Freckled duck

Freckled duck
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Stictonettinae
Boetticher, 1950
Genus: Stictonetta
Reichenbach, 1853
Species:
S. naevosa
Binomial name
Stictonetta naevosa
(Gould, 1841)

The freckled duck (Stictonetta naevosa) is a waterfowl species endemic to Australia. The freckled duck has also been referred to as the monkey duck or oatmeal duck.[2] These birds are usually present in mainland Australia, but disperse to coastal and subcostal wetlands in the dry period. During such times it is common for the freckled duck population to congregate in flocks in the same area, giving the impression that they are more common than they really are.[3]

The freckled duck population is at risk of further reduction from habitat destruction, droughts and game hunting. Often habitat destruction and drought can lead to an increase in hunting, as the freckled duck is forced to disperse into more coastal ranges where they may not be recognised as a protected species.[4]

In the past few decades, several institutions have established breeding programs to aid in supplementation of the freckled duck population. Such establishments included, but are not restricted to the Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia,[5] Slimbridge Wetlands, Melbourne Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.[6] The success of these institutes has been variable, with some failing to establish self-maintaining colonies.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Stictonetta naevosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22679836A92831716. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679836A92831716.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Johnsgard, P. A. (2010). "Tribe Stictonettini (Freckled Duck)". Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. pp. 97–100.
  3. ^ Garnett, S. (1992). The Action Plan for Australian Birds (Report). Canberra: Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service.
  4. ^ Loyn, R. H. (1991). "Assessing and managing the impact of duck hunting in Victoria - a new approach". Wildfowl. 42: 155–161.
  5. ^ "Frecked Ducks in Residence". Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :28 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).