The Pacific black duck, commonly known as the PBD, is a dabbling duck found in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, reaching to the Caroline Islands in the north and French Polynesia in the east. It is usually called the grey duck in New Zealand, where it is also known by its Māori name, pārera.
Region
Australasia and Southwestern Pacific
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Indonesia, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, extending north to the Caroline Islands and east to French Polynesia. Prefers shallow freshwater habitats such as lakes, lagoons, slow-moving rivers, swamps, and farm dams. Frequently uses brackish estuaries and coastal wetlands, especially during dry periods inland. In urban areas it readily occupies ornamental ponds and parklands. Nests are placed close to water in dense vegetation, tree hollows, or sheltered ground sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 3/5
Also called the grey duck in New Zealand (Māori: pārera), the Pacific black duck is a classic dabbling duck recognized by bold facial stripes. It hybridizes readily with introduced mallards in New Zealand, which threatens the genetic purity of local populations. Often seen in urban parks and farm dams, it is wary in remote areas but can become approachable where regularly fed.
Watercolour made by Georg Forster on James Cook's second voyage to the Pacific Ocean. This painting is the holotype for the species.
Temperament
social and wary
Flight Pattern
strong flier with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small groups, forming larger flocks outside the breeding season, especially on large waterbodies. Breeding occurs near water; nests are concealed in vegetation or tree hollows with a clutch commonly of 7–12 eggs. The female incubates while the male often remains nearby early in the cycle; ducklings are precocial and follow the female soon after hatching.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Females give a loud, familiar quack; males produce softer wheezy or whistling notes. In flight the wings often emit an audible whistle, especially in fast, direct travel.
Plumage
Dark brown body with pale buff edges to feathers creating a scalloped pattern; bold pale supercilium above a darker eye-stripe; iridescent green speculum bordered by buff to whitish bars.
Diet
Feeds mainly by dabbling and upending for aquatic plants, seeds, grasses, and algae. Also consumes aquatic invertebrates including insects, mollusks, and crustaceans, and occasionally small fish or tadpoles. Diet shifts with season and habitat, increasing animal matter when breeding or when plant foods are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Shallow vegetated margins of lakes, swamps, and slow rivers are preferred for foraging. Frequently grazes on flooded paddocks and grassy banks, and will visit urban ponds where people provide food. Uses brackish estuaries and coastal lagoons during dry spells inland.
