Plumed Whistling-Duck Bird Details
Dendrocygna eytoni
Plumed Whistling-Duck
NA
Thomas Campbell Eyton, 1838
Anseriformes (DUCKS)
Anatidae
Dendrocygna
Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Nearby islands in the region.
Appearance :
The Plumed Whistling-Duck is a medium-sized duck with a distinctive plume of feathers on its head. It has a chestnut-brown body with a pale face and underparts, and it whistles rather than quacks.
Behaviour :
They are usually seen in pairs or small flocks and are known for their whistling calls, especially during flight.
Habitat :
They prefer wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and shallow lakes, often near grassy or reedy areas.
Diet :
Their diet consists mainly of aquatic vegetation, seeds, and small invertebrates.
Conservation Status :
Least Concern
Distribution :
They are found in Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and nearby islands.
Population Size :
Not precisely estimated
Life Span :
Around 5 to 10 years.
Body And Tarsus:
The Plumed Whistling-Duck has a sleek and slender body shape, typical of whistling-ducks, with long legs and necks.
Head And Bill :
The head is relatively small with a distinctive dark bill that has a slight upward curve towards the tip.
Length :
Approximately 45-53 cm (17.7-20.9 inches).
Neck :
Long and slender, characteristic of whistling-ducks.
Size :
Medium-sized duck.
Tail Details :
Short and squared-off.
Weight :
600 to 800 grams (approximately 1.3 to 1.8 pounds).
Wing :
Long and pointed.
Wing Span :
About 75-95 cm (29.5-37.4 inches).
Facial Feature :
The face is marked by distinctive dark patches around the eyes and a pale stripe running from the bill to the eye.
Nest Details :
- The nest of a Plumed Whistling-Duck is typically placed near water, constructed from grasses and reeds, lined with down feathers.
- Nest made up of: Grasses, reeds, and down feathers.
Breeding Season :
During the wet season in their habitat.
Nesting Season :
Usually coincides with the breeding period.
Egg Color :
Creamy white.
Egg Length :
Approximately 5.5-6.5 cm (2.2-2.6 inches).
Egg Width and Weight :
Around 3.5-4.0 cm (1.4-1.6 inches).
Clutch Size :
8-12 eggs per clutch.
No. of Broods :
one brood per breeding season.
Incubation Period :
26-30 days
Nestling Period :
60-70 days before fledging.
Vocalization :
Plumed Whistling-Ducks are known for their soft whistling calls, which give them their name.
Sex Demorphism :
No prominent external differences.
Migration Details :
Non-migratory Birds.
