Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks [Dendrocygna autumnalis] are one of the oddest North American ducks. These “tree ducks” do nest in trees and will use nest boxes much like the more common Wood Ducks. However, these ducks share similarities with geese and swans with “their lack of sexual dimorphism, relatively long-term pair bonds, and lack of complex pair-forming behavior.” – Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds.
Regardless, they are handsome birds and a treat if you visit southern Texas.
Great photo! Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are also common in the warmer seasons in southeast Arizona, and are on the move across the continent, breeding now in Georgia and showing up regularly farther north on the east coast and in the midwest. Watch for them in your neighborhood soon!
What a lovely duck!
My Wife and myself travel all across the US and have seen many birds, and just knowing robins and buzzards, we are at a loss to what we are seeing, I was just passing through this site and saw the duck, amazing, I hope to see one on our way through Texas. Question, being that I am not too computer literate, and bird illiterate, what site would be the best to help learn about birds and ask questions, thank you
i have 1 or 2 pairs of these ducks that visit our farm every year. im tryin to find a way to get them to stay here. anything i can do to make them want to stay on my farm?
Christy – I would find the correct dimensions and put up duck boxes specifically for these wonderful ducks 🙂
I live in central Florida, and have a very small pond. A pair of these lovely ducks showed up about a week ago, and have stayed. I’m going to build a nest box with predator guard, and hope they stay. They don’t seem particularly shy, as they remain on the other side of the pond while I’m feeding the fish and turtles. They are wonderful.
This species has become increasingly common in our area (Marion County, Florida). They are even showing up in city retention ponds and I recently saw 28 in a pond at Tuscawilla Park just three blocks from downtown Ocala. They are extremely attractive birds and seem to get along well with other species. I have seen them swimming and feeding with Double-crested Cormorants, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and vafrious egrets and herons. Several dozen showed up at one of the Ocala City Golf Courses with young and seemed quite happy hanging out in the water hazards. They are expanding their range rapidly with several showing up in south Georga recently. Check Christmas Bird Count statistics for evidence of this species expansion.
We haven’t cut this tree in our front yard because we enjoy the yearly visits we are blessed with
I would like to share a pic of our duck friends. But don’t know how.
I live in Land O Lakes Fl. This afternoon I saw one Black belied whistling duck It was beautiful hope to see it again