Birds
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 01.jpg

Blue-billed Duck

Blue-billed Duck

100
1 week ago
Spotted
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.
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 01.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 02.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 03.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 04.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 05.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 06.jpg
File:Oxyura australis male 2 - Penrith.jpg
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 01.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 02.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 03.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 04.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 05.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Blue-billed duck (Oxyura australis) at Perth Zoo, June 2023 06.jpg
Credits: Wikimedia Commons
File:Oxyura australis male 2 - Penrith.jpg
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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Spotted

Recently spotted
853 (Seen in the last 3 months)
Last spotted
1 week ago

Monthly observations

1 observation
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J
Jacob
3 weeks ago
Blue-billed Duck
Wynyard, Tasmania
Spotted Blue-billed Duck
Spotted Blue-billed Duck
+65
Lifer
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