Freckled Duck

For many years Australian freckled duck have been on the protected list
Yet the opportunity to shoot at them some duck hunters cannot resist
Some of them die in duck hunting Season every year
And this is disappointing to read of or of hear

Darkish grey freckled birds with ways of their own
As rare water birds they are not widely known
The male distinct from the female with red on base of bill
And they mostly frequent shallow lakes where the water is still

Hidden among water reeds in a nest of twigs lined with down the female duck lay
Five to ten eggs of light pale to grey
Their song rather swan like one does not often hear
And of humans they do show a respectful fear

From other species of wild duck them one could never mistake
Their food source mostly acquatic plants at bed of shallow lake
Water birds that one does not see every day
They are quite distinctive of them one can say.