While aberrant plumage in birds has been extensively studied in North America and Europe, very little is known of the frequency and causes of aberrant plumage in Australian birds. Many factors including genetics, diet, disease, injury and age have been suggested to play a role in the development of aberrant plumages. Here we describe an adult female Australian Wood Duck showing complete lack of brown pigment and we suggest that this “grey” form of
Australian Wood Duck is a case of schizochroism where phaeomelanin has been completely lost.