Last repost, I promise… except there are a couple of good captures on this post (click it), and back when these were first taken there was:
Version IV and Version V.
If you really want to know the Latin for these waterfowl, it’s Dendrocygna autumnalis.
Known for its high-pitched whistling call, the whistling duck’s long legs and neck are reminiscent of a goose. Males and females are identical in appearance, body rust-brown with a black belly and tail. The…
Indulge me and take a look. Either link will take you to the full post.
As you can see, they’re nesting on the “ground.” Well, in this case it’s on a thick layer of duckweed, which I documented here before, striking in how much like a carpet it is. And the parents have reinforced it with some reeds and twigs.
Black-bellies nest in tree cavities and, similar…
My son and I were back at this wetland yesterday. These ducks were there, but not nesting that we could see and really not the main show like they were when these were captured. Reposting because these are moments to remember! Click either link to see full original post.
Apparently these waterfowl are a rare sight in Florida. If it wasn’t for the wetland area that’s been preserved right in the middle of urban development, my son and I would perhaps not have had the pleasure of this viewing.
Scientists consider whistling ducks more closely related to geese…
This species is not considered to be of conservation concern by the IUCN and the National Audubon Society; its global population is estimated at 1,550,000 birds. Black-bellied Whistling-duck populations are currently stable or increasing… The existence of healthy coastal wetlands greatly benefits Black-bellied whistling-ducks. [wikipedia.org]
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
If you really want to know the Latin for these waterfowl, it’s Dendrocygna autumnalis.
Known for its high-pitched whistling call, the whistling duck’s long legs and neck are reminiscent of a goose. Males and females are identical in appearance, body rust-brown with a black belly and tail. The face is gray, with a white ring around the eye, and a bright red bill and legs. In flight, the bird’s white wing-patch is visible as a stripe. [wildtexas.com]
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
Males and females look alike; juveniles are similar but have a grey bill and less contrasting belly. [wikipedia.org]
Apparently these waterfowl are a rare sight in Florida. If it wasn’t for the wetland area that’s been preserved right in the middle of urban development, my son and I would perhaps not have had the pleasure of this viewing.
Scientists consider whistling ducks more closely related to geese and swans than to the “true ducks.” With their long legs, long necks, bone structure and erect stance, they certainly look more like geese than like ducks. As with geese and swans, the plumage of both sexes of whistling ducks are very similar. They only have one molt (in contrast to two molts in the “true ducks”); both parents share in the brooding of the young; and pairs mate for life. [ducks.org]
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
As you can see, they’re nesting on the “ground.” Well, in this case it’s on a thick layer of duckweed, which I documented here before, striking in how much like a carpet it is. And the parents have reinforced it with some reeds and twigs.
Black-bellies nest in tree cavities and, similar to wood ducks, also have adapted to nesting in boxes. Where tree cavities are lacking, black-bellies will nest on the ground, often in grasses at the base of small trees or shrubs. Females lay an average of 13 eggs and both sexes incubate the eggs. Experiments have revealed that removal of either the female or the male during incubation results in abandonment of the nest. Apparently, participation of both the male and female is necessary for the nesting attempt to be successful. [ducks.org]
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
The Black-bellied Whistling-duck is quite unique among ducks in their strong monogamous pair-bond. Its pairs often stay together for many years, a trait more often associated with geese and swans. Both parents share all tasks associated with the raising of young, from incubation to the rearing of ducklings. [wikipedia.org]
© Pamir Kiciman 2010
