Freckled Duck

Stictonetta naevosa(Gould, 1841)

Updated 21 March 2026

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: ANSERIFORMES
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Stictonetta

At a glance

The Freckled Duck is a large bird, about 51–56 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 51–56 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Endemic

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Freckled Duck look like?

The Freckled Duck is a large bird, about 51–56 cm long and weighing 640–1200 g, identified by its fine, uniform white flecking on dark grey-brown body; heavy, triangular head with peaked crown; and bright red bill base (breeding male).

The freckled duck is a waterfowl species endemic to Australia. The freckled duck has also been referred to as the monkey duck or oatmeal duck. These birds are usually present in mainland Australia, but disperse to coastal and subcostal wetlands in the dry period. During such times it is common for the freckled duck population to congregate in flocks in the same area, giving the impression that they are more common than they really are.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

01
Fine, uniform white flecking on dark grey-brown body
Creates a distinctive 'oatmeal' or 'freckled' appearance all over. Diagnostic in all adult plumages.
02
Heavy, triangular head with peaked crown
Unique silhouette with a high, peaked crown and a strongly scooped, concave bill profile.
03
Bright red bill base (breeding male)
Conspicuous, fleshy reddish patch on the culmen during breeding season. Unmistakable.

Field specs

Length: 51–56 cm
Weight: 640–1200 g
Wingspan: 80 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

When resting on the water, they often adopt a characteristic hunched posture with the head held low and the neck appearing thick or 'bull-necked'.

flight

In flight, these ducks lack iridescent wing patches (speculums), showing uniformly dark upper wings and a characteristic heavy-headed profile.

plumage

Adults are covered in fine, uniform off-white speckling across a dark grey body, creating a distinctive 'oatmeal' appearance.
During the breeding season, adult males develop a diagnostic bright red coloring at the base of the bill (culmen).
Juveniles can be identified by their uniform, unpatterned light grey plumage, lacking the characteristic white flecking of adults until after their first moult.

size_and_shape

Look for a high, peaked crown and a noticeably concave, scooped profile to the bill that gives the head a heavy, triangular silhouette.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Freckled Duck?

The Freckled Duck is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Freckled Duck eat?

The Freckled Duck feeds on seeds, foliage/herbs and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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