Major threats include drainage of deep permanent wetlands, or their degradation as a result of introduced fish, peripheral cattle grazing, salinization, and lowering of ground water.

[2] During breeding season, apart from the aforementioned bright-blue bill, the male's head and neck are glossy black, and the back and wings are a rich chestnut.

[3] During non-breeding season, many ducks gather in flocks totalling several hundred,[8] especially juveniles and younger adults, in open lakes or dams in autumn and winter, far from the shore.

While breeding, O. australis is secretive and wary,[10] and it will swiftly and quietly dive under water if threatened, resurfacing a large distance away, rather than escape by flying.

[2][3] Oxyura australis is omnivorous, where invertebrates as well as seeds, buds, and fruit of emergent and submerged plants are eaten.

The chironomid larvae are quite common in inland cumbungi swamps, and therefore make up a large portion of the diet of O. australis during its breeding season.

[3] There is evidence that O. australis is partly migratory, with movement from breeding swamps of inland NSW to the Murray River during autumn and winter.

[3] Any variation in non-captive laying is in accordance to water-levels and hence abundance of food, a fact in contrast to Frith's description of reproduction being tied to the months between September and November.

It appears that a female will sometimes parasitise another's efforts at incubation, described as "facultative parasitism", by laying "dump clutches" in nests other than her own.

These are: the regulation of wetland ecosystems through drainage, flood mitigation and water harvesting; and vegetation loss due to clearing, overgrazing and salinity.

To counteract these impacts, the Department of Environment and Conservation has devised several strategies to increase the blue-billed duck's population.

A decline in bird numbers provides a warning that the natural ecological functioning of the freshwater system is at risk.

Any long-term decrease in the population of waterbirds such as O. australis, which continue to breed yearlong, irrespective of drought conditions by seeking out suitable habitat, would make excellent indicators for wetland health.

Any long-term decrease in the duck's population would therefore be caused by habitat loss through factors such as salinity and overgrazing more so than drought.

More field research is needed into the average lifespan of O. australis in the wild; although, based on the high number of eggs in a clutch, and maturing 12 months after hatching would indicate a short life span of less than 10 years.

[3] Further research into the accuracy of using O. australis as an indicator for habitat health, among other waterbirds, is needed, considering its ability to breed every season despite the effects of drought.

Any long-term decrease in populations of O. australis would therefore more strongly reflect poor wetland ecosystem health, without the confounding effects of natural drought cycles.