Editing Freckled duck (section)

{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Freckled duck
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Stictonetta naevosa'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T22679836A92831716 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679836A92831716.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
| image = Freckled-Duck-male.jpg
| image_caption = Male
| image2 = Freckled-duck-female.jpg
| image2_caption = Female
| grandparent_authority = [[Hans von Boetticher|Boetticher]], 1950
| genus = Stictonetta
| parent_authority = [[Ludwig Reichenbach|Reichenbach]], 1853
| display_parents = 3
| species = naevosa
| authority = ([[John Gould|Gould]], 1841)
}}

The '''freckled duck''' ('''''Stictonetta naevosa''')'' is a waterfowl species endemic to Australia. The freckled duck has also been referred to as the '''monkey duck''' or '''oatmeal duck'''.<ref name=:21>{{cite book|last=Johnsgard|first=P. A.|year=2010|chapter=Tribe Stictonettini (Freckled Duck)|title=Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World|pages=97–100|chapter-url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=biosciducksgeeseswans}}</ref> These birds are usually present in mainland Australia, but disperse to coastal and subcostal [[wetland]]s in the dry period. During such times it is common for the freckled duck population to congregate in flocks in the same area, giving the impression that they are more common than they really are.<ref name=:16>{{cite report|last=Garnett|first=S.|year=1992|title=The Action Plan for Australian Birds|location=Canberra|publisher=Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service}}</ref>

The freckled duck population is at risk of further reduction from [[habitat destruction]], droughts and game hunting. Often habitat destruction and drought can lead to an increase in hunting, as the freckled duck is forced to disperse into more coastal ranges where they may not be recognised as a protected species.<ref name=:23>{{cite journal|last=Loyn|first=R. H.|year=1991|title=Assessing and managing the impact of duck hunting in Victoria - a new approach|journal=Wildfowl|volume=42|pages=155–161}}</ref>

In the past few decades, several institutions have established breeding programs to aid in supplementation of the freckled duck population. Such establishments included, but are not restricted to the [[Hunter Estuary Wetlands|Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Frecked Ducks in Residence |url=https://wetlands.org.au/living_wetlands/freckled-ducks-in-residence/ |website=Hunter Wetlands Centre Australia |access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref> [[Slimbridge Wetland Reserve|Slimbridge Wetlands]], [[Melbourne Zoo]], [[Bronx Zoo]], [[Adelaide Zoo]], [[Healesville Sanctuary]], and [[Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve]].<ref name=:28/> The success of these institutes has been variable, with some failing to establish self-maintaining colonies.