[5] It became extinct before scientists could properly survey the New Zealand avifauna, but possibly as late as 1870 (based on a report of a flightless goose caught in Ōpōtiki.

The male is grey with a dark brown head, mottled breast and very thin white and black stripes on sides/flanks.

The Australian wood duck is found in grasslands, open woodlands, wetlands, flooded pastures and along the coast in inlets and bays.

In comparison to other species of Australian ducks, the Australian Wood Duck is very common in urban areas, especially near permanent water sources such as dams, ponds, pools and irrigated grass areas such as sporting facilities, urban parks and residential nature strips.

In Western Australia the Australian Wood Duck is a declared pest of agriculture in the South West Land Division of WA under the provisions of Section 35 the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 and can be legally harvested on private land between the 1st January and the 30th June, in accordance with a restricted open season notice, without the need to obtain a damage licence from the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation.

[11][12][13] In New South Wales the Australian Wood Duck along with 9 other species of Australian duck can be harvested under the NSW Native Game Bird Management Program on private property by land owners and recreational hunters who have passed the nationally recognised 'Waterfowl Identification Test' (WIT)[14][15] and hold the appropriate New South Wales Game license.

The Australian wood duck can be distinguished from pygmy geese, Nettapus spp., which are smaller, have bold white face markings and are usually seen on water.

Whistling ducks, Dendrocygna spp., have longer legs and necks, larger, more duck-like bills and tend to walk more upright.

Handbook of the Birds of the World vol 1 by Josep del Hoyo-Andrew Elliot-Jordi Sargatal - Lynx Edicions - ISBN 84-87334-10-5 Guide De Canards, des oies et des cygnes – de Steve Madge - Delachaux et Niestlé - ISBN 2-603-01376-9