pink eared ducks?

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Greyson
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pink eared ducks?

Hi, I was at Eagleby Wetlands (SEQ) and saw duck on the water about 60 metres away. Can they be pink eared ducks?

Thanks.

HelloBirdy
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Yes. Quite a unique and stunning bird

Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera

Greyson
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Yes. Thanks for the confirmation. I didn't know that they weren't the regular duck until I got home and saw the picture enlarged on the screen. Next time I'll try to get closer.

Woko
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Hey Greyson. Can you enlighten me on what a "regular duck" is? Is this a duck species you commonly see in your area or something else? 

Greyson
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Hi Woko,

For me, a regular duck is either a Pacific Black Duck, an Australian Wood Duck, or a Hard-Head Duck -- they're the ones I usually see.

These Pink-eared Ducks are new to me. About six of them were circling in pairs for about a hour this afternoon.

oconnore51
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I saw a pair of pink eared-ducks at Centennial Park inSydney a couple of weeks ago, with the Birding NSW outing.  I hadn't seen them before and was assured that they were not a common sight.

elizabeth

Woko
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Thanks for clarifying that, Greyson. I wondered if something like that that might be the case. And congratulations on the newbie Pink-eared Ducks for you. They're an intriguing bird. 

WhistlingDuck

Greyson wrote:

....About six of them were circling in pairs for about a hour this afternoon.

The circling is to  " feed by vortexing, in which two ducks spin about a central point with the head of one opposite the tail of the other, concentrating food in a gyrating water column."  Their bills filter small organisms from the water.

HelloBirdy
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WhistlingDuck wrote:
Greyson wrote:

....About six of them were circling in pairs for about a hour this afternoon.

The circling is to  " feed by vortexing, in which two ducks spin about a central point with the head of one opposite the tail of the other, concentrating food in a gyrating water column."  Their bills filter small organisms from the water.

But not only limited to 2. It is quite impressive when you see a whole group, dozens of them vortexing in one big vortex. From memory, there were some shovelers joining into that very large group as well.

Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera

Greyson
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Thanks HB and WD, that make their behaviour more understandable.

G

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