At UNE, our campus is more than just a place for learning; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem home to several different species of animals and plants. Pictured above are eggs from Pacific Black Ducks, Anas superciliosa, one of Australia’s most versatile waterfowl. They are found throughout all of Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea except for the most arid regions. Their diet matches their versatility in habitat, feeding on plant material, molluscs, crayfish, and aquatic insects. Pacific Black Ducks can be identified by their distinctive striped head pattern and mottled brown body with a vibrant purple/green metallic wing panel.

At UNE, you can see these distinctive ducks on Lake Madgwick and Lake Zot, and also throughout our National Parks. However, these birds are best admired from afar. Pacific Black Ducks are currently breeding so will be defensive of their nests and eggs. It is best to avoid going near bird nests as human interaction can cause adult birds to abandon their clutch.

Image: Justin Ellard
Text: Kathleen Murphy, President UNE Zoology Society