Freckled Duck
Stictonetta naevosa
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<birdfyi-bird slug="stictonetta-naevosa"></birdfyi-bird>The Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (ducks, geese & swans), within the order Anseriformes (waterfowl). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 46.5 cm and a weight of 888.2 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
An unusual Australian duck with dark brown plumage densely speckled with small pale spots. Considered a living fossil with no close relatives—placed in its own subfamily. Males have a red base to the bill in breeding season. Found in inland Australia; highly nomadic following rainfall.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 46.5 cm | 18.3 in |
| Weight | 888.25 g | 31.33 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Dark grayish-brown plumage densely freckled with pale spots and streaks throughout. Head large and rounded with peaked crown. Bill gray-blue with red patch at base in breeding males. Sexes similar.
Habitat & Range
Dense inland freshwater swamps, tea-tree bogs, and reedy lakes across southern and inland Australia. Highly nomadic; follows ephemeral inland flooding. Key breeding sites in Murray-Darling Basin swamps.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 26-31 days. Fledging: 49-63 days.
Clutch Size
5-10
Sound
Song
Soft, nasal 'quacking' and grunting sounds. Considered a quieter, more secretive duck than most. Males give a soft wheeze; females give low quacks. Not vocal by duck standards.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Stictonetta |
| Species | Stictonetta naevosa |
Distribution
Freckled Duck has been recorded in 1 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Freckled Duck live?
Is the Freckled Duck endangered?
How does the Freckled Duck nest?
What does the Freckled Duck sound like?
How big is the Freckled Duck?
What order and family does the Freckled Duck belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family