Similar in shape to white-faced duck but has a golden brown, not white, head. It shows a dark line down the centre of the nape and neck, and has conspicuous white flank stripes. In flight it may be distinguished from white-faced duck by its white uppertail coverts, which forn a horseshoe and contrast with the dark upperparts.
Juvenile may be distinguished from juvenile white-faced duck by having white on the flanks and rump.
Freshwater lakes and dams.
a soft disyllabic whistle.