Latest update April 7th, 2026 12:30 AM
Interesting creatures…The Black-bellied Whistling Duck
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), formerly also called Black-bellied Tree Duck, is a whistling duck that breeds from the southernmost United States and tropical Central to south-central South America.
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is 19-21 in (48–53 cm) long. It has a long red bill, long head and longish legs, pale grey head and mostly grey-brown plumage. The belly and tail are black, and the body plumage, back of the neck and cap are a rich chestnut brown. The face and upper neck are grey, and they sport a thin but distinct white eye-ring. The extensive white in the wings is obvious in flight, less so on the ground; it is formed by the secondary remiges while the primaries are black; the wing-coverts are brown. Males and females look alike; juveniles are similar but have a grey bill and less contrasting belly.
Due to its unique appearance, this species is almost unmistakable. With an upright stance, long pink legs, and long neck, adult Black-bellied Whistling Ducks are unlikely to be confused with any other bird within their range. The wing bar is in fact unique among living whistling ducks. But when on the ground, it may be hard to discern or look like the light flanks present in many of these waterfowl.
As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling waa-chooo call.
Black-bellied Whistling Ducks rarely move long distances. It is a common but wary species. It is highly gregarious, forming large flocks when not breeding, and is largely resident apart from local movements. It usually nests in hollow trees. The habitat is quiet shallow freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes, cultivated land or reservoirs with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds mainly at night on seeds and other plant food. Tree-lined bodies of water are of particular value and as the old common name suggests, they are quite fond of perching in trees. This species can also be seen “loafing” (doing nothing in particular except hanging around and socializing) in flocks on golf courses and other grassy areas near suitable waterways.
Feeding often occurs nocturnally, but they can be encountered eating at any hour of the day. Black-bellied Whistling Ducks ingest a wide variety of plant material, but also consume arthropods and aquatic invertebrates when available. They often feed on submerged vegetation by wading through shallow water. As its Mexican name implies, it is commonly seen gleaning recently-harvested fields for leftover seed and invertebrates brought up by the harvesters disturbing the soil.
The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is mainly non-migratory. It is quite unique among ducks in their strong monogamous pair-bond. Its pairs often stay together for many years, a trait more often associated with geese and swans. Both parents share all tasks associated with the raising of young, from incubation to the rearing of ducklings. The ducks, primarily cavity nesters, prefer the confines of a hollow tree, but will nest on the ground when necessary. They also make use of chimneys, abandoned buildings, or nest boxes, the latter having been increasingly provided to them over recent decades. Ducklings leap from nest cavities within two days of hatching, can feed themselves immediately, and stay with the parents for up to eight weeks.
This species is not considered to be of conservation concern by the IUCN and the National Audubon Society; its global population is estimated at 1,550,000 birds. Black-bellied Whistling-duck populations are currently stable or increasing. It expanded its range significantly in the latter half of the 20th century.
The existence of healthy coastal wetlands greatly benefits Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. In past years, over-hunting was a serious concern, largely due to the species’ relatively docile nature. Current populations, however, seem to be secure enough to sustain hunting at the present levels, which are lower than in the past and mostly aimed at preventing large numbers of these birds gathering on fields where they may harm crops.
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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