Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Bird Details
Dendrocygna autumnalis
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
Kaale Pet Valee Whistling-Batakh
Carl Linnaeus, 1758
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Dendrocygna
- North America: Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, Mexico
- Central America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
- Caribbean: Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico.
- South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina.
- Africa: South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
Appearance :
Medium-sized duck with distinctive black belly and upper breast, contrasting with a bright reddish-pink bill. Overall plumage is predominantly brown with a white face and throat, and a chestnut back.
Behaviour :
Known for their characteristic whistling calls. Often found in noisy flocks, particularly around dawn and dusk. Form strong pair bonds during breeding season.
Habitat :
Prefers shallow freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, and flooded fields. Also found in coastal mangroves and estuaries.
Diet :
Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, insects, and small fish. Grazes on land and dabbles in water to find food.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Found in the Americas, primarily in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Also occurs in parts of southwestern and southern Africa where it has been introduced.
Population Size :
Stable and not globally threatened.
Life Span :
Approximately 8-15 years in the wild.
Body And Tarsus:
Medium-sized duck with a streamlined body and long neck.
Head And Bill :
The head is rounded with a bright reddish-pink bill.
Length :
Approximately 19-22 inches (48-56 cm).
Neck :
Long and slender.
Size :
Medium-sized waterfowl.
Tail Details :
Short, not particularly distinct in length compared to body size.
Weight :
Around 500-900 grams (1.1-2 pounds).
Wing :
Wings are moderately long and pointed.
Wing Span :
Around 30-36 inches (76-91 cm).
Facial Feature :
White face with a contrasting black eye patch and reddish-pink bill.
Nest Details :
- Constructed on the ground, often in dense vegetation near water.
- Nest made up of: Grasses, reeds, and other plant materials.
Breeding Season :
During the wet season or rainy periods
Nesting Season :
During spring and summer in the northern hemisphere.
Egg Color :
White to creamy-white.
Egg Length :
About 2.0-2.5 inches (5-6.4 cm).
Egg Width and Weight :
Approximately 1.4-1.7 inches (3.5-4.3 cm).
Clutch Size :
10-16 eggs per clutch
No. of Broods :
One brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
Around 25-30 days, primarily by the female.
Nestling Period :
Fledge within 45-55 days.
Vocalization :
Known for their whistling calls, often heard during flight or when alarmed.
Sex Demorphism :
Both males and females looking similar.
Migration Details :
Non-migratory Birds
