Hardhead.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Hardhead.
Photo: Purnell Collection © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Aythya australis
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Hardhead
Scientific name: Aythya australis
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Water birds
What does it look like?
Description
The Hardhead is a medium-sized duck which appears mainly chocolate brown when swimming, with a white undertail. In flight, the underwings are white, edged with brown. A white breast patch is obvious in flight and when standing in the shallows. The bill is pale blue on the tip. Males have a distinct white eye, while the eye is brown in females. When flying, the wings make a distinctive whirring sound. Hardheads sit low on the water and are diving ducks. This species is also known as the White-eyed Duck, Barwing or Brownhead.
Similar species
The chestnut brown colour and white eye is distinctive. The female is somewhat similar to the female Blue-billed Duck, Oxyura australis, but the Hardhead's white undertail is diagnostic and the stiff fanned tail of the Blue-billed Duck is obvious if it is raised.Where does it live?
Distribution
The Hardhead is endemic to (only found in) Australia, though it is occasionally seen in New Guinea and other islands.
Habitat
Hardheads are found in freshwater swamps and wetlands and occasionally in sheltered estuaries. They are rarely seen on land and tend to roost on low branches and stumps near the water. They prefer deep, fresh open water and densely vegetated wetlands for breeding.
Seasonal movements
Hardheads are dispersive and numbers may irrupt after good rain, with sudden increases in numbers.What does it do?
Feeding
Hardheads dive for their food, leaping forward and diving smoothly under the water. They eat aquatic plants and animals, particularly mussels and freshwater shellfish.
Breeding
Hardheads breed in low, thick vegetation, in or near the water, along rivers and channels and around billabongs and dams. The nest is a trampled platform of reeds, sticks and vegetation, with some down lining. The nest is built by the female, and is often added to with what she can reach from the nest. She incubates the eggs alone.
Living with us
Living with humans
Hardheads have declined in some areas after draining of freshwater wetlands or diversion of water for irrigation.
References
Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J. (eds.), 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol. 1. Part B. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.