Bird Guide

Fulvous Whistling Duck vs Wandering Whistling Duck

Fulvous Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)

Fulvous Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna bicolor

Large756 gWetland

The fulvous whistling duck is 45–53 cm (18–21 in) long; the male weighs 748–1,050 g (26.4–37.0 oz), and the female averages marginally lighter at 712–1,000 g (25.1–35.3 oz). The wingspan ranges from 85 to 93 cm. It is a long-legged duck, mainly different shades of brown; head, neck and breast are particularly rich buff (fulvous) with a darker back. The mantle is more darker shade of brown with buff-tipped feathers, the flight feathers and tail are dark brown, and a dark brown to black stripe runs through the center of the crown down the back of the neck to the base of the mantle.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: JeffreyGammon · CC BY 4.0
Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata)

Wandering Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna arcuata

Large796 gWetland

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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Fulvous Whistling Duck and Wandering Whistling Duck.