These are found throughout Australia, except the driest areas, and in New Guinea, New Zealand, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
Their habitats are fresh, brackish and salt water; however the most favoured places are timbered pools and river systems of the inland areas. During periods of drought they are very mobile, often travelling great distances in search of water. They are almost identical to the female Chestnut Teal and can only be distinguished by their lighter coloured neck and paler face.
They eat a variety of foods including dry land plants, aquatic plants, seeds, crustaceans, insects and their larvae. Feeding methods are also varied, they dabble (filter surface water or mud through the bill), upend to feed from the bottom and graze on plant material upon the surface of the water.
The sexes are similar and breed when conditions are suitable, birds lay soon after these occur and may raise several broods while the conditions remain favourable, in dry years they may not breed at all. They nest on the ground, in rabbit burrows or in tree hollows, the eggs are laid on the bare floor of the nest and are then covered with down.