Facts about Musk Duck
Adult males are 60 to 70 cm long and have a distinctive large, leathery lobe underneath the bill; females are 47 to 55 cm long and unadorned. The male Musk Duck is the largest of Australia's ducks. They seldom emerge from the water and are awkward on dry land. Musk Duck prefers deep, still lakes and wetlands with areas of both open water and reed beds. Their drab dark grey-brown, sightly pin-striped plumage is unconspicuous and does not differ between the sexes. They rarely fly: take off is made with difficulty, and landing is a clumsy, low-angled affair with no attempt to lower the feet. However, at need Musk Ducks fly swiftly and for long distances, with rapid, shallow wing beats. Clutch size in unknown: as many as 10 eggs have been counted in a nest, but it seems likely that this is the result of dump nesting: 3 or 4 eggs is considered more likely. In most cases only one chick survives, sometimes two. The Musk Duck breeding season varies with rainfall and water levels, but is typically between July and January. The greatest number of clutches are laid in September or October. |
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