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The social behaviour of the aberrant blue duck is reviewed. The bird is territorial and aggressive, except towards its own mate and offspring. The male’s territorial call – a loud whistle delivered in 3 special posture – appears to be the main signal keeping pairs apart, but fights do occur, and a pronounced carpal knob on the wing is used in attack. As the blue duck appears to pair for life, courtship is not easily observed. Repeated acts of copulation, early in the breeding season, probably serve to synchronise the reproductive states of the pair. Copulatory display and the pre-flight signal have elements similar to those of perching and dabbling ducks.

Both adults care for the young, although this may not involve more than keeping them together since anti-predator behaviour is not conspicuous. Family life seems to continue until adult plumage is attained at five months, at which time young birds probably leave their parents territory.