Musk Duck

Biziura lobata(Shaw, 1796)

Updated 11 June 2026

Also known asGidgy-gar-dupGidjigarrap

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: ANSERIFORMES
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Biziura

At a glance

The Musk Duck is a very large bird, about 55–66 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size: 55–66 cm
Conservation status: Least Concern
Origin: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round
Commonness: Endemic

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Musk Duck look like?

The Musk Duck is a very large bird, about 55–66 cm long and weighing 993–3120 g, identified by its large leathery lobe under bill (male); very low profile in water; stiff, fan-like tail; and drab grey-brown plumage with fine barring.

The musk duck is a highly aquatic, stiff-tailed duck native to southern Australia. It is the only living member of the genus Biziura. An extinct relative, the New Zealand musk duck or de Lautour's duck, once occurred on New Zealand, but is only known from prehistoric subfossil bones. It was about 8% longer than the living species, with a particularly large head.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

01
Large leathery lobe under bill (male)
A prominent, dark, pendulous flap of skin, swelling noticeably in breeding males.
02
Very low profile in water
Floats exceptionally deep with much of the back submerged, often showing only head and part of the back.
03
Stiff, fan-like tail
Tail of long, stiff feathers, often held flat on the water but can be cocked vertically.
04
Drab grey-brown plumage with fine barring
Overall dark, inconspicuous plumage, subtly marked with fine, pale grey or whitish barring.

Field specs

Length: 55–66 cm
Weight: 993–3120 g
Wingspan: 70 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

When diving, this species slips underwater head-first with remarkable agility, often leaving barely a ripple on the surface.

flight

Reluctant to take wing, they require a clumsy running take-off across the water but are swift airborne with rapid, shallow wing beats and a low-angled, abrupt landing.

plumage

While males are distinguished by a massive, pendulous leathery lobe beneath the bill, both sexes share an inconspicuous dark grey-brown plumage with faint, pale pin-striping.

size_and_shape

Look for a duck sitting extremely low in the water with a heavy, wedge-shaped head and a stiff tail that is often held vertically or fanned against the surface.

voice

Listen for the male's rhythmic breeding display, a repetitive sequence featuring a loud 'ker-plonk' foot-splash, a sharp whistle, and a deep grunt.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Musk Duck?

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

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Terra Occ · Johnson Dr, Warrnambool, VIC, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Musk Duck eat?

The Musk Duck feeds on foliage/herbs and fish/invertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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