I got bored at work today so I did a little scouting about the innernet for
info of Freckled Ducks (of course I can't go lugging around my library to
work!) ... So what DO we know?
As I thought most research comes from the Eastern States, but points are
still relevant. Garnett & Crowley tell us that "In south-western Australia
they (Freckled Ducks) breed primarily in seasonally flooded paperbark
Melaleuca swamps as well as lignum and casuarina-dominated swamps of the
wheatbelt ... disperse widley, largely towards the coast, but in most years
they appear to be nomadic betweeen ephemeral inland wetlands. In driest
years they congregate on permanent wetlands.". Other documents said that
Freckled Duck inhabit saline waters and feed in areas that are not so deep
that they cannot reach submerged vegetaion. Major diet differs as one study
(Frith et al., 1969) suggests that vegetation makes up the majority of their
diet, whereas another study (Briggs, 1982) suggest that invertebrates are an
important part.
An action statement (#105) set up in by the DNRE VIC suggest that "A better
understanding of Freckled Duck would assist in their management" and
"Determine characteristics of wetlands utilised by Freckled Duck ..." would
help to improve in the knowledge and future conservation measures of the
species. Of course there's much more info available but as my boss says, I
don't get paid for reading bird books/articles all day (though I really wish
I did!!).
So that's it then ... tommorrow I'll head over to Herdsman to do a bit of
observations on the birds, that is after I pop into Joondalup to see those
Dendrocygna!!! How hot did they say it would be tomorrow? I must be mad ...
but only a birdo would battle the elements to catch a glimpse of such a
wonderful thing as a bird ....
happy birding!
Claire
www.birdsofperth.com
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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