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Hardhead

Aythya australis

Least Concern

طول الجناح

42,7 cm

الوزن

803,75 g

الفصيلة

Anatidae

الرتبة

Anseriformes

On this page

حول

A medium-sized diving duck. Males have rich chestnut-brown body, white eye, and blue-grey bill; females are similar but duller. Australia's only widespread diving duck. Nomadic; follows inland flooding. Forms large rafts on deep lakes.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
طول الجناح	42,7 cm	16.8 in
الوزن	803,75 g	28.35 oz

التعرف

الريش

Males dark chocolate-brown with white undertail and flanks. White eye conspicuous. Blue-gray bill with white band and black tip. Females similar but brown with brown eye. Bold white wing stripe in flight. Australian endemic.

Habitat & Range

Deep freshwater lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Australia and New Guinea. Nomadic in Australia, following seasonal inland flooding. Prefers deep water with submerged aquatic plants.

🌿 Wetland 🏖️ Coastal

النطاق الجغرافي

Breeds in northern prairie potholes; winters along the Pacific coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja California.

Diet & Feeding

Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates in coastal habitats; diet shifts between invertebrate types seasonally.

حالة الحفاظ

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

السلوك والتكاثر

التعشيش

Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-32 days.

عدد البيض في الوضع

6-18

الصوت

الغناء

Male produces a deep, purring wheeze; female gives a grating quacking series. Calls closely resemble Common Pochard; the female's harsh notes carry far across Australian freshwater lakes.

التصنيف

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
الرتبة	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
الفصيلة	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Aythya
الأنواع	Aythya australis

Distribution

Hardhead has been recorded in 5 countries.

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موجود Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

External Databases

الأسئلة الشائعة

What does the Hardhead eat?

Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates in coastal habitats; diet shifts between invertebrate types seasonally.

Where does the Hardhead live?

Deep freshwater lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Australia and New Guinea. Nomadic in Australia, following seasonal inland flooding. Prefers deep water with submerged aquatic plants.

Is the Hardhead endangered?

The Hardhead has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Hardhead nest?

Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-32 days.

What does the Hardhead sound like?

Male produces a deep, purring wheeze; female gives a grating quacking series. Calls closely resemble Common Pochard; the female's harsh notes carry far across Australian freshwater lakes.

How big is the Hardhead?

The Hardhead has a wingspan of 42.7 cm, weight of 803.75 g.

What order and family does the Hardhead belong to?

The Hardhead (Aythya australis) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.