# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 33 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Whistling Duck ![Black-bellied Whistling-Duck](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black-bellied_Whistling_Duck%252C_Tobago%252C_Trinidad_and_Tobago_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: williamstephens56, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-bellied_Whistling_Duck%252C_Tobago%252C_Trinidad_and_Tobago_1.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Dendrocygna ## 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 - **Tree Nest Builder:** Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks can nest high in tree cavities, an unusual skill for ducks, keeping their eggs safe from ground predators. - **Leggy Walker:** Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks have long legs that help them walk and run easily on land, finding food away from water. - **Team Parent:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Ducklings and adults can become a meal for these large reptiles. - **Eats:** [Rice](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rice) (*Oryza sativa*) — Feeds on rice grains, sometimes impacting agricultural fields. - **Eats:** [Corn](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corn) (*Zea mays*) — Consumes corn, often found foraging in agricultural areas. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Large raptors like owls can prey on both adult ducks and ducklings. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-bellied Whistling-Duck? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black-bellied Whistling-Duck? 47-56 cm ### What is Black-bellied Whistling-Duck's wingspan? 76-94 cm ### How much does Black-bellied Whistling-Duck weigh? 0.65-1.3 kg ### How long does Black-bellied Whistling-Duck live? 8-10 years ### How fast can Black-bellied Whistling-Duck move? 65 km/h ### What does Black-bellied Whistling-Duck eat? These ducks mostly munch on yummy plants, seeds, and sometimes tiny insects. ### Where is Black-bellied Whistling-Duck usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Bellefontaine Cemetery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellefontaine-cemetery) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [Cape Charles Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-charles-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Convent and Academy of the Visitation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/convent-and-academy-of-the-visitation) — Alabama, US · Campus [View all places to see Black-bellied Whistling-Duck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-bellied-whistling-duck) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-bellied-whistling-duck)