Wandering Whistling-Duck
Dendrocygna arcuata
Medium-sized dark whistling-duck with cream-colored flank plumes. Unlike Plumed Whistling-Duck, these plumes do not stick out and appear painted on the flanks. Often in smaller flocks around lakes, ponds, and dams. As the name suggests, note whistling call.
Identification
Formerly named tree ducks, the wandering whistling duck has its new name because of their loud whistling calls and the whistling noise their wings make during flight. They have long necks and legs and look like a cross between a goose and a duck. They have a strong head and neck with a darker crown and hindneck. The breast contains black spotting and the feathers are mostly dark brown. They range in size from 54–60 cm in height and weigh on average 750 grams. They mainly feed on grasses, waterlilies, water plants and occasionally insects and aquatic vertebrae.
Taxonomy
There are three subspecies associated with this bird, D. a. arcuata (Indonesian wandering whistling duck), D. a. australis (Australian wandering whistling duck), and D. a. pygmaea (New Britain wandering whistling duck).
- Scientific name
- Dendrocygna arcuata
- Authority
- (Horsfield, 1824)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Dendrocygna
Range and habitat
The wandering whistling duck lives in deep lagoons, flooded grasslands or dams. They enjoy the water and rarely leave the shore. They can swim and dive with ease.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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