Black-bellied Whistling Duck

The Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) is a whistling duck which breeds in the southernmost USA and tropical Central and South America.

The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is a common but wary species. It is largely resident, apart from local movements. It usually nests in hollow trees.

The habitat is quiet freshwater lakes, cultivated land or reservoirs with plentiful vegetation, where this duck feeds mainly at night on seeds and other plant food. It is highly gregarious, forming large flocks when not breeding.

The Black-bellied Whistling Duck is 48-53 cm long. It has a long red bill, long head and longish legs, pale grey head and mostly grey-brown plumage. The belly is black and the large white wing bar is visible in flight.

All plumages are similar, except that juveniles have a grey bill and less contrasted belly.

As the name implies, these are noisy birds with a clear whistling waa-chooo call.