Hardhead
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
The male Hardhead has a distinctive white eye. You cannot miss it.
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
The female is about the same size but is paler and the eyes are brown. Both the male and female have a black beak with a slate blue tip….that just looks white to me!
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
Flight is strong and fast. They stay well away from the shore which makes taking photos quite difficult.
Hastie’s Swamp, May 2021
Their wings are brown with a broad white band that is seen in flight as above.
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
The underwing is white with a thin brown edge.
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
They are Australia’s only true diving duck and can travel 30 to 40 metres under water as they dive for food. They feed on small aquatic creatures and some plants.
Hastie’s Swamp, September 2021
When alarmed they rise vertically up out of the water and flap their wings so fast that they create a whirring sound.
Hastie’s Swamp, May 2021
Where there is a large permanent water mass these birds are sedentary. I see them every time I go to Hastie’s Swamp but they rarely come close to the shore. Chubby little duck are they not :)