Fulvous Whistling-Duck Bird Details
Dendrocygna bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck,Bodo horali, Horali, and Sarali, Fulvous Tree, Duck Fulvous Duck;
Bhura Seeti Batakh
Vieillot, 1816
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Dendrocygna
Appearance :
The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a large, long-legged waterfowl. Its plumage is a mix of reddish-brown or fulvous (tawny) coloration. The wings and back are darker, often appearing more chocolate-brown. The bill, legs, and feet are gray to blackish. They have a long neck, a rounded body, and a distinctive upright posture.
Behaviour :
Whistling-Ducks get their name from their high-pitched whistling calls. They are often found in pairs or small groups and are mostly nocturnal feeders. Their flight is typically slow with steady wingbeats. They are known to be strong swimmers and rarely dive. Nesting usually occurs in tall grasses or over water, sometimes in agricultural fields.
Habitat :
Fulvous Whistling-Ducks prefer freshwater wetlands such as marshes, lakes, flooded fields, and rice paddies. They are also found near shallow lakes and ponds, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
Diet :
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds, grasses, aquatic plants, and cultivated crops like rice. They may also consume small invertebrates and insects, particularly during the breeding season.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
Widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In India found primarily in the western and southern parts, especially in wetlands and agricultural areas.
Population Size :
Estimated population size is in the hundreds of thousands to over a million globally.
Life Span :
Average lifespan is about 10-15 years in the wild, though they can live longer in protected conditions.
Body And Tarsus:
- Body: The Fulvous Whistling-Duck has a medium-sized, elongated body with a streamlined shape, adapted for aquatic habitats.
- Tarsus Length: The tarsus (lower leg) length is approximately 45–50 mm, which is relatively long compared to other ducks, helping with wading in shallow waters.
Head And Bill :
- Head: The head is relatively small in proportion to the body with smooth, reddish-brown to fulvous coloring, blending seamlessly with the neck and upper body.
- Bill: The bill is dark gray to black, slightly broad and flattened, typical of dabbling ducks.
- Bill Length: Approximately 45–55 mm.
Length :
The overall body length ranges from 45–53 cm.
Neck :
The neck is long and slender, giving the duck an elegant posture, especially when it stands upright or is swimming.
Size :
Medium-sized duck species with a relatively long body and large wings.
Tail Details :
- Tail: The tail is short and rounded, not extending much beyond the body.
- Tail Length: Tail length is typically around 80–90 mm.
- Feathers: The feathers are predominantly fulvous (tawny) on the body, with darker chocolate-brown feathers on the wings and back. The underparts are paler with a buffy wash.
Weight :
Fulvous Whistling-Ducks typically weigh between 600–900 grams
Wing :
The wings are long and broad, allowing for sustained flight. The flight is characterized by slow, deliberate wingbeats.
Wing Span :
The wingspan ranges from 85–95 cm
Facial Feature :
The face has the same reddish-brown or tawny coloration as the body. Their eyes are dark, and they lack any distinctive facial markings.
Nest Details :
- Nest: Nests are built close to water bodies, often in tall grasses, reeds, or among aquatic vegetation. Sometimes they nest in agricultural fields like rice paddies or sugarcane fields. Nests are built on the ground, typically hidden in dense vegetation.
- Nest Made Up Of: The nest is made of grasses, reeds, leaves, and other plant material. It is usually well-concealed and may have a lining of down feathers from the adult birds.
Breeding Season :
India: Monsoon season (June to October). Africa: Varies depending on local rainy seasons. Americas: May to August in the northern regions, and later in the south.
Nesting Season :
In tropical and subtropical regions, nesting is closely tied to wet seasons to ensure abundant food and safe nesting sites.
Egg Color :
The eggs are creamy white or pale buff in color.
Egg Length :
The eggs are approximately 55–61 mm long.
Egg Width and Weight :
- Egg Width: Egg width is around 40–44 mm.
- Egg Weight: The eggs weigh approximately 45–50 grams.
Clutch Size :
Typically, the clutch size ranges from 6 to 16 eggs
No. of Broods :
Usually one brood per season, but under favorable conditions, they may attempt a second brood.
Incubation Period :
The incubation period lasts around 24 to 28 days.
Nestling Period :
After hatching, the ducklings leave the nest within 1-2 days.
Vocalization :
They are known for their high-pitched whistling calls, which sound like a repeated "wheezy-sweet" or "wheee" sound.
Sex Demorphism :
There is no significant sexual dimorphism in terms of plumage or size.
Migration Details :
- Migration Pattern: Fulvous Whistling-Ducks are partially migratory, with their movements depending on local environmental conditions, especially rainfall and food availability. In tropical regions, they may stay year-round but can move locally to find better feeding grounds. In temperate zones, they migrate southwards after the breeding season.
- Migration Period: Migration typically occurs after the breeding season when water bodies dry up or food becomes scarce, often during late summer or early autumn.
- Migration Route: India and Southeast Asia: Likely regional movement across wetlands and agricultural areas. Americas: Migrate between the southern United States and Central and South America. Africa: Local migrations between wetlands, moving with the wet season across different parts of the continent.
