White-faced Whistling Duck

NAME:

White-faced Whistling Duck

CLASS:

Aves

ORDER:

Anseriformes

GENUS:

Dendrocygna

SPECIES:

Viduata

LENGTH:

17 to 21 inches tall

WEIGHT:

20 to 30 ounces

LIFESPAN:

up to 20 years in captivity

DIET:

plants, small insects and seeds

PREDATORS:

Humans

RANGE

Tropical areas of northern South America, central to southern Africa, Madagascar and Comoro Islands.

HABITAT

A variety of freshwater, open wetland areas such as lakes, swamps, marshes. Occasionally found in small bodies of open water.

CHARACTERISTICS

The colorations of females and males are the same, with males slightly smaller than females. They are long-legged and long-necked. The white-faced whistling duck has, as its name suggests, a striking white face, black bill, black neck, and a thin black chin strap. It has a rufus colored chest, plain brown back, and lightly banded black-on-white sides. The legs and feet are black.

BEHAVIOR

Most foraging activity takes place at night. During the day the birds roost near water. Whistling ducks are more arboreal than many other species of duck, spending part of the day perched on a branch. They are fast swimmers but do not dive except for food. They generally mate for life. It vocalizes frequently with a distinctive high-pitched, multisyllabic whistle which sounds very un-duck like. Male and female calls differ slightly and may be a bonding mechanism.

REPRODUCTION

Mutual preening plays an important part in the formation of pairs and maintenance of bonds. Nests are built on the ground, usually out of grass or other vegetation. Occasionally nests may be made in a hole in a tree. Clutches consist of 6 to 12 eggs, and both partners incubate the eggs for 28 to 30 days. The ducklings are often hidden in aquatic vegetation by the parents.