term 'drongo' was very popular when I was growing up, and it is unfair on the bird. People may be idiots, but the bird is anything but.
They are beautiful aren't they Neil? That rich chocolate plumage is quite something. I think the slang use of "drongo" is awfully unfair on the bird! Check out my pacific duck and water dragon cohabitation :-)
These are awesome little ducks. I see heaps at UQ. The Drongo is the best bird name, I think. Sums up a good many people too.
Thanks Cindy! Jemma, There are many Australian birds with strange names but this is one of the strangest! This duck was formerly known as the ‘White-eyed Duck’, but this feature is present only on drakes, with females having dark eyes. Apparently, the name ‘Hardhead’ is not related to the density of the duck’s cranium, but would come from early taxidermists who found that the head was the most difficult part of the duck to process...
Hard headed?
Gorgeous bird and photo's, Daniele!