White-backed Duck
Thalassornis leuconotus
A smallish, tawny, bulbous-headed duck that sits low in the water, its tail often flush with the surface, giving it a distinctive appearance. When seen well, the white patch at the base of the bill is diagnostic. The namesake white back is usually visible only in flight. Partially nomadic; small groups are found on pans and pools that have emergent aquatic vegetation, especially waterlilies. Mostly quiet; rarely gives a squeaky-toy-like “swit-swit” whistle.
Identification
These birds are well adapted for diving. On occasions they have been observed to stay under water for up to half a minute. They search especially for the bulbs of waterlilies, but also seeds and leaves of waterlilies and other water plants and the young feed on lake flies larvae as well. From danger, they also escape preferentially by diving; hence, the namesake white back is hardly visible in life.
Taxonomy
Genus: Thalassornis; Family: Anatidae; Order: Anseriformes.
- Scientific name
- Thalassornis leuconotus
- Authority
- Eyton, 1838
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Thalassornis
Range and habitat
White-backed ducks live in Africa, especially between Senegal and Chad in the west, Ethiopia in the east, and South Africa in the south. Their habitat consists of lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes where they are well camouflaged against predators.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Chestnut-bellied Euphonia
Euphonia pectoralis
Tiny bird with a strong bill. Males are glossed metallic dark blue with a chestnut belly and yellow shoulder. Females are mostly olive-green with a gray crown, throat, and central belly. Note the chestnut vent. Found in the canopy of humid forests and forest borders; often accompanying mixed-species flocks. The call is a series of rattling notes.
Black-faced Grosbeak
Caryothraustes poliogaster
Rather chunky, social bird of humid evergreen forest and edge in tropical lowlands and foothills. Usually in small and often noisy groups (at times up to 50 birds), moving at middle to upper levels in fruiting trees; not usually with mixed-species feeding flocks. Sexes look alike, with subtly attractive plumage: mustard-yellow head and breast with black face and blue-gray belly. Calls are buzzy splutters and whistles.
White-tipped Sicklebill
Eutoxeres aquila
This streaky hummingbird has a remarkably decurved bill like a Velociraptor claw. The bill shape alone distinguishes it from all hummingbirds except the very similar Buff-tailed Sicklebill, which only overlaps in some areas of the range. Look at the tail pattern to separate the two species: White-tipped is well-named with only white tips on the tail feathers, while Buff-tailed has more extensive buff on the outer tail feathers. Sicklebills are most often seen feeding on Heliconia flowers in the dark forest understory; they’re generally uncommon and fast-moving, difficult to get a look at. Does not visit feeders.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.