Freckled Duck

1. Breeding males feature a red patch at the base of their bill.

2. Peaked crown and upturned bill give it a unique silhouette.

3. Uniform speckled plumage lacks bold wing markings.

Freckled Ducks are filter feeders, using their specialized "suzzling" technique to sweep their bills side-to-side in shallow water to capture algae, seeds, aquatic grasses, and small invertebrates. Breeding occurs opportunistically after inland wetlands flood, typically between June and December. Females lay 5-10 eggs in nests hidden within dense vegetation near water. Threats to the species include wetland drainage, habitat destruction, and illegal hunting during drought periods when they congregate in smaller areas.

Freckled Ducks inhabit inland freshwater wetlands with dense vegetation such as lignum or canegrass swamps. During droughts, they move to permanent water bodies like reservoirs and coastal lagoons. They are often seen resting on sandbanks or muddy shorelines during the day and are most active at dusk and dawn when feeding in shallow waters.

The Freckled Duck is considered an ancient species with no close relatives, representing one of Australia's oldest waterfowl lineages. Its evolutionary isolation adds to its ecological significance as part of Australia’s unique fauna.