Pink-eared Duck

1. Black-and-white barred flanks and breast.

2. Large spatulate bill adapted for filter-feeding.

3. Subtle pink spot behind the eye visible at close range.

Pink-eared Ducks are filter feeders that use their specialized bills to extract tiny aquatic organisms from the water. They often feed in pairs or groups using a unique "vortexing" techniqueswimming in circles to concentrate food in a central column. Breeding occurs opportunistically when inland waters fill, with nests built in tree hollows or on abandoned waterbird nests. Both parents care for ducklings until they fledge at around 7-8 weeks.

Pink-eared Ducks inhabit shallow inland wetlands across Australia, favouring temporary floodwaters rich in aquatic life. They are often seen in sewage ponds, swamps, or ephemeral waterholes after rain. Highly nomadic, these ducks move in search of suitable feeding grounds as water conditions change.

The Pink-eared Duck is endemic to Australia and has evolved to thrive in its unpredictable climate. Its ability to locate water sources and adapt to changing conditions highlights its ecological importance.