Black Ducks: are known
scientifically as Anas superciliosa. The Black Duck is a widely
distributed species and occurs Australia wide except for part of the dry
inland. It is also found in Indonesia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
They are dark brown with pale feather margins. The crown is blackish and the
face white to pale yellow. Males and females have the same plumage. Black
Ducks are common in ponds in public parks and gardens where they become
extremely tame. They are frequent visitors to our Big Dam. In May 2003 a pair
of Black Ducks raised three ducklings in this dam. They usually nest in
fringing vegetation around water or sometimes in stumps or hollow trees. The
photograph shows Black Ducks at home on Lake Alexandra on the Southern
Highlands of New South Wales.