Photo: Michelle Lambert / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Waterbirds

Blue Duck

Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos

Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australia & Oceania.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of New Zealand

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of New Zealand

See what's near you right now

The Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 830 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Hymenolaimus
Species malacorhynchos

Where it lives

Central, southern North and western South Is. (New Zealand)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 830 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Blue Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Blue Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU c, s North and w South Is. (New Zealand).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 830 g, with a wing length of about 22.8 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 55,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Blue Duck?

The Blue Duck is a large bird that weighs around 830 g.

Where does the Blue Duck live?

The Blue Duck is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU c, s North and w South Is. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Blue Duck belong to?

The Blue Duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Blue Duck eat?

The Blue Duck hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Blue Duck migrate?

The Blue Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Blue Duck endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

How large is the Blue Duck's range?

The Blue Duck has a mapped global range of about 55,000 km².