New Zealand Grey Duck

The New Zealand Grey Duck (Anas superciliosa superciliosa), is the nominate subspecies of the Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), native to New Zealand and adjacent islands. Historically widespread across wetlands, lowland rivers, and coastal lagoons, this handsome dabbling duck has seen marked decline in recent decades due to habitat loss and hybridization with introduced Mallards.

The New Zealand Grey Duck (see video species profile for New Zealand Grey Duck) are medium-sized, averaging 19–22 inches in length. Plumage is dusky brown overall with distinctive buff-edged feathers creating a scaly appearance. The bold dark eye-stripe, running from the gray bill through the eye and down the neck, is a defining feature that sets the Grey Duck apart from Mallard hybrids. Both sexes are similar, though females tend to be slightly smaller and lighter in build. A blue-green speculum bordered in black and white flashes in flight.

New Zealand grey duck
New Zealand Gray Ducks were once the most abundant waterfowl species in New Zealand. Hybridization with introduced mallards, as detected by an upper white wing bar in the speculum, has rendered them genetically extinct throughout most of their range.