Bird Guide

Fulvous Whistling Duck vs White-faced 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: Chloe Lynn · CC BY 4.0
White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata)

White-faced Whistling Duck

Dendrocygna viduata

Large690 gWetland

The white-faced whistling duck has a long grey bill, a long head, and longish legs. It has a black neck and head, and a distinctive white face that gives it its name, though the amount of white color visible has regional variations among the species. For example, the white-faced whistling ducks with more black coloration are commonly found in western Africa where rainfall supersedes the dry season. The back and wings are dark brown to black, and the underparts are black with a fine white barring on the flanks. The neck is chestnut. Males and females have similar plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Marcelo Schmidt Roberti · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

And 16 more countries.

Learn this pair in BeakBrain

Photo and call practice, free in any browser.

Play BeakBrain

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