Every stream, lagoon, river, lake and wetland has its quota of the…

… Pacific Black Duck! 

These guys have always been my favourite duck, based on my memorable interactions with them as a kid. Their willingness to interact with people distinguishes them from the rest of the ducks, and once I’d caught a glimpse of their sparkly speculum feathers on show, I was in love. I also never forgot their name because of how little it suits them!

Now that I’m older and a little wiser, I understand that feeding wildlife can upset their balance of breeding, growth and health, especially when fed non-nutritive junk like bread. While it is best to let nature do its thing, the joy of interacting with such intelligent creatures as a kid (and even an adult) can't be beaten.

So if you’re like me and can't resist the (very) occasional feed, then lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, budgie/canary seeds, milk thistle, worms, and insects are all great options.