Southern Fuligule

The southern Fuligule ( Aythya australis ) is a small duck. It is only the Fuligule of the Australia.

Description

It is a small duck not exceeding generally 45 cm length - but which can reach 60 cm sometimes - and squat form. Males and females are chocolate on the back, russet-red on the sides and the belly is white. The lower part of the wings is white. In the male, the eyes have a white ring whereas it is brown in the female.

Distribution and habitat

It is very current in the south-east of the Australia particularly in the basin of Murray-Darling but also in the surrounding wet coastal regions. Generally it is rather not very wandering but they can disperse very far in the event of dryness being able to go until in New Guinea, New Zealand or other islands of the Pacific Ocean where they can remain some time, to nest possibly even there a season or two.

He prefers the big lakes, the ponds and the rivers deep where water is calm but one can often see them in the small rivers, the flooded meadows or the ponds. They avoid the coasts, seldom go to ground and obviously never perch themselves.

Food

It nourishes small watery creatures which it will seek while plunging deeply while being propelled with its legs and while fouraillant with its head. Possibly, it can consume watery seeds.

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