Blue-billed Duck

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Not yet spotted on Fladder

The Blue-billed Duck is a small, stiff-tailed diving duck endemic to Australia. Males display a striking sky-blue bill during the breeding season, which contrasts beautifully with their dark, sleek plumage.

Where to spot

Found across temperate southeastern and southwestern Australia. They inhabit deep, permanent freshwater wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs that have dense emergent vegetation for cover.

How to spot

Look for a small, dark, compact duck that sits low in the water with a noticeably stiff tail often held erect. Males are unmistakable due to their brilliant blue bill; females are duller brown with a dark bill, but both sexes share the characteristic stiff tail posture and diving behavior.

When to spot

Year-round in suitable habitats. Breeding activity is typically from September to February, which is when males are in their most vibrant blue-billed breeding plumage and are more conspicuous.

Where to spot

Found across temperate southeastern and southwestern Australia. They inhabit deep, permanent freshwater wetlands, lakes, and reservoirs that have dense emergent vegetation for cover.

How to spot

When to spot

Year-round in suitable habitats. Breeding activity is typically from September to February, which is when males are in their most vibrant blue-billed breeding plumage and are more conspicuous.

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

Blue-billed Ducks are highly aquatic, rarely venturing onto land. They are expert divers, capable of staying submerged for extended periods to feed on aquatic invertebrates, and are even known to sleep while floating offshore.

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