Hardhead

Aythya australis (Eyton, 1838)

Hardhead, Aythya australis, is a duck of Australasia, breeding in Australia and Tasmania, New Zealand, Grande Terre in New Caledonia, and from Banks Island to Tanna in Vanuatu. Outside the breeding season it reaches Sulawesi and eastern Java. It is the only true diving duck in Australia and is also called the white-eyed duck. The name hardhead refers to the difficulty early taxidermists had with the head, not to the bird’s skull. It is found in wetter coastal areas, especially in the south-east.

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae — Ducks, Geese, Swans

Breeding range

Australasia: Australia and Tasmania, New Zealand, Grande Terre (New Caledonia) and Banks Is. to Tanna (n to s Vanuatu)

Nonbreeding range

to Sulawesi and e Java