Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Dendrocygna autumnalis

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck is a fun bird known for its loud whistling calls! It has a black belly and a bright orange bill, making it easy to spot in the wetlands where it lives.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Black-bellied Whistling-Duck has a striking bright pink bill and long, pinkish-orange legs. Its body is mostly chestnut brown, with a distinctive black belly and large white patches on its wings visible in flight. This upright posture and unique bill color set it apart from other ducks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusDendrocygna

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck

Interesting facts

Baby whistling-ducks can jump from tree nests up to 50 feet high without getting hurt!

Families sometimes lay their eggs in one giant nest, sharing childcare duties!

Their bright pink bill makes them look like they're ready for a party!

These ducks often gather in huge groups, sometimes thousands strong!

Special abilities

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks can nest high in tree cavities, an unusual skill for ducks, keeping their eggs safe from ground predators.

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have long legs that help them walk and run easily on land, finding food away from water.

Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have strong pair bonds and both parents help incubate eggs and raise the ducklings.

Measurements & details

Length: 47-56 cm
Wingspan: 76-94 cm
Weight: 0.65-1.3 kg
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Top Speed: 65 km/h
Clutch Size: 9-18
Incubation: 27-30 days
Migration Distance: 2000 km

Diet & Feeding

These ducks mostly munch on yummy plants, seeds, and sometimes tiny insects.

Age differences: Young ducklings may eat more insects for protein before switching to a plant-based diet.

Primary Foods

aquatic plants
seeds
grains
insects
small aquatic invertebrates

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Alligator

Alligator mississippiensis

Ducklings and adults can become a meal for these large reptiles.

eats

Rice

Oryza sativa

Feeds on rice grains, sometimes impacting agricultural fields.

eats

Corn

Zea mays

Consumes corn, often found foraging in agricultural areas.

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Large raptors like owls can prey on both adult ducks and ducklings.

Traits

Feathered

Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.