Australian Ducks
Pink-eared duck, Malacorhynchus membranaceus
The Pink-eared duck is Australia’s smallest duck with a total length no bigger than 40 cm. Sometimes known as the zebra duck, the striking banded colours are more obvious than the half dozen pink feathers behind the ear. This fresh nuptial plumage is most intense during breeding season. Their beaks are unique and the basis for their scientific name. Like an upside-down shovel curving down on the sides, with filamentous plates used to strain their food. Pink-eared ducks are gregarious and pair for life, and feed in groups of two or more, coordinating swimming in circles, tail-to-tail to stir up their food of algae and micro invertebrates. They are found on the flood plains west of the Great Dividing Range from Southern Victoria to the Northern Territory, where they make their homes in wetlands, swamps and the occasional sewerage treatment pond.
Because of their occasional super-abundance after exceptionally good rainfall pink-eared ducks have become treated as a game resource with annual duck shooting seen as an entitlement. This print was made thinking of the gentle volunteers who spend three months of the year illegally collecting wounded Australian ducks.
Blocks for this print were carved with traditional hangi-toh knife and a mini v-gouge.
Made from a solid cherry key block and two shina plywood background blocks.
Hand printed with a traditional Japanese baren using Holbien Gouache and Japanese Sumi.
Hand made and sized kozo paper from Awagami Japan.
The design was made first with an easy carve rubber mini block. This mini print is also available as a card.
The Double Dagger seal stamp represents extinction of a species and is used to indicate collaborative artwork made to raise awareness of threats to non-human life. More info at doubledaggerart.com
Joanna Bradley 2026
You must be logged in to post a comment.