Pacific Black Ducks
The Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa) is known as the Grey Duck or Parera in New Zealand.
Distribution / Habitats
The Pacific Black Ducks occur naturally in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific. Its range extends to the Caroline Islands in the north and French Polynesia in the east. During the migration, they are vagrants to the Marianas islands.
These ducks inhabit a variety of wetland habitats.
Recognized Subspecies and Ranges:
- Anas superciliosa superciliosa – Nominate Race
- Range: New Zealand
- Anas superciliosa rogersi
- Range: Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia,
- Anas superciliosa pelewensis
- Range: Southwest Pacific islands
Description
The Pacific Black Duck measures between 54 – 61 cm in length, with the males being larger than females.
The plumage is mostly dark with a paler head, dark brown, white facial stripes, bright green speculum (wing patches), and pale underwing patches (mostly seen in flight)
Some island forms tend to be darker and smaller than the mainland populations.
More Duck Resources
Diet / Feeding:
Ducks feed on larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails, and crabs.
Instead of “teeth,” ducks have serrations (saw-like edges) on their bills that allow them to filter food out of the water.
Captive birds are often fed commercially prepared duck food pellets – if there are insufficient natural resources available to sustain them. As they feed on insects, they are very useful in ridding gardens or lawns of harmful bugs.
